Research Update by IfADo

Successful collaboration between humans and cobots does not only require designing the robot itself. Humans also need to understand the peculiarities of having a cobot as a team member. Therefore, researchers at IfADo are currently developing a training program for workers to foster interaction, understanding, and safety. The objective of this training is to give workers a comprehensive understanding of the modalities through which they can engage and communicate effectively with their robotic counterparts. It is imperative for the worker to possess the capability to foresee the robot’s actions, fostering a relationship built on trust. Additionally, the training addresses crucial facets such as acceptance and safety, delving into inquiries such as the robot’s utility in the workflow, the level of safety in interacting with the robot, and potential methods for influencing the interaction. These aspects form the three columns of this training: Safety instructions, Collaboration, and Failure Case Handling.