MATE robots simplifying my work: benefits and socio-ethical implications

TL;DR

This paper introduces the MATE design approach for industrial robots that adapt to human operators' needs, aiming to improve usability and address ethical and social implications of human-robot interaction.

Contribution

It proposes an integrated methodological framework for designing adaptive robotic systems that enhance operator support and inclusivity, considering socio-ethical impacts.

Findings

MATE systems can adapt to operator's current status.

Design promotes inclusive and user-friendly robotic interfaces.

Discussion of ethical and organizational factors in deploying MATE systems.

Abstract

With the increasing complexity of modern industrial automatic and robotic systems, an increasing burden is put on the operators, who are requested to supervise and interact with very complex systems, typically under challenging and stressful conditions. To overcome this issue, it is necessary to adopt a responsible approach based on the anthropocentric design methodology, such that machines adapt to the humans capabilities, and not vice versa. Moving along these lines, in this paper we consider an integrated methodological design approach, which we call MATE, consisting in devising complex automatic or robotic solutions that measure current operator's status, adapting the interaction accordingly, and providing her/him with proper training to improve the interaction and learn lacking skills and expertise. Accordingly, a MATE system is intended to be easily usable for all users, thus meeting the principles of inclusive design. Using such a MATE system gives rise to several ethical and social implications, which are discussed in this paper. Additionally, a discussion about which factors in the organization of companies are critical with respect to the introduction of a MATE system is presented.