Theory 040/Robotics & Autonomy
Safety Is an Energy Ratio
The claim
Robot safety certification thresholds are set by the ratio of kinetic energy to impact area rather than by mass or speed alone.
01The mechanism
Injury severity depends on pressure at impact, which is energy divided by contact area; two robots at the same speed differ by their end effector.
02Predictions
- P1Injury severity should track the ratio.
- P2Lighter robots with small effectors should be riskier.
03Refutation
Severity tracking mass would remove the area term.