A framework for human collaborative robots, operations in South African automotive industry

Abstract

In this paper we investigate the future of human collaborative robots within the South African automotive industry. Human robot collaborative work has the potential to advance quality, efficiency and safety in manufacturing. The global automotive industry is constantly restructuring to yield the best out of its production, hence the labour force in South Africa has to adjust and prepare for the upcoming future of collaborative robots interaction. This Research will aim to address the issues concerned with the implementation of this innovation. Is South Africa capable of executing this innovation? We investigate the standardization essential to restructuring the automotive plants to accommodate these changes and develop skills and training to assist the labour force to be able to interact with the robots and increase productivity. Furthermore we investigate the key issues around the human collaborative robots interaction.