Conceptualizing cognitive and physical worker-technology symbiosis in manufacturing: Lessons from J.A.R.V.I.S.

Abstract

Smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0 concepts have enabled significant advancements in manufacturing performance, yet they lack a central component: the systematic recognition and analysis of individual human worker situations, motivations, physiologies, and capabilities. This paper proposes a conceptual framework for future human-technology symbiosis in smart manufacturing processes, inspired by the movie “Iron Man” and his assistant “J.A.R.V.I.S.,” representing a fully integrated AI-based robotic and digital support system for individual workers. The core element is the notion of worker individuality, moving beyond traditional distinctions of workers in groups and according to dichotomous scales (e.g., experienced-inexperienced, deaf-not deaf, female-male). A crucial vision for future performance enhancements, both cognitive and physical, is that the technology support system can continuously identify and characterize individual workers’ abilities across a continuous range of relevant profile criteria. This system would automatically adapt the provided technological support, including robotics and AI, to meet the individual needs of each worker. For example, the support system may autonomously adjust a collaborative robot’s actions and strength based on the worker’s physical fitness, or tailor augmented reality guides to their intent, expertise, cognitive abilities, and concurrent attention in real time. As this conceptual paper presents a predominantly futuristic outlook, the core contribution lies in defining the intermediate research questions about realizing such a vision to help the future worker-technology symbiosis become a reality.