Evaluating the possible applications of social robots in the manufacturing industry: A guide in what aspects to consider in implementation of cognitive agents

Abstract

The increasing use of automation in organisations and production systems generates a need for further research and development of strategies for complimentary technology as well as models for such applications and implementations to better interact the human with automated systems (Fereidunian, Lucas & Lesani et al 2007). Social robots are primarily used in interaction-heavy fields of application in comparison to industrial robots, and the benefits or possible ramification of a broader use not yet fully investigated (Scheutz 2012). Additionally, while service robots are becoming an increasingly large portion of the robotics market there is a notable lack of frameworks and methods for how to actually use and prioritise technology and its features for human-centred use. Looking to existing and future needs requires a subsequent outline for organisations to use as insight into what aspects of service robots, intelligent automation or virtual agents they could utilise (Belanche Casaló, Flavián & Schepers 2019). To evaluate the possible implementation of social robots in the technical industry there is need to investigate what concepts would be viable at all and which could have a beneficial effect in a production system or organisation. The foundation for this is previous research in fields relevant to social robots such as levels of automation, game-based learning and Human- Robot Interaction (HRI). The framework for implementation investigates possibilities offered by HRI, concepts of knowledge management and implementation of innovation. Implementing social robotics is a major undertaking in the industry today and has mainly reached other fields such as the educational system, healthcare and customer service. It is therefore important to try and map the most important factors for a theoretical framework in a technical industry using what has been established so far and what can be improved and added to make it a viable alternative to existing solutions in a production environment. By looking at in what way companies are already using this technology and its benefits and need for improvement, we can assess what function and features are important in various aspects of use. In summary, we try and navigate what features of a social robot can play a role in selected areas of the technical industry and production line. The features of a social robots investigated are based on a Furhat robot, consisting of a conversational AI (Conversational User Interface – CUI), adaptable facial features and speaker voice as well as a camera for gaze following behaviour. We categorize the manufacturing industry into common roles of a production line and evaluate possible concepts through those. The framework for eventual concepts is made up of research of previous implementations as well as management of innovation.