An Integrated Platform to Assess Neuromechanics of Human-Robot Collaboration

The growing integration of robots into human environments, especially in collaborative work settings, requires a deeper understanding of their impact on human operators’ behavior from both physical and cognitive perspectives. Evaluating the effects of Human-Robot Collaboration (HRC) requires capturing metrics from a variety of different physiological sources. This paper presents an experimental setup that combines multiple sensors and devices to deliver specific multimodal stimuli to operators, while simultaneously capturing data on muscular activity, gaze behavior, kinematic and dynamic parameters, and other relevant temporal variables. This approach enables a more comprehensive analysis of the impact of HRC on human performance. In this paper, we will discuss the technical aspects of the system in detail, including the description of the process workflow and its validation process. The experimental setup has been tested involving one subject performing manual handling tasks in collaboration with a robotic arm. These tasks are designed to introduce cognitive challenges associated with robot behavior, allowing us to investigate their impact on human ability to cope with unexpected events and inhibit movement, and the corresponding neuromotor outcomes. Preliminary data are reported and discussed.