Work environment safety with robots at construction sites

Research problem and specific questionsBuilding construction is associated with high numbers of work accidents and injuries.

Parts of these problems can be remedied by automation, where heavy, dangerous, and strenuous tasks are taken over from humans. Today, robots have started to arrive at construction sites, andmore are expected to come.

However, human-robot work collaboration (HRWC) also brings novel hazards and potential problems, emanating for example from the interaction and collaboration between humans and autonomous robots in a shared workspace.

So far, much research hasfocused on technical aspects of how robots can be made safe, but less work has been done studying the human side of the problem space.

This project develops new knowledge about the work environment risks of HRWC in building construction, and how those risks can be managed.The overarching research questions are:- How does the work environment risk landscape in building construction change as HRWC isimplemented, and how is this understood by the industry?- Which new risks are introduced, and how can they be framed from a work systems approach?- How can the new risks be managed from a work systems approach, especially considering the human aspect of the system?

Data and methodsAfter a scoping literature review, empirical data collection will be done through interviews and focus groups with practitioners about their experiences, views and understandings of work environment risks associated with HRWC, and observations of work practice. Analytical expert heuristic evaluation methods will be used for detailed mapping of the problem space.

Realistic usability tests in actual work settings will be performed to validate findings. Data analysis will use qualitative and quantitative methods, applying a work systems perspective.

Interpretation and drawing of conclusions will be processed in collaboration with practitioners. through dialogues mediated by preliminary project findings.

Societal relevance and utilizationThe work environment risks studied are a growing problem, and through extensive collaboration with practitioners in all phases of the project problem definition, interpretation of results and formulation of suggested solutions get relevance and applicability.

Plan for project realizationThe research questions will be addressed in four work packages, performed by two senior researchers and one PhD student in close collaboration with selected case organizations. Main cost: Work time.