Understanding the Safety Standards: ANSI B56.5 vs. ANSI R15.08 for Mobile Robots and AGVs
As workplaces increasingly adopt automation, understanding the applicable safety standards for mobile robots becomes essential. Two commonly referenced standards—ANSI/ITSDF B56.5-2019 and ANSI/RIA R15.08—are often mentioned in the same breath. While they share common goals, they apply to different technologies and use cases. Here’s a breakdown of the key differences and similarities safety professionals need to know.
What Do These Standards Cover?
ANSI/ITSDF B56.5-2019 applies to driverless, automatic guided industrial vehicles (AGVs) and automated functions of manned industrial trucks. These vehicles typically follow fixed guidepaths (e.g., wires, magnets, or barcodes) in structured environments like warehouses or manufacturing floors. The standard also applies to manually operated trucks (like forklifts) that have been modified with autonomous features.
ANSI/RIA R15.08, on the other hand, covers industrial mobile robots (IMRs)—a broader category that includes Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs). These robots navigate freely using advanced sensors, cameras, and artificial intelligence. They’re designed to operate in dynamic environments, often sharing space with people.
Key Differences
Shared Safety Principles
Despite these differences, both standards emphasize human safety, risk assessment, and proper training:
Object detection systems are required to avoid collisions, with redundant safety features recommended.
Emergency stop functions must be clearly marked, easily accessible, and prevent automatic restart without manual reset.
Personnel training is critical. Both standards require verifiable training before system deployment and periodic refreshers.
Maintenance documentation and manual override procedures must be in place and follow strict manufacturer and integrator guidelines.
Which One Should You Use?
If your facility uses traditional AGVs or automated forklifts, or you're upgrading legacy systems with automated functions, ANSI/ITSDF B56.5-2019 is your reference standard.
If you're deploying AMRs that use advanced autonomy, operate around people, and adapt to their environment in real time, then ANSI/RIA R15.08 is the more appropriate framework.
Final Thoughts
Understanding the nuances between ANSI B56.5 and R15.08 helps organizations select the right technology and apply the correct safety standard. Both standards aim to reduce risk and improve safety in increasingly automated workplaces—but they reflect different generations of automation. As technology evolves, so must our safety practices.
