What Does the Latest ISO 10218 Safety Update Mean for Robot Manufacturers?

Industrial robotics is poised for a pivotal transformation as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) prepares a significant update to ISO 10218, the global standard governing the design and integration of industrial robots. Set for release in 1Q 2025, this update—marking the first in over a decade—will demand compliance from both Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and Systems Integrators (SIs). It aims to harmonize global safety requirements, enhance cross-regional adoption, and future-proof robot deployments in increasingly complex and human-centric environments.

Market Overview

As automation proliferates in the manufacturing and service domains, the need for consistent, scalable safety frameworks is critical. The forthcoming update to ISO 10218 reflects this urgency by extending the standard to align with related ISO and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) safety standards. These harmonizations will compel OEMs to reassess and, in many cases, redesign hardware components, software architecture, and robot controllers. For SIs, standardized risk assessments will shape safety system integration practices and component selection.

Chipsets, hypervisors, and Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOSs) must now be safety-certified for critical functions, requiring tighter coordination across software and hardware supply chains. This shift is expected to accelerate the deployment timeline for safety-compliant robot systems, while lowering regional certification friction.

“Harmonization between the ISO/IEC standards and national requirements enable compliant robot products to be sold, rapidly certified, and easily adopted across many regions—it is commercially imperative that robotics OEMs comply with international standards.” - George Chowdhury, Industry Analyst

Impact on Safety-Critical Software and Hardware

The revised ISO 10218 standard emphasizes the role of safety-certified software and hardware in achieving acceptable Safety Integrity Levels (SILs) and Performance Levels (PLs). Robot controllers and safety controllers, typically operating on distinct RTOS platforms, must now be evaluated holistically. Safety controllers—often managing environmental sensors—will play a greater executive role, overseeing safety processes across integrated systems.

Hypervisors are also gaining traction in industrial robotics as they enable the execution of complex, parallel workloads aboard drones. These systems orchestrate mission-critical operations, balancing safety and performance requirements. OEMs often prefer proprietary RTOSs, while SIs rely on open-source or commercially licensed platforms for secondary orchestration tasks. This duality reflects a trade-off between flexibility, cost, and lifecycle support.

Learn how closed-loop Artificial Intelligence (AI) software is helping manufacturers scale their robotics deployments in the following articles:

• When AI Meets Robotics
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Open Source Versus Proprietary Software: A Shifting Balance

In collaborative, industrial, and mobile robot installations, open-source hypervisors and RTOSs are widely adopted due to their low cost and adaptability. However, this is set to change. As robot tasks grow more complex and interactions with humans become routine—in applications like healthcare and domestic robotics—the need for trust and standardization will increase. Over time, this will favor proprietary and commercially licensed software that promises longevity, vendor support, and rigorous certification paths.

In the short term, open-source usage will expand as vendors seek rapid market entry with minimal Capital Expenditure (CAPEX). But the medium-to-long-term trajectory suggests a pivot toward standardized, certifiable software that simplifies maintenance, risk management, and regulatory approval.

Regional Standards and Testing Bodies: Converging Compliance

ISO 10218’s global impact will be mediated through regional standards bodies and national enforcement agencies. For instance, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) adapts standards in North America, while the European Union (EU) aligns with the Machinery Directive. Safety certifications are validated by testing authorities such as TÜV in Europe and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) in the United States. These bodies assess whether products meet ISO/International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)-defined SIL and PL benchmarks.

System Integrators (SIs) will acquire direct accreditation to certify installations, streamlining the deployment process. In cases where software components are already certified to required PLs, the certification of the complete robot system is significantly expedited. This creates a compelling business case for software vendors to pursue early certification.

Updated Scope: ISO 10218-1 and ISO 10218-2

The revised 10218 standard will retain its two-part structure:

• ISO 10218-1: Targets OEMs and specifies requirements for incomplete machines, such as robot controllers and drive systems.
• ISO 10218-2: Focuses on SIs and outlines the criteria for complete robotic solutions, including the mandate for formal risk assessments.

These risk assessments will increasingly reference related ISO and IEC standards:

• ISO 13849: Governs safety controllers, Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), and relays.
• IEC 61496: Applies to light curtains, safety Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), and cameras.
• ISO 13857: Covers safety distances, including fencing and guard systems.

Together, these standards form a tightly interlinked safety framework for robotics development, underscoring the importance of pre-certified components and rigorous systems engineering.

Key Companies and Organizations Covered

• Veo Robotics (acquired by Symbiotic)
• Siemens
• Roundpeg
• 3Laws
• Rockwell Automation
• QNX
• Wind River
• PILZ
• SICK

Get the full report

The revision of ISO 10218 represents a watershed moment for industrial robotics. Download the full report to explore the upcoming changes in detail and understand how safety standard harmonization will shape the future of compliant, scalable, and intelligent robot systems.