The Invisible Work of Human-Robot Collaboration: When Streamlined Processes Meet the Complexity of Real-World Practices

Abstract

The integration of robots into workplaces is often touted for its potential to streamline processes and enhance efficiency. Their deployment, however, generates a substantial amount of invisible work for the individuals expected to benefit from such technological advancements. The term invisible work refers to the tasks and activities that are essential to the functioning of an organization or a<br/>system but are not formally recognized, documented, or compensated. This article delves into the invisible work that accompanies the use of robots in two different real-world healthcare settings.<br/>Insights: →Stakeholders’ ideas about how a robot should work do not match the complexity of the invisible work needed to make a robot operate successfully.<br/>→ Robot deployment needs to shift from focusing solely on technology to understanding the practices of various actors collaborating with, working alongside, or actively opposing the robots in real-world contexts.