Bridging the Hype Cycle of Collaborative Robot Applications

Abstract

This paper investigates manufacturing companies' current and planned usage of collaborative robots along with possible reasons for the observed slow growth in implementing Collaborative Robot Applications (CRAs) in the industry. The paper also discusses whether similarities can be seen in the Gartner Hype Cycle for technology adoption. Findings from an industrial survey suggest increasingly positive attitudes towards using CRAs in manufacturing and final assembly operations as tools and support mechanisms aiding human operators. Better methodologies and best practices are urgently needed for successful CRA implementation and efficient manufacturing human-robot collaboration design.