Spot monitors its sensors and can automatically pause movement or remove power from motors in certain situations:
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Signal loss: After 3 seconds without controller communication, Spot will sit. After 8 seconds without communication, Spot will turn off its motors. See Loss of Connection to the Controller.
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Fall detection: When Spot detects a fall, motors are immediately de-energized. Legs will not actively flail or remain stiff under contact.
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Low battery: When Spot’s batteries reach critically low levels, Spot will sit and turn off its motors.
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Controller input: Commands to stop or de-energize Spot can be sent from a robot control device.
Warning
If Spot is on stairs when an operational stop would occur, it may attempt to exit the staircase before performing the operational stop depending on the settings in the Robot Controls panel (see Spot App Menus and General Controls). This may result in automatic locomotion up or down the staircase, overriding other locomotion commands.
Do not stand on stairs, below open rails, or within 2 meters of the bottom of a staircase where Spot is active.
Notice
Spot can detect falls that unexpectedly occur. De-energization of legs during falls minimizes damage from the fall and prevents new hazards or bigger risks, such as further stumbling. This behavior is called “smart freeze.”
Spot can be stopped by interfacing an external safe input signal to the payload port.
The stopping function will result in a de-energization of all motors (Stop Cat. 0 EN IEC 60204‑1).
Warning
When motors are de-energized, Spot will lose its ability to stand and balance. On flat ground, Spot will lower its body. On inclined surfaces or stairs, Spot may tip over.
The maximum response time for the stopping function is 200 ms.
Safe inputs for activating and triggering the stopping function are located on the payload ports as follows:
|
Item |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Safe input location (See figure below) |
I1 = pin 19 |
|
Interface |
Use only one port, either front or rear. See example in figure below. Spot will not work without a cap or a properly configured payload connected to each port. When a cap is used, the stopping function is disabled. |
|
Safe input default connection |
6‑19 pair normally closed (NC). |
|
Type of stop |
Stop Category 0 (IEC 60204‑1) when contact on I1 is opened. |
|
Stopping safety function |
Implemented in accordance with ISO 13849‑1:2023, of Category 1 and performance level c. The PFHD is 1.1E‑6/hr. |
|
Reset |
6‑19 pair is closed. |
|
Restart |
Enable power following commands on the manual controller or issued from programs. |
|
Environment |
The safety-related part of the control system operates within the same environment limits established for Spot. |
Payload port external signal interface for protective stop.
Warning
Use safety-related inputs only for connection to safeguards or emergency stop devices. Do not interface with non safety-related signals.
On flat ground, a safety-related stop will result in a maximum stopping distance of 1 meter. On uneven or sloped surfaces, the stopping distance could be augmented by Spot’s motion under gravity and will depend on factors such as the slope or unevenness of the walking surface. For more information, refer to Spot Instructions for Use, available at Spot Product Safety.
Notice
The E-Stop button applies only to Spot model number 04‑00143531‑401and 04‑00143531‑501. Information about additional Emergency Stop devices applies to all models.
 |
Spot's E-Stop button. Press firmly to activate; twist clockwise to release (unlatch).
Spot includes an Emergency Stop (E-Stop) button located at the top right rear corner of its body.
When pressed, the E-Stop button triggers the safety-related stop, resulting in an Emergency Stop function compliant with ISO 13850. Spot will not resume operations until a deliberate reset and restart procedure is initiated (see Stop and Restart Spot's Motors).
Spot can be optionally fitted with additional Emergency Stop devices that comply with the same standard. Any additional Emergency Stop input device must meet the requirements of the safe input interface on the payload port as described previously.
The Emergency Stop function is NOT a primary protective measure in any situation, and is manually activated. It should be used only when an immediate emergency cannot otherwise be resolved, for instance in case of accidental entrapment or insufficient clearances.
Warning
The Emergency Stop function must be used only when you have full visibility of Spot and its surroundings. A manually activated Emergency Stop will override any active control, and therefore could determine additional hazards if it causes a forced loss of stability (refer to Spot Instructions for Use available at Spot Product Safety).
Caution
Always try to anticipate and escape entrapment conditions.
Do not activate the Emergency Stop function for routine interventions or as a means for a normal stop.