Open AccessFacing with Collaborative Robots: The Subjective Experience in Senior and Younger Workers
Author(s) -
Chiara Rossato,
Patrik Pluchino,
Nicola Cellini,
Giulio Jacucci,
Anna Spagnolli,
Luciano Gamberini
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
cyberpsychology, behavior and social networking
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.199
H-Index - 143
eISSN - 2152-2723
pISSN - 2152-2715
DOI - 10.1089/cyber.2020.0180
Subject(s) - workload , robot , productivity , usability , psychology , human–robot interaction , applied psychology , control (management) , knowledge management , human–computer interaction , computer science , artificial intelligence , economics , macroeconomics , operating system
In the past few years, collaborative robots (i.e., cobots) have been largely adopted within industrial manufacturing. Although robots can support companies and workers in carrying out complex activities and improving productivity, human factors related to cobot operators have not yet been thoroughly investigated. The present study aims to understand the subjective experience of younger and senior workers interacting with an industrial collaborative robot. Results show that workers' acceptance of cobots is high, regardless of age and control modality used. Interesting differences between seniors and younger adults emerged in the evaluations of user experience, usability, and perceived workload of participants and are detailed and commented in the last part of the work.