Operator - mobile robot collaboration for synchronized part movement

Abstract Mobile robotic platforms have become increasingly popular. Commercially available versions of mobile robots are designed to support human operators in typical production environments. They may be used for transferring parts from one place to another, as well as for assisting the operator in a series of tasks, by utilizing the dexterity of their arm and end effector. This paper focuses on the development of a novel approach that allows the handling and transportation of parts through the simultaneous operation of human operators and mobile robots. In particular, a straightforward, easy to implement control strategy is used to adapt the operation of the mobile robot to the tasks carried out by the operator. This paper discusses also the advantages of introducing mobile robots in typical industrial environments and compares their potential against fully automated robotic solutions.