Assistive Robotic Systems for Augmenting Human Strength in Industrial Applications
This project is the second stage of the research on assistive robots for augmenting human strength in industrial applications. The first stage of this research, focused on scoping study, can be viewed here.
There has been increasing interest throughout the world in the use of assistive robotic technology for augmenting human strength. However, a number of key research challenges need to be addressed before robotic systems can be deployed to physically assist human operators with varying physical sizes and strengths, and working in typical unstructured industrial environments.
In collaboration with Burwell Technologies and funded by an ARC Linkage Project, this research project aims to advance our understanding of how robots can be enabled to provide physical assistance to diverse human workers performing labour intensive tasks in industrial environments, and to develop breakthrough methodologies that enable the development of assistive robotic systems.
Challenges include:
- How much assistance is needed for an individual worker
- How to provide the required assistance to a worker
- What are the strategies for intuitive human-robot interaction
- How to ensure safety of human workers when they are in physical contact with robots
This project will address these challenges, moving from theoretical research to the development of a novel assistive robot and finally, to practical evaluation in various field trials.
Chief Investigators
Partner Investigators
- G. Williams, et al.
Other Members
Funding
- ARC Linkage Project, in partnership with Burwell Technologies
Year
- 2014–2017
Relevant publications
- M. Carmichael, R. Khonasty and D.K Liu (2015), “A Multi-stage Design Framework for the Development of Task-specific Robotic Exoskeletons”, Proceedings of the 37th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC'15), Milano Conference Centre, Milano, Italy, August 25-29, 2015, pp1176-1180.
- M. Carmichael and D.K Liu (2015), "Upper Limb Strength Estimation of Physically Impaired Persons using a Musculoskeletal Model: A Sensitivity Analysis", Proceedings of the 37th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC'15), Milano Conference Centre, Milano, Italy, August 25-29, 2015, pp2438-2441.
- A. Tran, D.K. Liu, R. Ranasinghe, M. Carmichael, C. Liu (2015), "Analysis of human grip strength in physical Human Robot Interaction", The 6th International Conference on Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics (AHFE 2015) and the Affiliated Conferences, Procedia Manufacturing, 3 (2015), pp1442-1449.
- M. Carmichael, B. Moutrie and D.K. Liu (2014), "A Framework for Task-Based Evaluation of Robotic Coworkers", Proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Control, Automation, Robotics and Vision (ICARCV'2014), Singapore, December 10-12, 2014, pp1362-1367.