The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO) are working together, along with government and industry, to create the first ever joint industry guidance for collaborative robotics in the workplace.

The project was launched at London Tech Week.

The guidance will give companies clarity on regulatory requirements, and support businesses to increase the use of robotics.

HSE will work with Automate UK and the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) to create practical guidance on how collaborative robots (cobots) can safely work alongside humans.

The first stage of the project will launch this summer and aims to deliver regulatory clarity for cobots and give industry confidence on how they can ensure robots can work safely alongside humans.

Andrew Curran CBE, Director of Science and Chief Scientific Adviser at HSE, said: “We recognise how guidance and advice can give employers the confidence to innovate safely and provide a platform for new technology to improve productivity and enable growth.

“We understand that despite there being no barrier to adoption in health and safety law there is a fear of non-compliance, which is limiting adoption. Therefore, we are committed to working with the Regulatory Innovation Office and industry partners to deliver the first joint HSE and industry guidance on the use of cobots to address this barrier and improve business confidence.”