ISO 8373:2021

Overview

ISO 8373:2021 - Robotics - Vocabulary is the third-edition ISO standard that provides a harmonized vocabulary for robotics. Its primary purpose is to define terms used in relation to robots, robotic devices and robotic technology so that ISO and industry documents, standards, technical reports and specifications use consistent language. The 2021 edition updates and expands the 2012 edition, adding entries such as medical robot, wearable robot and terms related to modularity, and aligns definitions with other standards.

Key Topics

The standard organizes terminology across core technical areas:

• General terms: robot, autonomy, robotic technology, control system, robotic device, industrial robot, service robot, medical robot.
• Mechanical structure: actuator, link, joint (prismatic/rotary), manipulator, arm, wrist, base, end-effector, gripper, mobile platform, wearable robot.
• Geometry & kinematics: axis, degree of freedom, pose, forward kinematics, inverse kinematics.
• Programming & control: task program, operator, task programmer, human–robot interaction (HRI), collaboration, robot cooperation.
• Performance, sensing & navigation: performance metrics, sensing modalities and navigation concepts are defined to support consistent use across documents.
• Modularity: definitions for modules and configurations to support modular robot design.

The document includes an informative Annex with examples of mechanical structures and an alphabetical index for quick lookup. It contains no normative references.

Practical Applications

ISO 8373:2021 is a foundational reference for anyone creating, using or regulating robotic systems:

• Ensures consistent terminology in technical specifications, safety standards and procurement documents.
• Supports engineers and integrators when writing design documents, requirements, test plans and user manuals.
• Aids standard writers and regulators to harmonize definitions across related standards (for example ISO 10218 for industrial robot systems).
• Useful for researchers, educators and legal/compliance teams to reduce ambiguity in reports, standards and certification materials.

Who Uses This Standard

• Robotics and automation engineers
• System integrators and manufacturers
• Standards developers and technical committees
• Safety and compliance engineers
• Procurement specialists and specification writers
• Researchers and educators in robotics and mechatronics

Related Standards

• ISO 10218-2 (robot system requirements and safety for industrial robots) - referenced in ISO 8373 for robot system context
• ISO 9409-1 / ISO 9409-2 (mechanical interface standards) - referenced for mechanical interface definitions
• IEC/TR 60601-4-1 (examples of autonomy metrics for medical electrical equipment) - referenced for autonomy context

Keywords: ISO 8373:2021, robotics vocabulary, robot definitions, industrial robot, service robot, wearable robot, manipulator, end-effector, forward kinematics, inverse kinematics, robot terminology.