Using Augmented Reality technology to improve health and safety for workers in Human Robot Collaboration environment: A literature review

Abstract: Human Robot Collaboration (HRC) allows humans to operate more efficiently by reducing their human effort. Robots can do the majority of difficult and repetitive activities with or without human input. There is a risk of accidents and crashes when people and robots operate together closely. In this area, safety is extremely important. There are various techniques to increase worker safety, and one of the ways is to use Augmented Reality (AR). AR implementation in industries is still in its early stages. The goal of this study is to see how employees' safety may be enhanced when AR is used in an HRC setting. A literature review is carried out, as well as a case study in which managers and engineers from Swedish firms are questioned about their experiences with AR-assisted safety. This is a qualitative exploratory study with the goal of gathering extensive insight into the field, since the goal is to explore approaches for AR to improve safety. Inductive qualitative analysis was used to examine the data. Visualisation, awareness, ergonomics, and communication are the most critical areas where AR may improve safety, according to the studies. When doing a task, augmented reality aids the user in visualizing instructions and information, allowing them to complete the task more quickly and without mistakes. When working near robots, AR enhances awareness and predicts mishaps, as well as worker trust in a collaborative atmosphere. When AR is utilized to engage with collaborative robots, it causes less physical and psychological challenges than when traditional approaches are employed. AR allows operators to communicate with robots without having to touch them, as well as make adjustments. As a result, accidents are avoided and safety is ensured. There is a gap between theoretical study findings and data gathered from interviews in real time. Even though AR and HRC are not new topics, and many studies are being conducted on them, there are key aspects that influence their adoption in sectors. Due to considerations such as education, experience, suitability, system complexity, time, and technology, HRC and AR are employed less for assuring safety in industries by managers in various firms. In this study, possible future solutions to these challenges are also presented.