Sensory Robotics Develops Fenceless Safety System
The Cincinnati-based company created a new safety technology that uses 3D cameras to protect workers around robotic systems.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Robotics
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Sensory Robotics has developed the SR-1, a fenceless safety system designed to monitor industrial workspaces using 3D Time-of-Flight cameras. This innovation aims to increase production efficiency by replacing the physical barriers traditionally required to separate human workers from machinery.
Why it matters
Traditional hard guarding requires significant floor space and often restricts manufacturing flexibility. By using virtual models to monitor work cells, companies can enhance safety without sacrificing the production efficiency needed in modern industrial environments.
The SR-1 system uses between four and eight 3D Time-of-Flight cameras to detect objects as small as 2 inches (50 millimeters) moving at speeds up to 2 meters per second. The system processes these inputs to achieve a total reaction time of 250 milliseconds.
The players
Sensory Robotics
This is a Cincinnati-based technology firm that specializes in the development of robotics safety systems.
The details
The SR-1 utilizes 3D Time-of-Flight cameras to construct a virtual representation of the work cell, while edge computers calculate robot kinematics in real time. By continuously updating this model using orientation data, the system can identify potential hazards without the need for physical fences.
Timeline
Between 2011 and 2019, robot adoption increased across European industries.
The Tech Race
The SR-1 system follows the pattern set by documented safety improvements in automated industrial environments, extending the trend of integrating advanced sensors into manufacturing. This shift represents a departure from static safety measures toward dynamic, software-defined work environments.
For industrial workers, the shift toward fenceless systems improves visibility and ease of movement within the production floor. Manufacturers can expect enhanced operational flexibility and potential workflow improvements by eliminating the need for space-consuming safety barriers.
The takeaway
Fenceless safety systems demonstrate how high-speed sensor technology can bridge the gap between human presence and robotic automation. By adopting these virtual monitoring tools, facilities can move toward more fluid and collaborative industrial layouts.
Further reading
For more on the evolution of automated workplace safety, see Robotics.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Machine Design.
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