Experience Feedback on Implementing and Using Human-Robot Collaboration in the Workplace

Abstract

With the rise of collaborative robotics, workers are exposed to new risks, not necessarily because of the creation of new hazards, but due to the duration of their exposure to some well-known hazards associated with robots in general (e.g., risk of collision). The total or partial absence of fences at all times allows collaborative robots and humans to share the same workspace even in production, which increases exposure to those risks. To manage the risks, designers follow inherently safe design requirements to make the robot safe for use. However, when the designer delivers the cobot to the user, there is still a residual risk that needs to be managed in the future workspace. This paper presents experience feedback on six cobotic applications in four companies. Observations revolving around residual risk management are presented. Based on the observations, preliminary recommendations are made to help stakeholders with the implementation and use of cobots.