Considerations for Handover and Co-working with Drones

摘要

Recent progress in aerial robotics foresees that flying robots, a.k.a. drones, can support workers in their jobs, such as by performing complex tasks in hard-to-reach places. As they become increasingly autonomous, we envision co-working drones helping human operators in direct collaborative tasks, such as by carrying tools and handing them over to workers at heights, or helping them lift and precisely position structures on construction sites. Yet, much research is needed to support safe close-body interaction between humans and drones. We here propose specific considerations for human-drone collaboration related to such handover, from the drone approaching a person in view of interacting with them at close proximity, to the handover itself, and to the drone leaving. In addition, we present the results of semi-structured interviews with three professionals in this context of human-drone collaboration. This late-breaking report highlights challenges and opportunities fostered by Human-Aerial Robot Handover (HARH).