Design of Human Robot Collaboration workstations – Two automotive case studies

Abstract

Human Robot Collaboration assembly cells benefit the capabilities and skills of both industrial robots and humans, although fenceless coexistence leads to issues related to safety and human-system interaction. A series of methods for hybrid workstation design focusing on safe yet efficient Human Robot Collaboration is presented, where various layout configurations are illustrated and evaluated aiming industrial implementation. Two distinct automotive use cases, with different requirements and challenges, are used as reference for highlighting particularities on lightweight and high-payload robots, in addition to small and large size product assemblies.