It was in the late 1940s that an individual named Raymond Goertz set out on creating master-slave remote handling devices. These devices could enable robots to grasp and move objects around. In the world of Robotics, this was the advent of Human-robot Interaction – a prospect that has now turned into a worldwide phenomenon. Everyone is talking about the Applications and benefits of Human-robot Interaction or HRI.
This attempt came with its own set of hurdles. With time, humans have configured various methodologies that have made this interaction that much smoother and precise. Robots now possess the ability to work cohesively by interacting with their human counterparts to the extent that they have now begun developing certain performance independence.
Applications And Benefits Of Human-Robot Interaction
Robot technology has given us countless Applications and benefits of HRI to better understand and develop mechanisms that could assist in different tasks. This includes production assembly lines such as picking and placing, welding, painting, and so on. This initiates the work of developing production methodologies for the auto industry in general. Moreover, creating supervisory controls that could help better control production lines.
Applications of Human robot Interaction
Today, human-robot interaction or HRI is available into 4 distinct categories:
Human Supervisory Control Of Robots For Routine Task
This includes aspects such as handling of parts in manufacturing lines. Also, inculcating an automated delivery system that could enable better access. This works further to include aspects such as the delivery of packages, mail, medicines within warehouses, offices, and even hospitals. The prospective outcome was an outlined system that would enable better tracking and delivery of components.
These machines began as telerobots due to their ability to carry out limited automated actions that were available on computer programs. Not only could they carry out tasks but could also sense the environment. Furthermore, adjust according to particular needs/information that was being fed to them.
The interaction aspect is also available with these computers/robots. They are possessing the ability to report/communicate information/updates to human operators that would control or update instructions based on any developments.
Remote Control Of vehicles For Non-Routine Tasks
This is related to the control of space, airborne, terrestrial, and undersea vehicles to function in hazardous or inaccessible environments. Also known as teleoperators, these robots helped to gather data and carry out tasks by instructions that were passed by the remote human.
The robots possessed the ability to perform manipulation. Also, mobility tasks in remote physical environments were inaccessible to humans. Whether this was a craft being sent into space to gauge various situations/circumstances or vehicles that could be transported to harsh physical environments. The mission was always to gather data and report it back to the human controller.
Some computers/robots were also reprogrammed on an interim basis to ensure that valid data is in curation. They are what we now know as telerobots. This reprogramming would not only enable better human-robot interaction. But would also enable them to record data based on new information/circumstances.
Automated Vehicles
Who wouldn’t love to just sit back and relax in their cars while they move to and from their destinations? This is another aspect of human-robot interaction where the former would simply be required to input information and the machine would take care of the rest.
While this may still be a work-in-progress. Developments have already been available in the fields of automated highway and rail vehicles and even aircraft that have transformed the traveling and commuting experience.
Social-Interaction Of Robots
Ever interacted with a chatbot? Have they been able to successfully navigate through your queries and provide you with relevant information?
If the answer to that was a yes. You have already experienced human-robot social interaction.
Now, developments have begun to include robot devices to provide entertainment, comfort, teaching, and assistance for children, and the elderly, autistic, and handicapped persons of our society.
The goal here is to provide an experience that is unique to each of their needs and can cater to their respective environments. Whether this was through the inculcation of particular methodologies that would enable more independence for these strata or the provision of facilities that would help assist their everyday functioning. The goal is always to provide a carefully catered experience.
Training robots for active and intelligent tasks for certain individuals is an ongoing process. This might take years to perfect but has the potential to reach unimaginable heights.
Benefits Of Human-robot Interaction
With HRI, not only is communication is easy but it also provides the opportunity for coexistence. Also, mutual adaptation between robots and users. Improvement is available through the provision of natural ways to interface with humans through communicative channels that can enable better-curated experiences for users.
- Learning and adaptation are important in today’s world with our needs changing on an ongoing basis. With HRI, we are better able to tackle these needs and provide experiences/services to members of society to improve their quality of life.
- The potential for an economic boost is immense through HRI. Not only can manufacturing industries inculcate a human-robot model to reach higher targets. They can also improve the quality of services/products while cutting down on the prospect of human errors.
- The word Diversification itself seems to invoke a sense of hope in all senses. HRI provides us with not just an opportunity to research in other areas and cater to different needs but also provides industries the opportunity to grow.
- With HRI, we can hope to see an improvement in supply chains and the provision of facilities/services. This means that manufacturing industries will now have more options to improve their designs/systems.
- The recent pandemic has emphasized the need to create more resilient supply chains that can function with limited human interaction. The world almost came to halt due to workers being unable to work full-time. This is a problem that will not exist if HRI is there which can enable humans to control robots remotely and still achieve targets.
Future Of Human-robot Interaction
It is imperative to now work on improving the quality of life for the world while also improving working conditions and environments. There also exists the need for advancements in the field of modern production methodologies to increase productivity. Also, continuing advances in the quality, availability, and sustainability of manufactured goods – all of which can be achieved through HRI.
Highlighting the Applications and benefits of Human-robot Interaction or HRI is not only meant to create an environment that is solely dependent upon automated processes but to bring together humans and robots and accomplish goals.