Trends on Human Factors in Industrial Human-Robot Collaboration: from Design to Implementation

Human-Robot Collaboration (HRC) systems will shape industrial scenarios of the near future by integrating collaborative robots (cobots) to enhance performance and well-being of human workers. Despite the increasing research on this topic, investigating how human factors influence the success of HRC systems remains an issue to be further explored. This study reviews the role of human factors in various implementation stages of industrial HRC systems, including design, simulation, laboratory case studies, and industrial case studies. Findings reveal that most studies focus on controlled environments, highlighting gaps in real-world industrial applications where physiological and psychological factors remain overlooked. By addressing these gaps, this study provides insights into integrating human factors, fostering more inclusive industrial HRC systems that prioritize worker safety, ergonomics, ethics, and well-being.