Abstract
This article presents a Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) platform for the assembly process of a condensate pump. An ergonomic analysis using the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) is carried out using a simulation package to identify the fatigue levels in the upper-arm region during the assembly process of the pump. From the operator feedback and the RULA score, an HRI platform using a collaborative robot (cobot) is proposed for the assembly process. Based on complexity and dexterity, the screwdriving operation was assigned to the cobot. The RULA analysis was revisited for this platform and it showed an improvement in the ergonomic scores from 7 to 3. The magnitude of fatigue imposed on the upper-arm was then analyzed experimentally using Electromyography (EMG) sensors. By using the Support Vector Machine (SVM) technique, the fatigue levels were interpreted before and after the implementation of the HRI platform. The results suggest that the HRI platform helps to mitigate musculoskeletal problems in the future, thereby promoting a healthier and safer worker environment. By exploiting the capabilities of a cobot, a synergy between humans and automation technologies can be achieved, leading to a sustainable and ergonomic future in manufacturing.
