Development and Certification of Explosion-Proof Collaborative Robots: A Pathway for Modernizing the Army’s Energetic Industrial Base

The Department of Defense (DoD) supply chain for armaments and ammunition is facing significant challenges due to aging and deteriorating infrastructure. Modernization of this infrastructure is essential, particularly through the integration of collaborative robots (cobots) that can operate safely in hazardous environments. The primary objective of this proposal is to develop a domestic pathway to modify and certify collaborative robots as explosion-proof, ensuring their safe deployment in environments where flammable vapors, liquids, and dusts are present. This project will include a comprehensive evaluation of various collaborative robotic solutions to identify the most effective and feasible methods for achieving explosion-proof certification. The evaluation will encompass Proxie, a versatile and adaptable collaborative robot developed by Collaborative Robotics Inc., as well as other potential robotic systems. This approach ensures that the DoD can leverage the most advanced automation technologies available, enhancing operational safety, efficiency, and scalability. The successful implementation of this pathway will directly contribute to the modernization of the DoD’s production capabilities, enabling a more responsive and resilient national defense infrastructure.