Robot Safety is Now 3D: Sonair Unveils World’s First Safety-Certified 3D Ultrasonic Sensor for Human-Robot Collaboration

For years, robotic safety systems have relied on 2D laser scanners that can only detect obstacles in a single plane, leaving blind spots above and below. This limitation has become a critical bottleneck as robots become smarter and more autonomous. Sonair, a Norwegian technology company, has now introduced the ADAR One sensor—the first 3D ultrasonic sensor to achieve independent safety certification, enabling true spatial awareness for human-robot collaboration.

“The bottleneck to safe human-robot coexistence isn’t intelligence or speed. It’s safe perception; knowing reliably under any condition, that a human is nearby,” said Knut Sandven, CEO of Sonair. “This milestone certification is the first time a 3D sensor has been independently verified to meet that bar using sound instead of light—a new sensing modality that complements cameras where they fall short.”

The ADAR One sensor delivers 180°×180° 3D spatial awareness, detecting people and obstacles at all heights. Its compact, flush-mountable design allows integration into virtually any robot form factor, including humanoids, without the bulk of traditional safety systems.

Certification That Changes the Rules

ADAR One has been assessed as a human protection sensor under the demanding IEC 61496 standard for electrosensitive protection devices. It also meets IEC 61508 (functional safety for high-risk environments) and ISO 13849 (safety-related parts of control systems). The result: a SIL 2 and PL d rating, with a probability of dangerous failure below 1.5×10⁻⁷ per hour.

The certification was issued by exida, a notified body under the European Machinery Directive. Notably, ADAR One is also the first safety-certified embedded system built in the Rust programming language, chosen for its performance, safety, and reliability.

Robot Safety is Now 3D: Sonair Unveils World’s First Safety-Certified 3D Ultrasonic Sensor for Human-Robot Collaboration

A New Safety Layer for Robotics

“ADAR One does not merely replace a sensor. It introduces a new safety layer for robotics, a certified 3D perceptual foundation that sits beneath any camera, AI stack, or motion system, independently verifying that the space around a robot is safe,” Sandven explained.

The sensor is already in series production and shipping on deployed industrial robots. Over 80 global robotics companies have evaluated ADAR through Sonair’s beta program. For many, safety certification was the key requirement before committing to deployment.

Early Adoption in High-Stakes Automation

beRobox, a leader in plug-and-play palletizing and de-palletizing solutions, has signed an agreement to deploy the certified ADAR One sensor in future systems. The partnership marks certified 3D safety entering one of the most space-constrained, high-throughput areas of industrial automation.

“At beRobox, innovation is not just about developing new products. It’s about continuously integrating the best technologies available to simplify automation for our customers,” said David Demers, CEO of beRobox.

What This Means for the Industry

Robot manufacturers: Can replace costly 2D LiDAR systems with a more effective, lower-cost 3D safety solution.
System integrators: Can deploy plug-and-play ADAR One in AMRs, AGVs, and collaborative robots without special exemptions.
Humanoid OEMs: Can embed the sensor directly into a robot’s body shell, providing certified perceptual safety that no camera-and-AI stack currently offers.
End users: Warehouse and logistics providers gain certified safety architectures recognized by insurance and liability frameworks, leading to fewer incidents and greater trust.

According to QNX’s 2026 benchmark report surveying 1,000 robotics developers, 90% say physical AI is critical to their strategy, but only 29% feel confident that such systems can make safe decisions. Additionally, 66% of developers experience project delays due to certification requirements—a problem Sonair’s pre-certified sensor is designed to solve.

Availability

ADAR One is available now for autonomous robots and machine safety applications requiring SIL 2, PL d compliance. The company expects this certified 3D sensing modality to accelerate safe human-robot collaboration across industries.

The source for this article is https://www.roboticstomorrow.com/news/2026/06/30/robot-safety-is-now-3d-sonair-unveils-worlds-first-safety-certified-3d-ultrasonic-sensor-for-human-robot-collaboration/26791/.