Adaptive Workbench Display Using Wearable Data for Robot Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current workbenches lack integrated systems for real-time user data monitoring and adaptive task management, which can lead to inefficiencies and safety concerns in collaborative robot-human workspaces, particularly in manufacturing and assembly tasks.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a workbench with a display, a body-wearable mobile device, and a controller that measures user data, determines tasks, and controls the workbench and robot operations based on received data, including physical properties, health metrics, and environmental conditions, to ensure safe and efficient task execution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If collaborative robots share workspaces with humans to enable task completion, then productivity and task completion capability are improved, but safety risks and collision hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors user physiological data (heart rate, galvanic skin response, temperature) and environmental conditions, providing real-time feedback to adjust robot operations. When stress indicators or collision risks are detected, the system automatically modifies robot behavior to ensure safety while maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary assessments of user stress levels and environmental conditions before executing robot tasks. By evaluating physiological markers in advance, the system proactively adjusts safety parameters and robot operational boundaries to prevent hazardous situations before they occur.
2Productivity
If workbenches are equipped with advanced monitoring and control systems, then task efficiency and safety are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The workbench system integrates multiple functions into a unified platform: physiological monitoring, environmental sensing, robot control, and safety management all operate through a single controller. This multi-functional integration improves task efficiency while managing complexity through centralized coordination rather than separate independent systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically processes physiological data and environmental conditions to make real-time control decisions without requiring manual intervention. The controller autonomously adjusts robot operations based on monitored parameters, reducing the need for complex user interfaces and manual control mechanisms.
3Reliability
If the system continuously monitors user physiological data and environmental conditions, then safety and task adaptation are improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system operates periodically rather than continuously, sampling physiological data and environmental conditions at optimized intervals. This periodic measurement approach maintains safety monitoring effectiveness while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous real-time monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors only the most critical physiological parameters (heart rate, galvanic skin response, temperature) and key environmental factors necessary for safety decisions. By focusing on essential measurements rather than comprehensive monitoring of all possible parameters, the system achieves adequate safety monitoring with reduced energy expenditure.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system comprising: a workbench (102) having a display (114); a body-wearable mobile device (128) (for example, a smartwatch worn by a user); and a controller (106) configured to: receive data (for example, data measured by the body-wearable mobile device (128)) from the body-wearable mobile device (128); using the received data, determine a task for a user (122) of the workbench (102); and control the display (114) based on the determined task. For example, the display (114) may be controlled to display instructions for performing the determined task, or an indication that the user (122) is not permitted to perform the determined task.