Onososen, A and Musonda, I (2024) VR-based training methods in enhancing communication within human-robot teams in construction. In: Thomson, C (ed.) Proceedings of 40th Annual ARCOM Conference, 2-4 September 2024, London South Bank University, UK.
Abstract
The integration of robots into construction sites, propelled by advancements in robotic technologies, has generated interest in its application to transform the construction sector in terms of safety, productivity, and the quality of work. This human-robot collaboration is seen as beneficial, allowing humans to focus on tasks beyond the capabilities of robots. However, its implications for an already fragmented construction work environment and varying perceptions of robot adoption remain a concern. Despite the potential advantages of human-robot teaming (HRT), insights into challenges associated with traditional human-human teaming, such as adapting to flexible and responsive work setups, communication issues, suggest that the complexities of human-to-human relationships will be exacerbated in human-to-robot collaboration. Based on an experimental study of Virtual reality-based human-robot collaboration of 42 participants, this paper investigates how VR-based training methods enhance communication among human team members in the context of using robots in construction. It explicitly addresses communication breakdowns using the computer-mediated communication (CMC) theory, emphasizing the impact of these disparities on flexible HRT work arrangements and how they contribute to challenges in effective collaboration.
| Item Type: | Conference Paper (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | human-robot teaming; collaboration; communication; training; virtual reality; miscommunication; trust |
| Index terms: | construction sector, disparity, complexity, virtual reality, integration, collaboration, construction work, productivity, construction site, computer-mediated communication, experiment |
| Subjects: | virtual reality, data collection methods, operations management, work location, communication studies, management, social justice, organizational analysis, systems engineering, industry analysis |
| Topics: | Organizational Design, Site Management, Ethics, Digital Applications, Project Management, Research Practice, Engineering Principles, Information Management, Business Strategy |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
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