A manual feed apparatus of a robot comprises an interference calculation apparatus configured to calculate an operable range in which the robot can operate without causing interference. The interference calculation apparatus includes an operation range setting part configured to judge a position at which the robot can operate without interfering with a peripheral object and set the operable range. The operation range setting part calculates the operable range during a period when the robot is stopped. The interference calculation apparatus calculates an operation allowable range in a direction in which the robot operates based on the operable range. The robot control apparatus executes control for reducing a speed of the robot when the operation allowable range is smaller than a predetermined judgement value.

A method for controlling a robot in at least one pose of the robot wherein the robot can be operated in either a first mode of operation or a second mode of operation. In the second mode of operation the robot can be moved by manually applying a guiding force to the robot. The method includes determining a distance of a state variable of the robot from a first limit and then triggering a safety response when the distance satisfies a first condition and the robot is operating in the first mode of operation. When the robot is operating in the second mode of operation and the distance satisfies the first condition, the method includes not triggering the safety response, and motorically applying a positioning force to the robot in dependence on the determined distance so that the distance can be reduced when the robot is unobstructed.

A manual feed apparatus of a robot comprises an interference calculation apparatus configured to calculate an operable range in which the robot can operate without causing interference. The interference calculation apparatus includes an operation range setting part configured to judge a position at which the robot can operate without interfering with a peripheral object and set the operable range. The operation range setting part calculates the operable range during a period when the robot is stopped. The interference calculation apparatus calculates an operation allowable range in a direction in which the robot operates based on the operable range. The robot control apparatus executes control for reducing a speed of the robot when the operation allowable range is smaller than a predetermined judgement value.