“The Robot-Arm Talks Back to Me” - Human Perception of Augmented Human-Robot Collaboration in Virtual Reality

The usage of AI enhanced robots in shared task environments is likely to become more and more common with the increase of digitalization in different industrial sectors. To take up this new challenge, research on the design of Human-Robot-Collaboration (HRC) involving AI-based systems has yet to establish common targets and guidelines. This paper presents results from an explorative qualitative study. Participants (N= 80) were either exposed to a virtual representation of an industrial robot-arm equipped with several augmentation channels for communication with the human operator (lights, textual statements about intentions, etc.) or one with no communicative functions at all. Across all conditions, participants recognized the benefit of collaborating with robots in industrial scenarios regarding work efficiency and alleviation of working conditions. However, a communication channel from the robot to the human is crucial for achieving these benefits. Participants interacting with the non-communicative robot expressed dissatisfaction about the workflow. In both conditions we found remarks about the insufficient speed of the robot-arm for an efficient collaborative process. Our results indicate a wider spectrum of questions to be further explored in the design of collaborative experiences with intelligent technological counterparts considering efficiency, safety, economic success and well-being.