2,356 research outputs found
Assembly 4.0: Wheel Hub Nut Assembly Using a Cobot
To achieve a flexible and adaptable assembly system (assembly 4.0) a combination of enabling resources and technologies are required. Collaborative robots (Cobots) are one such technology that can offer higher flexibility and quick adaptability in assembly systems. Cobots are becoming more common in the manufacturing industry, the use and application of cobots are constantly growing. Combining cobots with IIoT gives the possibilities to also communicate with cobots and employees to achieve an effective assembly system. This paper presents a design research experiment conducted using cobots in a lab environment. The experiment studies the use of cobots in a final assembly environment with the focus on testing feasibility, improving quality and ergonomics of a real industrial operation. The experiment setup is presented in detail and the results are discussed along with future research directions
Trust in Construction AI-Powered Collaborative Robots: A Qualitative Empirical Analysis
Construction technology researchers and forward-thinking companies are
experimenting with collaborative robots (aka cobots), powered by artificial
intelligence (AI), to explore various automation scenarios as part of the
digital transformation of the industry. Intelligent cobots are expected to be
the dominant type of robots in the future of work in construction. However, the
black-box nature of AI-powered cobots and unknown technical and psychological
aspects of introducing them to job sites are precursors to trust challenges. By
analyzing the results of semi-structured interviews with construction
practitioners using grounded theory, this paper investigates the
characteristics of trustworthy AI-powered cobots in construction. The study
found that while the key trust factors identified in a systematic literature
review -- conducted previously by the authors -- resonated with the field
experts and end users, other factors such as financial considerations and the
uncertainty associated with change were also significant barriers against
trusting AI-powered cobots in construction.Comment: 2023 ASCE International Conference on Computing in Civil Engineering
(I3CE
Application of Collaborative Robots for Increasing Productivity in an Eyeglasses Lenses Manufacturer
This research focuses on a framework for making decisions when adopting collaborative robots (cobots) to collaborate with or replace human workers. Top management at a real-life case study firm that manufactures a variety of eyeglasses lenses wants to implement cobots in the sorting process since such a repetitive task has been shown to have a significant negative influence on workers' ergonomic ailments. Its current procurement decision-making process focuses solely on financial perspectives without taking into account any other significant criteria. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the elements that are crucial in deciding whether to use cobots in manufacturing lines., Multivariate statistical methods, comprising the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), are applied to analyse the elements that are associated with the latent variables such as safety, ergonomics, productivity, quality, system, internal organisation and external organisation. In addition, alternative deployments of cobots in the case study are validated through the ARENA simulation software. More specifically, the results showed that using cobots in the workplace might boost output while lowering WIP, waiting times, the number of tasks in queue, and the workforce. In addition, cobots may reduce employee ergonomic risk and enhance workplace safety
Preparing for Industrial Collaborative Robots: A Literature Review of Technology Readiness and Acceptance Models
This item is only available electronically.Collaborative robots (cobots) are an emerging technology that are increasingly being
introduced into organisations. However, research investigating employee attitudes towards, or
assessment of factors predicting acceptance of cobots is limited. A literature review was
conducted to identify reliable and parsimonious models of technology acceptance that would
hold relevance when applied to cobots. Understanding and facilitating employee acceptance
of such technology is important if the improved productivity, job satisfaction and cost savings
associated with its implementation are to be achieved. The Technology Readiness Index
(Parasuraman, 2000) and Technology Acceptance Model (Davis, 1989) were considered most
appropriate as a starting point to empirically explore cobot acceptance.Thesis (M.Psych(Organisational & Human Factors)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 201
Ergonomics and human factors as a requirement to implement safer collaborative robotic workstations: a literature review
There is a worldwide interest in implementing collaborative robots (Cobots) to reduce work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSD) risk. While prior work in this field has recognized the importance of considering Ergonomics & Human Factors (E&HF) in the design phase, most works tend to highlight workstationsâ improvements due to Human-Robot Collaboration (HRC). Based on a literature review, the current study summarises studies where E&HF was considered a requirement rather than an output. In this article, the authors are interested in understanding the existing studies focused on Cobotsâ implementation with ergonomic requirements, and the methods applied to design safer collaborative workstations. This review was performed in four prominent publications databases: Scopus, Web of Science, Pubmed, and Google Scholar, searching for the keywords âCollaborative robotsâ or âCobotsâ or âHRCâ and âErgonomicsâ or âHuman factorsâ. Based on the inclusion criterion, 20 articles were reviewed, and the main conclusions of each are provided. Additionally, the focus was given to the segmentation between studies considering E&HF during the design phase of HRC systems and studies applying E&HF in real-time on HRC systems. The results demonstrate the novelty of this topic, especially of the real-time applications of ergonomics as a requirement. Globally, the results of the reviewed studies showed the potential of E&HF requirements integrated into HRC systems as a relevant input for reducing WMSD risk.This work has been supported by FCTâFundação para a CiĂȘncia e Tecnologia and MIT
Portugal Program under the doctoral Grant SFRH/BD/151365/2021. This work has been also
supported by NORTE-06-3559-FSE-000018, integrated in the invitation NORTE-59-2018-41, aiming the
Hiring of Highly Qualified Human Resources, co-financed by the Regional Operational Programme
of the North 2020, thematic area of Competitiveness and Employment, through the European
Social Fund. Additionally, has been also supported by FCT within the Project âI-CATERâIntelligent
robotic Coworker Assistant for industrial Tasks with an Ergonomics Rationaleâ, Ref. PTDC/EEIROB/3488/2021, and within R&D Units Project Scope: UIDB/00319/2020
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