# Safety

This section contains the main safety instructions for Honey Badger 5.0 operation, handling, and maintenance.

> Read this page before powering on or operating the robot.

```{note}
The `Honey Badger 5.0` is a powerful mobile robot equipped with electric actuators, batteries, sensors,
and onboard computers. Incorrect operation may result in injury, damage to the robot or damage to the
surrounding environment.
```

## General safety rules

- Operate the robot only after reading this manual.
- Keep hands, tools, loose clothing, and cables away from the robot legs.
- Do not touch the legs or joints while the robot is powered on or enabled.
- Always keep distance of at least 1 m between the operating robot and people, animals, stairs, fragile objects, or moving objects.
- Do not leave the robot operating unattended; an operator should always be within line of sight of the operating robot.
- Do not exceed the specified payload, speed, or operating limits.
- Stop the robot immediately if unexpected behavior occurs.

## Operator responsibilities

The operator is responsible for safe preparation, supervision, and shutdown of the robot.

Before operation, the operator must:

- inspect the robot for visible damage,
- check that the battery is properly installed,
- ensure that the operating area is clear,
- confirm that all required software and communication systems are working,
- make sure that all nearby people are aware that the robot may move.

During operation, the operator must:

- supervise the robot at all times,
- maintain a safe distance from the robot,
- be ready to activate the emergency stop,
- monitor the robot state and battery level,
- stop operation if the robot behaves unexpectedly.

## Operating environment

Operate the robot only in environments suitable for its current configuration and software version.

Do not operate the robot:

- on unstable, slippery, or wet surfaces,
- near stairs, ledges, holes, or drop-offs,
- in public areas without proper supervision and safety measures,
- near moving vehicles or machinery,
- in rain, snow, or standing water unless the robot is explicitly configured for such conditions,
- in explosive or flammable environments,
- outside the specified temperature and humidity limits.

## Mechanical hazards

The robot legs contain powerful moving joints. The legs may move suddenly during startup, calibration, recovery, or operation.

```{warning}
Keep hands, fingers, tools, and loose objects away from the legs and joints whenever the robot is powered on.
```

Do not:

- place hands between leg segments,
- lift or carry the robot by its legs,
- stand close to the robot during startup or recovery,
- attempt to stop leg motion by hand,
- perform mechanical adjustments while the robot is enabled.

Below is an image highlighting mechanical pinch points - avoid touching the robot near these at all times.

```{figure} ./img/robot_pinch_points.png
:alt: hb50_pinch_points
:class: bg-primary mb-1
:align: center
:class: no-scaled-link
```

## Electrical and battery safety

```{warning}
Honey Badger uses high capacity Lithium based battery pack. If operated incorrectly or outside guidelines specified 
in this manual, the battery can be a fire hazard.
```

The robot's battery is a specialized piece of equipment, unsuitable for use outside of the Honey Badger system. To avoid damage and hazardous conditions:

- use only approved batteries and chargers,
- do not use damaged, swollen, leaking, or overheated batteries,
- do not short-circuit battery terminals,
- do not connect or disconnect the battery if the robot is wet or water is present nearby,
- do not connect or disconnect the battery with wet hands,
- do not charge the battery unattended,
- do not operate the robot with damaged power cables or connectors,
- disconnect power before maintenance, unless the procedure explicitly requires power,
- after disconnecting the battery, secure the battery connector with the dedicated plug.

## Safe handling and lifting

The robot is heavy and may be difficult to handle by one person.

- Power off the robot before lifting or transporting it.
- Disable the actuators before handling the robot.
- Carry the robot only by the main body or designated carrying points.
- Do not lift the robot by the legs, sensors, connectors, cables, or payload.
- Use two people or lifting equipment if required by the robot weight.
- Remove the battery before transport if required by the transport procedure.

### Manual handling and repositioning

When moving or turning the robot by hand, always ensure it is powered off or in a safe idle state. The robot must not be handled while the actuators are enabled, as this can lead to unexpected motion or injury.

The illustration below shows a recommended belly-to-back repositioning move. Use this method only when the robot is powered off or safely idle.

```{note}
Always use an overhand grip when holding the robot legs. Keep your fingers away from gaps between mechanical parts, as they may cause crushing injuries.
```

```{figure} ./img/flip.png
:alt: belly-to-back turn of the robot by hand
:width: 70%
:align: center
:class: bg-primary mb-1 no-scaled-link
```

```{warning}
Lifting the robot when Standing or Walking (using any gait) can result in unexpected and rapid legs movements.
Never lift the robot while in Active balance mode!
```