Glossary Updates12 new terms added to the glossaries · October 2, 2026, 22:44 CEST
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Glossary · Robotics

Robot cell

Also known as: Robotic cell, Robot work cell

German: Roboterzelle

In industrial robotics, a robot cell is one or more robots together with their end effectors, the associated machinery and equipment, the safeguarded space and the protective measures, forming a unit that performs a task. ISO 10218-2 addresses safety requirements for robot applications and robot cells.

  • Robotics
  • Standards

In one sentence

A robot cell combines robots, tools, equipment, safeguarded space and protective measures into one unit that performs a task.

Example

The robot cell for grinding castings includes the robot, a spindle, a part turntable, a perimeter fence with an interlocked door and a dust extraction unit.

How it applies

  • Engineering: The cell layout places robot, peripherals, loading stations and guards; access points for material and people are where most safety measures concentrate.
  • Compliance: The cell is usually the complete machine for which the integrator performs the Risk assessment, compiles the technical file and issues the declaration of conformity.
  • Documentation: The documentation team should document the cell as a whole: layout, operating modes, entry procedures, protective devices, recovery after faults and maintenance access. Robot and component manuals are supplied as supporting documents.

Robot cell vs. robot

A robot is a component. A robot cell is a complete application with its protective measures. Safety statements belong to the cell, because the same robot may be safe in one cell and hazardous in another.

By knowledge.aitechdoc.world · Published September 26, 2026 · Last reviewed

Source: ISO 10218-2:2025, Robotics — Safety requirements — Part 2: Industrial robot applications and robot cells

Definitions follow the cited standards and specifications. Where a source is a copyrighted publication, such as an ISO, IEC or EN standard, the definition is a close paraphrase, not a verbatim quotation, so as not to infringe copyright. We recommend reading the original publication. The sections “How it applies” are editorial commentary by AI TechDoc Knowledge and are not part of any standard.

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