User-centered design for Human-Robot Collaboration systems

Abstract

Autonomous robotic systems are one of the pillars of Industry 4.0, together with Digital Twin (DT) simulations and advanced Human Machine Interfaces (HMI). Customization requirements in modern manufacturing demand a closer collaboration between operators and automated technologies, leading to a novel Human-Robot Collaboration (HRC) and interaction paradigm aimed at the augmentation of human capabilities in the workplace. This scenario calls for a new definition of HRC standards and design for safety, programming, and an overall assessment of modern cyber-physical systems. A comprehensive design process aiming to formulate a common framework of requirements based on human, organizational and production needs is missing. A user-centered design approach described may be a solution to address the open challenges of future HRC. DT and Augmented and Virtual reality technologies (AR/VR) are implemented in elaborated model as the necessary tools to assign the operator a central position in the design, control, and assessment of modern industrial collaborative scenarios.