A Virtual Sandbox Approach to Studying the Effect of Augmented Communication on Human-Robot Collaboration

Abstract

Human-Robot Collaboration (HRC) has the potential for a paradigm shift in industrial production by complementing the strengths of industrial robots with human staff. However, exploring these scenarios in physical experimental settings is costly and difficult, e.g., due to safety considerations. We present a virtual reality application that allows the exploration of HRC work arrangements with autonomous robots and their effect on human behavior. Prior experimental studies conducted using this application demonstrated the benefits of augmenting an autonomous robot arm with communication channels on subjective aspects such as perceived stress. Motivated by current safety regulations that hinder HRC to expand its full potential, we explored the effects of the augmented communication on objective measures (collision rate and produced goods) within a virtual sandbox application. Explored through a safe and replicable setup, the goal was to determine whether communication channels that provide guidance and explanation on the robot can help mitigate safety hazards without interfering with the production effectiveness of both parties. This is based on the theoretical foundation that communication channels enable the robot to explain its action, helps the human collaboration partner to comprehend the current state of the shared task better, and react accordingly. Focused on the optimization of production output, reduced collision rate, and increased perception of safety, a between-subjects experimental study with two conditions (augmented communication vs non-augmented) was conducted. The results revealed a statistically significant difference in terms of production quantity output and collisions with the robot, favoring the augmented conditions. Additional statistically significant differences regarding self-reported perceived safety were found. The results of this study provide an entry point for future research regarding the augmentation of industrial robots with communication channels for safety purposes.

Collaborating eye to eye: Effects of workplace design on the perception of dominance of collaboration robots

“…Since virtual reality has meanwhile become a valuable methodological approach to studies mimicking future workplace scenarios, see e.g. ( Hernoux et al, 2015 ; Arntz et al, 2021a ), participants can be exposed to various human-like gestures portrayed by the robot from different perspectives independent of their actual height. Apart from the presentation of the stimulus material, it is necessary to discuss the execution of the gestures.…”

“…Akin to the group collaboration among humans, research indicates that the effective collaboration between humans and robots requires the exchange of information to facilitate coordination of the current state of each entity and the handled tasks ( Arntz et al, 2021b ; Hentout et al, 2019 ). The medium to convey the necessary information can be delegated to a wide array of possible channels, i.e., speech, text, light signals, or gestures ( Arntz et al, 2020a ).…”

“…Therefore, dual-arm collaboration robots could be outfitted to signal and adjust a variety of different gestures in accordance with the current collaboration context. Prior studies regarding the interaction with robots revealed a significant benefit of collaboration robots equipped with gesture-based communication combined with other information interfaces during shared task scenarios with a human partner ( Arntz et al, 2021a ; Bremner and Leonards, 2016 ). Ranging from subjective benefits such as reduced stress and objective benefits regarding the production quantity, it can be assumed that dual-arm robots can be enhanced in their collaboration effectiveness through communication as well.…”