Cognitive Interaction Analysis in Human–Robot Collaboration Using an Assembly Task

Abstract

In human–robot collaborative assembly tasks, it is necessary to properly balance skills to maximize productivity. Human operators can contribute with their abilities in dexterous manipulation, reasoning and problem solving, but a bounded workload (cognitive, physical, and timing) should be assigned for the task. Collaborative robots can provide accurate, quick and precise physical work skills, but they have constrained cognitive interaction capacity and low dexterous ability. In this work, an experimental setup is introduced in the form of a laboratory case study in which the task performance of the human–robot team and the mental workload of the humans are analyzed for an assembly task. We demonstrate that an operator working on a main high-demanding cognitive task can also comply with a secondary task (assembly) mainly developed for a robot asking for some cognitive and dexterous human capacities producing a very low impact on the primary task. In this form, skills are well balanced, and the operator is satisfied with the working conditions.

Cognitive Human Factors in the Artificial Intelligence of Things

“…In addition, both the products and the production environment are becoming increasingly complex. In this context it is proposed to put emphasis on the principles of human centrality [6], as part of the disruptive transformations, with a paradigm shift of independent human and automated activities towards a human-automation symbiosis or human cyber-physical system (HCPS) [7], [8]. These systems are characterized by the cooperation of machines with humans in work systems and designed not to replace the abilities and skills of humans but rather to coexist with humans and help them to be more efficient and effective.…”

The Relationships of Human-Cobot Interaction Fluency with Job Performance and Job Satisfaction among Cobot Operators—The Moderating Role of Workload

“…Contemporary manufacturing industry is subject to an evolution in which the interaction between humans and technology is fundamental. The emergence of advanced human-robot interaction (HRI) has modified the performance of tasks [ 1 ] to boost system productivity and efficiency [ 2 ]. Importantly, because workers play a strategic role in manufacturing activities [ 3 ], their abilities and skills are enhanced rather than replaced by robotic technology [ 4 , 5 ] in human-centric automation [ 6 ].…”

“…For operators, automated robotic systems can help prevent adverse health effects [ 16 ] during work in unsafe environments [ 20 ]. Generally, the surge of interest in collaborative robots stems from the fact that they are seen as technological solutions for improving performance [ 1 , 7 , 21 ]. More than that, however, scholars and practitioners suggest that cobots enhance operators’ well-being [ 1 , 22 ].…”

“…Specifically, although the research on the positive impact of cobots on workers’ experiences has been prolific, the assumption that collaborative technology is exclusively advantageous would be biased. Although many studies suggest that cobots support humans in terms of physical and mental load [ 1 , 9 , 10 , 18 ], there are other empirical investigations showing that cobots increase workload [ 7 , 9 , 10 , 15 , 28 ]. The conflicting pattern of findings indicates that there is still a need to explore workload [ 22 , 24 ] as an essential individual factor in human-robot interaction [ 9 ].…”

Diseño de una arquitectura heterárquica de control de la producción centrada en el humano

“…Para destacar el enfoque centrado en el humano de esta investigación, como indicador de eficiencia en la producción se usa la estimación de la medida subjetiva de la carga de trabajo a través del método NASA-TLX (Task Load Index), el cual permite derivar el puntaje general de la carga de trabajo en función de un promedio de calificaciones en seis dimensiones (Tabla 3): exigencia mental, exigencia física, exigencia temporal, esfuerzo, rendimiento y frustración (Chacón et al, 2021).…”