Enhancing Dependability of Industrial Robots: Security and Safety Assessments Based on Model-Driven Engineering

Industrial robot systems are safety-critical due to the potential for failure, resulting in economic loss and human injury. These systems are often connected to the internet, exposing them to unprecedented cyber-security risks that can lead to safety hazards and system failures. Therefore, combining safety and security assessments is essential to enhance dependability of such systems. In this paper, we provide a methodology based on model-driven engineering which supports dependability in the early stages of robot development. In particular, we demonstrate: (1) how model-based design, security and safety combined analysis, and formal verification can be utilized to achieve this goal; and (2) how appropriate models for these approaches can be developed and validated. Our method is demonstrated on a conveyor belt robot use case provided by our industrial partners.