Foundation for a classification of collaboration levels for human-robot cooperation in manufacturing

Abstract

Industry 4.0 aims to support the factory of the future, involving increased use of information systems and new ways of using automation, such as collaboration where a robot and a human share work on a single task. We propose a classification of collaboration levels for Human-Robot collaboration (HRC) in manufacturing that we call levels of collaboration (LoC), formed to provide a conceptual model conducive to the design of assembly lines incorporating HRC. This paper aims to provide a more theoretical foundation for such a tool based on relevant theories from cognitive science and other perspectives of human-technology interaction, strengthening the validity and scientific rigour of the envisioned LoC tool. The main contributions consist of a theoretical grounding to motivate the transition from automation to collaboration, which are intended to facilitate expanding the LoC classification to support HRC, as well as an initial visualization of the LoC approach. Future work includes fully defining the LoC classification as well as operationalizing functionally different cooperation types. We conclude that collaboration is a means to an end, so collaboration is not entered for its own sake, and that collaboration differs fundamentally from more commonly used views where automation is the focus.

The ANEMONE: Theoretical Foundations for UX Evaluation of Action and Intention Recognition in Human-Robot Interaction

“…It is argued that mutual interaction between humans and humans is needed if robots should be considered as partners instead of as tools [ 17 , 19 , 30 , 35 , 36 , 37 ], but to what extent they need to grasp the intentions of others is a much debated issue. However, at least it is argued that to achieve some kind of action and intention recognition between humans and robots, which possibly is a pre-requisite for some basic social interaction skills [ 24 , 26 , 28 , 30 ], is necessary for developing into engaging in more advanced forms of social interaction such as joint actions and mutual collaboration [ 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 ]. In other words, it requires that robots are able to perceive similar emotional and behavioral patterns and environmental cues as humans do (e.g., [ 1 , 5 , 53 , 54 , 55 ]).…”

“…However, at least it is argued that to achieve some kind of action and intention recognition between humans and robots, which possibly is a pre-requisite for some basic social interaction skills [ 24 , 26 , 28 , 30 ], is necessary for developing into engaging in more advanced forms of social interaction such as joint actions and mutual collaboration [ 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 ]. In other words, it requires that robots are able to perceive similar emotional and behavioral patterns and environmental cues as humans do (e.g., [ 1 , 5 , 53 , 54 , 55 ]). Accordingly, it has been acknowledged that the interaction quality between humans and robots has to progress to a sufficient degree that it is comparable to the fluent, trustworthy, and smooth interaction currently accomplished between humans [ 52 ], which implies that the robot has to act autonomously to some extent.…”

Review of Interfaces for Industrial Human-Robot Interaction

“…Several definitions exist for these kinds of applications. Kolbeinsson et al name it as a smooth transition from isolation towards collaboration of human and robot [12]. Schmidtler et al distinguish between coexistence, cooperation, and collaboration [8].…”

On Cognitive Assistant Robots for Reducing Variability in Industrial Human-Robot Activities

“…In the case of adding a collaborative robot in a manual workplace, the reduction of human physical fatigue should be measurable. Some authors propose to establish a measure of the level of collaboration [27]. If the percentage of tasks performed by the robot in an H-R system is increased, the human workload is decreasing.…”