The Inhumanity of the Human Factor: Exploring the Language of Human-Robot Collaboration: A Scoping Study on Cobot Introduction Methodologies in Manufacturing

This study delves into the emerging research area of collaborative robots (cobots) in the context of Industry 4.0, where digitalization, automation, data analytics, and artificial intelligence converge. Focusing on 16 articles published between 2017 and 2023, a scoping study was conducted to map and summarize the methodologies for cobot introduction in manufacturing. The analysis emphasizes the language used to describe the human counterpart next to the cobot, revealing prevalent terms such as "human," "worker," "user," and "operator." Notably, these terms often dehumanize individuals, framing them as mere components in the manufacturing process. The study also scrutinizes the intention behind these articles, highlighting a shared aim to enhance efficiency through cobot integration. However, the discussion questions the effectiveness of reducing the human factor to measurable quantities, emphasizing the importance of considering individual context and expertise in the evolving landscape of human-robot collaboration.