Investigating the effects of robotic motion on worker's behavior in cooperative working environments

Abstract

Cooperative working of man and machine in close proximity is considered as an enabling feature for the manufacturing industry where cognitively and physically demanding work steps concur. Acceptance and performance are crucial aspects for the success of such working environments. Understanding the effects of robots on human's behavior plays a central role. In this study, we investigate the effects of robotic motion on humans within cooperative working environments. We therefore conducted an experiment, within the theoretical context of approach-avoidance behavior, by analyzing human motion trajectories during the interaction with an industrial robot in a real setup. Our findings suggest that an active robot affects the movement behavior of interacting participants considerably. Interestingly, an active robot seems to be more positively evaluated than a non-moving robot. The results suggest that approach and avoidance behavior may be an implicit measure of the affective quality of human-robot interaction.