Safety in the Future

As more and more machines are integrated into the factory automation and logistic automation, mobility and healthcare processes, the need to ensure safe procedures for people working with machines is increasing. The Internet of Things (IoT), big data, advanced robotics and especially artificial intelligence (AI) are all transforming the connection between electrotechnical systems and people. While AI can dramatically improve efficiency in the workplace and can augment the capacity of human performance, the question arises: will machines become super-intelligent, leading humans eventually to lose control? Though the probability of such a scenario with possible additional risks is subject to debate, we do know that unforeseen consequences for humans always emerge when new technology is introduced. Consequently, more than at any moment in the past, it is critical to ensure that human safety be placed at the centre of the new human-machine relationship.