Collaborative robots are among the key enabling technologies of the fourth industrial revolution and have the potential to change the way people and machines physically interact. Such collaborative robotics applications can be successful in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) only if they are properly implemented, taking into account safety and ergonomics of the shared workplace. This chapter first reviews safety standards, methods for risk assessment, and the concept of ergonomics of workplaces. The chapter discusses why collaborative robotics can be seen as important potential for SMEs and what the challenges are that SMEs are facing when implementing collaborative workspaces in the company. In conclusion, the chapter gives recommendations for future topics of research to overcome the barrier to introducing smart automation in SMEs.


    Access

    Download


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    The Opportunities and Challenges of SME Manufacturing Automation: Safety and Ergonomics in Human–Robot Collaboration


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    2020-01-03



    Type of media :

    Article/Chapter (Book)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English



    Classification :

    DDC:    629




    Unsettled Issues on Human-Robot Collaboration and Automation in Aerospace Manufacturing

    Webb, Philip / Fletcher, Sarah | SAE Technical Papers | 2020



    Future Challenges in Automobile Manufacturing Ergonomics

    Peacock, B. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1993


    Industrial Robot Ethics: The Challenges of Closer Human Collaboration in Future Manufacturing Systems

    Fletcher, S. R. / Webb, P. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2017


    Safety, Ergonomics and Efficiency in Human-Robot Collaborative Assembly: Design Guidelines and Requirements

    Gualtieri, Luca / Rauch, Erwin / Vidoni, Renato et al. | BASE | 2020

    Free access