Enhancing user experience in human-robot interaction in manufacturing

Tong, Yanzhang 2025. Enhancing user experience in human-robot interaction in manufacturing. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

Robotic systems hold significant potential for transforming industrial environments; however, ensuring a positive and effective User Experience (UX) in Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) remains a major challenge. While technical performance is crucial, factors such as user trust, cognitive load, and collaboration satisfaction are equally vital for the success of Human-Robot Collaboration (HRC). This thesis adopts a User-Centred Design (UCD) approach, tailored to the manufacturing context, to systematically evaluate and enhance UX in HRI. Through semi-structured interviews with 19 factory employees and subsequent qualitative analysis, the study identifies 12 key UX themes spanning five facets, including physical interaction, cognitive load, and emotional response. These findings inform the development of the HRI UX Assessment Framework, which offers structured guidance for designing more intuitive and user-friendly robotic systems in industrial settings. Two case studies explore the integration of Augmented Reality (AR) into HRC tasks to address challenges related to trust and cognitive load. In the first case, AR-based robot facial expressions were compared with screen-based displays during a collaborative task. In the second case, a UCD-driven AR-assisted assembly system significantly enhanced task accuracy (97.49%) and user satisfaction, while also reducing cognitive workload. To facilitate broader implementation, a self-report questionnaire was developed based on the UX framework and validated through surveys conducted with 358 workers across 35 factories. Exploratory factor analysis identified two core dimensions, comprehensive operational efficiency and cognitive usability, thus establishing a reliable UX measurement tool for industrial applications. Overall, this research presents a scalable, human-centred approach to the design and evaluation of robotic systems in manufacturing, contributing to the advancement of HRI practices and laying the groundwork for safer, more efficient, and user-friendly robotic collaboration.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Date Type:	Completion
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Schools > Engineering
Uncontrolled Keywords:	1. Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) 2. User Experience (UX) 3. Augmented Reality (AR) 4. User-Centred Design (UCD) 5. Human-Robot Collaboration (HRC) 6. UX Assessment Framework
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	19 August 2025
Last Modified:	20 Aug 2025 08:38
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/180543

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