BS ISO 18646-1-2016 PDF

Full title and description

STB BS ISO 18646-1-2016 — Robotics — Performance criteria and related test methods for service robots — Part 1: Locomotion for wheeled robots. This document defines methods for specifying and evaluating the locomotion performance of wheeled service robots operating in indoor environments, to help users, manufacturers and test laboratories describe and measure mobility characteristics in a consistent way.

Abstract

ISO 18646-1:2016 describes methods for specifying and evaluating the locomotion performance of wheeled robots in indoor environments. It defines the important performance characteristics, describes how they are specified and recommends test methods; users select which characteristics are relevant for a given robot or application.

General information

• Status: Published (International Standard, confirmed in 2021).
• Publication date: Published September 16, 2016 (Edition 1, 2016-09).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO). National/adopted editions exist (e.g., BS ISO edition distributed by BSI and national catalog entries sometimes shown under STB/other national identifiers).
• ICS / categories: 25.040.30 (Robotics).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2016).
• Number of pages: 13 pages in the ISO publication (note: some national reprints/retail copies list different page counts for their formatted editions — e.g., some vendor/BSI listings show alternate page counts).

Scope

The standard specifies test methods and performance criteria for wheeled service robots operating in indoor environments. It covers which locomotion characteristics may be specified and how they can be measured (for example, characteristics that significantly affect performance), and it is intended to facilitate clear communication of mobility performance between manufacturers, users and test laboratories. It does not mandate a fixed subset of tests — users select relevant characteristics for their purpose.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of locomotion performance characteristics relevant to wheeled indoor robots (examples: straight-line and path-following accuracy, speed/velocity characteristics, manoeuvrability, turning behaviour and stability).
• Recommended test methods and measurement procedures for the selected characteristics to ensure repeatable, comparable results across platforms and test labs.
• Guidance on test parameters and environmental conditions to be reported (so comparisons use consistent test cubes, loads, speeds and paths where required).
• Notes on selecting which characteristics to test depending on intended use (prototype testing, type testing, acceptance testing, or product specification).

Typical use and users

Manufacturers of wheeled service robots, system integrators, independent test laboratories, procurement/specification teams and research groups use this standard to define, measure and compare locomotion performance. It is used to create consistent product specifications, perform acceptance testing and support claims about mobile capability in indoor environments.

Related standards

ISO 18646 is a multi‑part series addressing performance criteria and test methods for service robots (other parts address navigation, manipulation and specific robot types). Related and complementary standards include ISO 18646-2 (Navigation), ISO 18646-3 (Manipulation), ISO 18646-4 (Lower-back support robots), and other robotics standards such as ISO 8373 (robotics vocabulary) and sector-specific safety standards (ISO 10218 series, ISO/TS 15066).

Keywords

service robots, wheeled robots, locomotion, mobility performance, test methods, indoor navigation, performance criteria, benchmarking.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 18646-1:2016 (published internationally in September 2016) is Part 1 of the ISO 18646 series; it provides performance criteria and test methods specifically for the locomotion of wheeled service robots in indoor environments.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers which locomotion characteristics are important to describe and gives recommended test procedures and reporting elements so that locomotion performance can be specified and measured in a repeatable, comparable manner. It is intended as guidance for selecting and performing tests rather than an exhaustive mandatory test list.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Robot manufacturers, integrators, test laboratories, procurement/specification teams and researchers use the standard to define test methods, run performance evaluations and prepare product specifications or acceptance tests.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The ISO record shows ISO 18646-1:2016 was published in 2016 and the publication was reviewed and confirmed in 2021, so the 2016 edition remains the current ISO version. National adopted editions (for example BS ISO 18646-1:2016) are available via national bodies. Users should check their national standards body for the current national status.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ISO 18646 is a multi-part series addressing performance criteria and test methods for service robots; other parts cover navigation, manipulation and other robot classes or capabilities. Parties using locomotion tests often refer to other parts in the series for complementary coverage.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Key keywords include: locomotion, wheeled robot, service robot, performance criteria, test methods, indoor mobility, benchmarking.