1. 3/8/2016 Human-Robot
Collaboration in
the Workplace
Emerging Technology Project
Shannon Rasic
CIS376-201

2. 1
Contents
Abstract.............................................................................................................................................2
Overview ...........................................................................................................................................2
Technology.........................................................................................................................................3
Advantages........................................................................................................................................4
Disadvantages....................................................................................................................................4
Business Application...........................................................................................................................5
Conclusion .........................................................................................................................................6
References.........................................................................................................................................7

3. 2
Abstract
As more technology emerges, the quality and capabilities of robots improves.
Humans and robots are beginning to collaborate in the workplace. This piece
discusses some of the new technology, the advantages and disadvantages of
working alongside robots, and how it is beginning to be applied in business.
Overview
In the last few decades, we have seen some amazing advancements in technology
like the first touch screen cellphone, 3D televisions, and supercomputers. All of
these new technologies have had a substantial impact on everyday life. Instead
of writing letters or talking face to face we can text, call, or email. Technology
has allowed more flexibility, communication, and sophistication in the
workplace. But it doesn’t stop there, technology continues to advance and soon
we may find ourselves not even working alongside other humans, alongside
robots.
Since robots first started appearing in factories 50 years ago, they have operated
autonomously and were usually in fences or worked separate hours to protect
employees. However, in recent years the fences have started to disappear and a
more gentler and collaborative breed of robot has entered the workplace, known
as “co-bots.” These kinds of robots require humans working alongside them.
They are mainly used for assembly tasks with low payloads. Their security
features are highly sensitive pressure sensors that can detect a human presence.
Those robots are able to learn and adapt their path to their environment. In brief,
collaborative robots don’t need protective cages because they use different
security devices and function at a low speed. This shift is altering the dynamics
of labor in many factories and workshops, allowing humans and robots to work
together in efficient new ways. This is key to future human-robot collaboration.
Traditionally, robots have not been a cost-effective option for small
manufacturers. However, the reshoring trend has contributed to the demand for
lower cost, safer, and more flexible automation technologies such as
collaborative robots. Sales of co-bots are just beginning, but are expected to grow
fast.
The ability of these robots to operate alongside humans means that robots are
now moving beyond manufacturing sector jobs and into service sector jobs such
as healthcare, logistics, and agriculture. What was once considered a far-off
fantasy is now quickly becoming reality. Robots will soon become an integral
part of our working lives, and not just in traditional automotive sectors.
Inevitably this will have a far-reaching impact on consumers, corporations, and
governments. It is important that governments frame a set of rules within which

4. 3
the robotics industry can thrive, while ensuring that humans are adequately
protected.
Technology
One of the reasons why they were able to create such gentle, collaborative robots
is because of 3D cameras. The cameras are able to recognize humans or objects
in trajectory of the robot and give instant feedback to the robot arms. Thanks to
new sensors and software, these machines are able to predict collisions and
avoid humans as they go about their work. They’re able to change paths multiple
times in order to get to their final goal. Robots are being manufactured out of
more lightweight materials so that if they do collide with a human, it is not
enough weight to hurt them.
When they talk about “smart” robots, it can mean many things to different
people. According to an article by Tech Target, the word “smart” in robotics has
“some common denominators: it can learn from its environment; it can work
alongside a human being and learn from those humans; and it can learn from
its experiences and improve as it does its work” (Laskowski, 2014).
One of the most remarkable, smart co-bots out there is the Baxter, which has
two arms and a pair of expressive eyes that react to various interactions. It is
known for being very easy and safe to work with. Baxter features two articulated
arms (each capable of 5-pound payloads) equipped with grippers and a 5-by-9-
inch LCD screen mounted on a mobile pedestal that houses controllers. It uses
cameras and force, sonar and rangefinder sensors to locate and grasp objects.
These robot arms also offer greater precision and programmability, meaning they
can perform complex work and either step in for a human worker or work
alongside one. Unlike traditional robots that require extensive software
programming, Baxter can be trained quickly. All assemblers have to do is interact
with the robot directly to teach it a task, just like a person.
Collaborative robots can come in several different shapes and sizes, one of which
is the robotic arm and SCARA configurations. SCARA stands for Selective
Compliance Assembly Robot Arm. This arm is based on a 4-axis design which
makes is ideal for high-speed assembly. It can be used for material-handling
tasks such as kitting and packaging. More technology like SCARA and Baxter
are constantly being produced and tested in the robotics industry. The window
of human-robot collaboration is continuing to open.
As collaborative robots are gaining popularity their sensors and computer power
have become consistently more affordable. Thus making them more available to
businesses of all sizes.

5. 4
Advantages
Human-robot collaboration in the workplace has a lot of advantages in regard to
efficiency improvement in quality and production. The vision is that collaborative
robots will assist people in the workplace, support workers in a variety of tasks,
improve manufacturing quality and processes, and increase productivity.
Robots are stronger and more precise than humans and undoubtedly more
productive at some manual tasks. They can work round the clock and without
interruption. Moreover, they are more able to tackle laborious tasks and will not
lose enthusiasm, in spite of repetition. By allowing robots to focus on these
repetitive tasks, human workers can focus on “higher value” roles.
Technological advance over the last fifty years also means that industrial robots
are now much cheaper and easier to use than previously. No longer does a robot
operator require technical programming skills, meaning that companies can use
robots without having to find and pay for specially trained staff. The FT
reports that the current hourly cost of a sample industrial robot is currently
$4.32 per hour based on an eight-hour work day and working 260 days per year
over three years. The average hourly cost for a factory worker can be closer to
$25 per hour, this is a big savings for companies (Panda, 2014). Another
advantage is that there’s no longer a need for fences which can be a hassle and
expensive.
Some of these co-bots like the Baxter, are built so that should anyone get in the
robot’s way, it will either stop or bump the person too gently to leave a bruise.
Baxter is also remarkably cheap, costing just $22,000 when many conventional
robots cost several hundred thousand dollars.
Lastly, another notion to consider is the aging population and that with them
goes their technical skills and knowledge. Governments and corporations are
increasingly looking to robots to provide key services that are currently solely
provided by humans. Policymakers see opportunities in health and nursing care,
and companies are developing robots to step in where humans may become
scarce.
Disadvantages
Most of the disadvantages that come along with human-robot collaboration have
to do with uncertainty. One question on the minds of some when it comes to this
increased improvement in robots is what about jobs? Many have urged the
robotics industry to ‘clear up the uncertainty and mistrust’ around robots and
to reassure the public that increased automation won’t lead to large job losses.
Some believe that a broad range of jobs that were never previously able to be

6. 5
automated will be lost forever. Others, believe that robots preserve jobs by
improving productivity and allowing companies to grow. Corporate growth will
then lead to new jobs for humans and robots, meaning that the employment will
grow rather than fall.
According to an article by The Washington Post, they stated that in the past as
new technologies emerged more jobs were created. For example, most would
think that the invention of ATMs would diminish bank tellers but in fact there’s
more bank tellers today than there were in the 1990s. The Washington post
believes that “the fear of technological job loss is real but exaggerated”
(Samuelson, 2015.)
There are also a number of ethical and legal challenges that emerge. Then comes
the question of how should we regulate the responsibilities of the robots and also
the responsibilities of those who design, manufacture, and use them? A number
of other potential issues come to mind: Will some types of robot research and
technology be forbidden? Who should be liable when a robot makes an error?
What personal privacy issues may stem from the use of domestic care robots?
How can insurance companies work out the risks posed by robots without
existing regulatory or legal frameworks? Legislators and policy makers are only
now just starting to look into these issues.
Business Application
Currently, China is the fastest-growing robot market and is expected to be
significantly larger than its biggest challengers. Japan still has the highest
number of industrial robots in operation and also still dominates robot
manufacturing. However, robot density in each of the key markets remains
exceptionally low and there remains a huge potential to grow in each of these
markets.
Companies are also investing huge sums into research and development. Google
snapped up a number of robotics companies last year. Silicon Valley is starting
to invest heavily in robot companies and some European companies are worried
about losing top talent to the US. However, it still has a way to travel before being
able to challenge the bigger market incumbents in Japan and Europe that have
for decades led the industry.
Evolving safety standards are a reason why collaborative robots have come of
age. Last year, the Robotic Industries Association (RIA) established a new safety
standard that addresses human-robot collaboration. The standard has been
approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). It specifies that
a robot working in collaboration with a human needs to meet at least one of the

7. 6
following four criteria: safety-rated monitored stop; hand guiding; speed and
separation monitoring; and power and force limiting (Weber, 2014).
Teams of robots and humans working together are more effective than humans
alone, a study done by MIT at BMW found that humans and robots working
together reduced human idle time by 85%. The future of co-bots is only expected
to grow by tenfold within the next five years.
Robots may appear in more industries than expected. Dr. Christiensen of
Georgia Tech said: “Robots of the future won’t just be in manufacturing. Almost
any area could have a robot that would help make our life easier, whether lifting
patients in hospital beds or helping at home” (Eisenberg, 2013). Soon robots will
have even more advanced skills and can be expected to appear not only in the
business world but also in everyday lives.
Conclusion
Julie Shan, an assistant professor at MIT said they they’re “developing ways that
will enable collaboration and "harness the strengths of humans and robots to
accomplish what neither can do alone” (Laskowski, 2014). If achievable and
implemented well this could change workplace environments and production
forever.
Robots aren’t just being further developed for the workplace. Currently, there are
companies producing robots that look and feel like humans and/or pets to serve
as companions, and other companies are creating rescue and military robots to
be used for more practical purposes. The human-robot collaboration is just
beginning, and what the future holds for such technology is still yet to be
discovered.

8. 7
References
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Robots-and-Vision-Systems
Eisenberg, A. (2013, March 30). Freed From Its Cage, the Gentler Robot. Retrieved
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Hanson, J. (n.d.). Future of Robotics|Robots of the Future|Robot Links. Retrieved
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Knight, W. (n.d.). Increasingly, Robots of All Sizes Are Human Workmates.Retrieved
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machine-collaboration
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http://www.adept.com/robots/scara-robots-4-axis
Tobe, F. (2015, December 30). Why Co-Bots Will Be a Huge Innovation and Growth
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innovation-growth-driver
Weber, A. (2014, February 01). Human-Robot Collaboration Comes of Age. Retrieved
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collaboration-comes-of-age