Protecting people, meeting standards, and enabling smarter machines.
As factories, warehouses, and mobile machines become smarter and more autonomous, one thing remains constant: safety comes first. Functional safety, the principle that machines must respond predictably and reliably to protect people and processes, is no longer a niche concern. It’s now central to innovation, regulation, and competitiveness across industries.
The human factor: protecting people in complex environments
Today’s industrial environments are more dynamic than ever. People work side-by-side with robots, AGVs, and autonomous machinery. These machines are faster, more powerful, and increasingly independent, which means the risks are greater, too.
Functional safety ensures that when something goes wrong, machines don’t fail dangerously. Instead, they enter a safe state. Whether it’s an automated vehicle performing a controlled stop or a robotic arm halting mid-cycle, these safeguards prevent accidents before they happen.
The business factor: meeting standards and market demands
It’s not just about compliance, though compliance is essential. Regulations such as IEC 61508, ISO 13849-1, and the EU Machinery Regulation 2023/1230 require certified safety functions for machines entering European and global markets. Without these certifications, companies risk delays, recalls, or even exclusion from key markets.
But forward-looking manufacturers see functional safety as more than a box-ticking exercise. By considering safety from the very beginning, starting with hazard and risk analysis, they can design machines that are adaptable to evolving standards and future demands. Networked safety plays a key role, enabling support for multiple protocols with minimal effort while helping reduce development time and simplify certification.
Figure 1. EU and USA safert standards.
The innovation factor: enabling autonomy and efficiency
Safety and productivity don’t have to be in conflict. In fact, networked safety can unlock new opportunities for efficiency. While traditional safety systems often shut down entire machines, modern networked safety functions enable the PLC to stop only the necessary parts, minimizing downtime.
Advanced safety functions offer even more benefits. Safe Stop 1 (SS1-t), for example, enables machines to perform a controlled ramp-down before stopping. Instead of an abrupt halt that stresses equipment, you get a smoother, safer stop that protects both people and machinery. Similarly, SafeBound™ combines local and remote safety signals without the need for additional safety logic or a safety PLC, enabling smarter system design and more efficient operation. These innovations are paving the way for autonomous machines that are not only safe, but optimized for uptime and flexibility.
Looking ahead: safety as a foundation for trust
At its core, functional safety is about trust. Workers must trust that the machines around them will protect them. Businesses must trust that their systems meet evolving standards. And customers must trust that they are buying equipment built for the future.
That’s why functional safety matters: it’s not just a technical requirement. It’s the foundation for safe innovation, sustainable growth, and human-centered automation.
Learn more about HMS’ functional safety solutions here:
About the author
Stefan Kraus is the Functional Safety Product Manager at HMS Networks. Stefan has over 20 years of experience in industrial communication and has specialized within functional safety since 2012.