Openarm Safety Information
Last updated: Feb 9, 2026
OpenArm is an open, research-oriented robotic arm platform designed for education, research, and prototyping.
It is not a consumer product and is not certified for industrial or safety-critical deployment.
Improper use may result in injury, equipment damage, or property loss.
By using OpenArm, you acknowledge and agree to follow the safety guidelines outlined below.
1. Intended Use
OpenArm is intended for:
Robotics research and experimentation
Education and training
Algorithm development, simulation-to-real transfer, and benchmarking
Controlled laboratory or workshop environments
OpenArm is not intended for:
Medical, surgical, or healthcare applications
Safety-critical or life-support systems
Industrial automation involving human co-working without additional certified safety systems
Autonomous operation in uncontrolled public environments
2. General Safety Guidelines
Always operate OpenArm in a controlled environment with clear workspace boundaries.
Keep hands, hair, clothing, and loose objects away from moving joints and end effectors.
Never place any part of the body within the arm’s reachable workspace while it is powered and enabled.
Ensure the arm is securely mounted before operation.
Do not exceed the specified payload, speed, or torque limits.
3. Power and Emergency Control
Use only the recommended power supply and electrical specifications.
Ensure that an emergency stop (E-stop) or equivalent software/hardware kill switch is available and tested before operation.
Always be prepared to immediately disable power in case of unexpected motion.
Disconnect power before mechanical adjustments, maintenance, or hardware modifications.
4. Software and Control Risks
OpenArm supports low-level and high-level control interfaces. Improper software commands may cause unexpected motion.
Always test new control code at low speed and low torque.
Avoid deploying unverified control algorithms on physical hardware.
Simulation and staged testing are strongly recommended before real-world execution.
Remote or autonomous operation should be supervised at all times.
5. Sensors, End Effectors, and Modifications
Custom end effectors, sensors, or hardware modifications may introduce additional risks.
Ensure all attachments are mechanically secure and properly calibrated.
Modified systems may invalidate default safety assumptions and require additional safeguards.
The user assumes full responsibility for any modifications or integrations.
6. Human-in-the-Loop and Data Collection Use
When OpenArm is used for teleoperation, imitation learning, or data collection:
Operators must be trained and familiar with the system behavior.
Human demonstrations should be performed at conservative speeds.
Data collection sessions should include explicit start/stop procedures and supervision.
7. Responsibility and Liability
OpenArm is provided “as is”, without warranties of any kind.
The user is solely responsible for:
Ensuring safe operation
Compliance with local laws, regulations, and institutional safety requirements
Any injury, damage, or loss resulting from use or misuse
Robotics Center, OpenArm contributors, and affiliated partners shall not be held liable for any direct or indirect damages arising from use of the system.
8. Acknowledgement
By operating OpenArm, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to comply with this safety information.
If you are unsure about any aspect of safe operation, do not power on the system and contact the Robotics Center team for guidance.