On June 16 and 17, 2026, the European humanoid community will gather in Munich for the EMEA Humanoid Summit.
Synapticon will be presenting a keynote speech:
Dieter Volpert will discuss a question that has been asked far too rarely in the industry so far—what actually happens when a humanoid robot falls?
Industrial robots are safe because they operate behind fences. Humanoids cannot do this. As soon as they enter warehouses, hospitals, and public spaces, the traditional safety toolkit—safety fences, Safe Torque Off, and emergency stop—no longer applies. A bipedal robot that simply cuts off its torque in the event of a malfunction will tip over. Safety for humanoids therefore does not mean coming to a standstill, but rather controlled behavior—including guided, safe falling.
This is exactly where the talk comes in. In a presentation titled "Safe Guided Falling - Why Humanoid Safety Cannot Wait," Dieter Volpert explains why functional safety for humanoids must be approached at the system level and what components are required to achieve this.
All three pillars are aimed at achieving SIL3 / PLe certification—from a prototype to a humanoid that can leave the cage and remain outside. The technical foundation for this is provided by Synapticon’s POSITRON Safety Platform, which integrates certified functional safety directly into the drive level rather than adding it as an afterthought.
Are you attending the EMEA Humanoid Summit in Munich? If so, stop by and talk to us about safe movement for humanoids. We look forward to chatting with you.
