Overview
ISO 18646-1:2016 - "Robotics - Performance criteria and related test methods for service robots - Part 1: Locomotion for wheeled robots" defines methods for specifying and evaluating the locomotion performance of wheeled service robots in indoor environments. The standard establishes common terminology, test conditions and repeatable test procedures so manufacturers, test laboratories and buyers can measure and compare mobility characteristics such as rated speed, stopping distance, slope capability and turning width.
Key Topics and Requirements
- Scope and terminology: Precise definitions for terms such as robot, service robot, mobile robot, wheeled robot, mobile platform, rated load, rated speed, stopping distance and turning width (based on ISO 8373 definitions where applicable).
- Test conditions: Requirements for preparation and environmental control during tests:
- Ambient temperature: 10 °C to 30 °C
- Relative humidity: 0 % to 80 %
- Travel surface: hard, even surface with coefficient of friction 0.75 to 1.0 (measured per ISO 7176-13)
- Tests performed under normal operating conditions with the platform equipped with the rated load and at the rated speed, unless otherwise specified.
- Performance tests and metrics (each with purpose, test facility, procedure and result reporting):
- Rated speed - measuring maximum speed under rated load
- Stopping characteristics - stopping distance and behavior
- Maximum slope angle and maximum speed on the slope - uphill/downhill capability and safe operational speeds
- Mobility over the sill - ability to traverse thresholds or small obstacles
- Turning width (including reverse, U-turn, three-point and L-turn widths) - manoeuvrability in constrained spaces
Applications and Who Uses This Standard
- Manufacturers use ISO 18646-1 to specify product performance, validate design targets and produce repeatable test reports for marketing and compliance.
- Independent test labs adopt the standard for standardized performance verification and benchmarking.
- System integrators and fleet operators rely on the defined metrics to select robots suited to indoor environments (warehouses, hospitals, offices, hospitality).
- Procurement teams and end users use standardized results for fair comparison during purchasing and acceptance testing.
- Researchers and regulators benefit from a consistent framework for evaluating mobility-related performance claims.
Related Standards (if applicable)
- ISO 8373 (robot terminology and classification) - source of many definitions.
- ISO 7176-13 - referenced method for measuring coefficient of friction of travel surfaces.
- ISO 18646 series - ISO 18646-1 is Part 1; other parts in the series address additional service-robot performance criteria.
Keywords: ISO 18646-1, wheeled robots, locomotion performance, service robots, indoor environments, test methods, rated speed, stopping distance, turning width, slope capability.