Cognitive work protection—A new approach for occupational safety in human-machine interaction

Abstract

Previous occupational safety concepts in human-machine interaction scenarios are based on the principle of spatial separation, reduction of collision force or distance monitoring between humans and robots. Collaborative robot systems and semi-automated machines are working closely with people in more and more areas, both spatially and functionally. Therefor a new approach for occupational safety in close human-machine collaboration scenarios is presented. It relies on a real-time EEG measurement of human workers with brain computer interfaces and a subsequent adjustment of the robot system based on the detected cognitive states.