Online and Offline Robot Programming via Augmented Reality Workspaces

TL;DR

This paper introduces an augmented reality interface that allows users to program and control industrial robots remotely by modeling virtual workspaces, reducing safety risks and reprogramming costs.

Contribution

It presents a novel AR interface enabling remote robot programming through virtual workspace modeling, avoiding the need for proximity to the real robot.

Findings

High usability and intuitiveness demonstrated in user study

Participants successfully programmed robot tasks remotely

Reduced safety hazards by avoiding physical proximity

Abstract

Robot programming methods for industrial robots are time consuming and often require operators to have knowledge in robotics and programming. To reduce costs associated with reprogramming, various interfaces using augmented reality have recently been proposed to provide users with more intuitive means of controlling robots in real-time and programming them without having to code. However, most solutions require the operator to be close to the real robot's workspace which implies either removing it from the production line or shutting down the whole production line due to safety hazards. We propose a novel augmented reality interface providing the users with the ability to model a virtual representation of a workspace which can be saved and reused to program new tasks or adapt old ones without having to be co-located with the real robot. Similar to previous interfaces, the operators then have the ability to program robot tasks or control the robot in real-time by manipulating a virtual robot. We evaluate the intuitiveness and usability of the proposed interface with a user study where 18 participants programmed a robot manipulator for a disassembly task.