A 3D safety certification enables defining protective zones in actual volume around machines, allowing the removal of physical cages and enabling safer, closer collaboration between humans and robots.

However, a major bottleneck remains: safety systems lag behind robot capabilities, as current 2D laser-based sensors struggle in dynamic real-world environments.

The shift toward 3D safety is presented as a fundamental industry change, creating a trustworthy baseline for all robots and AI systems beyond relying on perception improvements alone.

The global collaborative robot market has surged—from about $100 million in 2012 to $2.9 billion in 2025— with forecasts to reach $4.0 billion in 2026 and $17.2 billion by 2033, yet roughly 89% of industrial robots remained caged in 2023.

Perception-based safety claims are insufficient; safety must be a separate, certified function with predictable, verifiable outcomes, grounded in physical laws to bound worst‑case responses.

The move from cages to collaborative human-robot environments is driven by the need for closer operation and the shortcomings of traditional safety systems.

The core message is that the breakthrough lies in trustworthy safety frameworks integrated from the start, not just smarter robots.

Sonair Robotics’ 3D safety layer leverages Acoustic Detection and Range (ADAR) sensors to deliver real-time 3D vision, enabling certification of 3D ultrasonic sensing and shifting safety from 2D planes to 3D volumes.