Nassar, Y.; Albeaino, G.; Jeelani, I.; Gheisari, M. and Issa, R. R. A. (2026) Human-robot collaboration levels in construction with mobile ground robots: Cognitive workload, safety perception, and attitudes. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 152(9): 04026155, ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
The use of mobile ground robots on construction sites has increased significantly, and humans are expected to collaborate with these robots more frequently in the future. However, limited research has examined how individuals perceive such collaboration in construction settings. Addressing this gap is important, as human perceptions may vary depending on the level of collaboration with mobile ground robots - a factor that could influence overall collaboration efficiency and safety. To investigate this, a between-subject experimental study was conducted to explore individuals' perceptions when collaborating with mobile ground robots during a real-world material handling and bricklaying task. Three collaboration levels were examined - coexistence, cooperation, and collaboration - representing different modes of human-robot task interaction in construction. Results indicated that collaborating with mobile ground robots may reduce perceived workload, particularly physical demand, compared to simply cooperating or coexisting with them. However, other cognitive workload factors (mental demand, temporal demand, performance, effort, and frustration), as well as perceived safety risk and attitudes toward robots, did not differ significantly across the three collaboration levels. These findings provide empirical insights into how individuals experience and perceive collaboration with mobile ground robots across different interaction levels in construction. By characterizing human perceptual responses to these collaboration modes, this study advances understanding of human-robot collaboration in construction and establishes a foundation for future research aimed at improving collaboration effectiveness and interaction design in dynamic construction environments.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Index terms: | cooperation, interaction, effectiveness, workload, collaboration, material handling, construction site, efficiency, experiment |
| Subjects: | data collection methods, behavioral psychology, work location, performance management, psychology, management, product delivery |
| Topics: | Site Management, Quality Management, Research Practice, Human Resources, Supply Chain Management, Organizational Design |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCE |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here