A Systematic Design Approach for Cognitively Ergonomic Collaborative Robotic Workspaces

摘要

Whilst Industry 4.0 has significantly transformed manufacturing through digitization and automation, manufacturing research is looking towards integrating these technologies to complement human capabilities, with a focus on sustainability and social inclusion. Collaborative robots, or cobots, play a crucial role in these advancements, since they allow or speeding up of robotic implementation, whilst working alongside humans to enhance efficiency and handle strenuous tasks. Nevertheless, these robotic systems present certain technological, safety, and cognitive challenges, when introduced in close proximity to human operators within the same workspace. Collaborative workspaces must address not only physical safety but also reduce psychological discomfort, promoting a socially sustainable experience in the so-called era of Industry 5.0. This research paper contributes a systematic design approach for cognitively ergonomic collaborative robotic workspaces. The result of this approach are collaborative workspaces which support the operator both cognitively and physically, thus allowing greater collaboration. The systematic design approach was evaluated through the design of a case-study collaborative workspace. The developed solution was implemented and tested within a semiconductor manufacturing factory with operator participants to evaluate their cognitive experience. Different scenarios were tested with and without the use of human-robot interfacing technologies. NASA-TLX results showed a decrease in mean mental workload from 4.3 without added technologies, to 3.11 and 2.46 for the scenarios with added interfaces. This indicates a reduced operator mental workload with the introduction of human-machine interfaces. These findings were also supported by the biometric data gathered during the case- study trial using a heart rate monitoring device. Additionally, 66.7% of the engineers interviewed found the case-study workspace with all additional technologies to be feasible to implement on the factory floor. The research concluded that the developed systematic design approach can lead to enhanced user experiences and mental health by decreasing work stress and cognitive workload.