We present the ANBOT, an intelligent robotic coworker for physical human-robot collaboration. The ANBOT system assists workers performing industrial abrasive blasting, shielding them from the large forces experienced during this physically demanding task. The co-operative robotic system combines the strength and endurance of robots with the decision making of skilled workers. The inherent challenges in human-robot collaboration, combined with the difficult blasting environment required novel design decisions to be made and new solutions to be developed. These include an approach for handling kinematic singularities in a manner suitable for human-robot co-operation, estimating worker pose under poor visibility conditions, and an intuitive control scheme that adapts the robotic assistance based on the estimated strength of the worker. In this work we summarise the ANBOT system and present findings from preliminary site trials. The trials included several real industrial blasting tasks under the control of a skilled abrasive blasting worker who had no experience working alongside a robot. Results demonstrate the suitability of the ANBOT for practical industrial applications.
Assistive Robotics(AR) is a rapidly expanding field, implementing advanced intelligent machines capable of working collaboratively with a range of human users; as assistants, tools and as companions. These AR devices can provide assistance to stretched carers when transferring non-ambulatory patients safely. This paper presents the preliminary outcomes of the design, development and implementation of a patient lifting AR device, Smart Hoist. This device, an enhanced conventional patient lifter (standard hoist), is fitted with several sensors capable of interacting with the device operator and its environment, and a set of powered wheels. The assisted manoeuvring functionality of the Smart Hoist may help reduce prevailing lower back injuries among the carers while improving the safety of carers and patients. Results collected from an evaluation of the preliminary version of the Smart Hoist conducted at the premises of IRT Woonona residential care facility confirms the system is easy to use and it reduces the effort of the operator, which may help in reducing lower back injuries.
Abstract. This paper presents a co-design process and an assisted navigation strategy that enables a novel assistive robot, Smart Hoist, to aid carers transferring non-ambulatory residents. Smart Hoist was codesigned with residents and carers at IRT Woonona residential care facility to ensure that the device can coexist in the facility, while providing assistance to carers with the primary aim of reducing lower back injuries, and improving the safety of carers and patients during transfers. The Smart Hoist is equipped with simple interfaces to capture user intention in order to provide assisted manoeuvring. Using the RGB-D sensor attached to the device, we propose a method of generating a repulsive force that can be combined with the motion controller's output to allow for intuitive manoeuvring of the Smart Hoist, while negotiating with the environment. Extensive user trials were conducted on the premises of IRT Woonona residential care facility and feedback from end users confirm its intended purpose of intuitive behaviour, improved performance and ease of use.
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