Assessing the Impact of Human–Robot Collaboration on Worker Productivity in Construction through Psychophysiological Response Analysis

Human–robot collaboration (HRC) presents a promising approach to addressing productivity and labor challenges in the construction industry. However, limited research has quantitatively explored how specific environmental and interaction-related factors influence productivity in construction-specific HRC scenarios. This study investigates the effects of workspace conditions (open versus closed environments) and robot engagement levels (no, low, high) on worker productivity, while also examining associated psychophysiological responses. A controlled virtual reality (VR) environment was used to simulate realistic construction tasks, and physiological data—including heart rate, electrodermal activity, skin temperature, and electroencephalography-based valence and arousal—were collected using biosensors. Results revealed that participants exhibited higher productivity in closed environments, likely due to reduced distractions and enhanced spatial control. Engagement levels with robots also significantly affected productivity, with direct human–robot interactions eliciting varying physiological and performance outcomes. Notably, changes in productivity were strongly associated with shifts in emotional and cognitive states, as reflected in psychophysiological measures. These findings fill critical research gaps by linking environmental and engagement factors to both objective performance and human-centered outcomes. The results offer valuable insights for designing more effective, adaptive HRC systems in construction that optimize productivity while supporting worker comfort and well-being.