scholarly journals Analysing Factory Workers’ Acceptance of Collaborative Robots: A Web-Based Tool for Company Representatives

Electronics ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 145
Author(s):  
Marco Baumgartner ◽  
Tobias Kopp ◽  
Steffen Kinkel
Keyword(s):  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Daily Practice ◽  
Factory Workers ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Collaborative Robots ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
New Type ◽  
Low Threshold ◽  
Collaborative Robot ◽  
Practical Recommendations

Collaborative robots are a new type of lightweight robots that are especially suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises. They offer new interaction opportunities and thereby pose new challenges with regard to technology acceptance. Despite acknowledging the importance of acceptance issues, small and medium-sized enterprises often lack coherent strategies to identify barriers and foster acceptance. Therefore, in this article, we present a collection of crucial acceptance factors with regard to collaborative robot use at the industrial workplace. Based on these factors, we present a web-based tool to estimate employee acceptance, to provide company representatives with practical recommendations and to stimulate reflection on acceptance issues. An evaluation with three German small and medium-sized enterprises reveals that the tool’s concept meets the demands of small and medium-sized enterprises and is perceived as beneficial as it raises awareness and deepens knowledge on this topic. In order to realise economic potentials, further low-threshold usable tools are needed to transfer research findings into the daily practice of small and medium-sized enterprises.

scholarly journals Facilitators and barriers to the utilization of the ACT SMART Implementation Toolkit in community-based organizations: a qualitative study

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aksheya Sridhar ◽  
Amy Drahota ◽  
Kiersten Walsworth
Keyword(s):  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Technology Acceptance Model ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Science Literature ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Community Based Organizations ◽  
Facilitators And Barriers ◽  
Acceptance Model

Abstract Background Evidence-based practices (EBPs) have been shown to improve behavioral and mental health outcomes for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Research suggests that the use of these practices in community-based organizations is varied; however, the utilization of implementation guides may bridge the gap between research and practice. The Autism Community Toolkit: Systems to Measure and Adopt Research-Based Treatments (ACT SMART) Implementation Toolkit is a web-based implementation toolkit developed to guide organization-based implementation teams through EBP identification, adoption, implementation, and sustainment in ASD community-based organizations. Methods This study examined the facilitators and barriers (collectively termed “determinants”) to the utilization of this toolkit, based on the perspectives of implementation teams at six ASD community-based organizations. Two independent coders utilized the adapted EPIS framework and the Technology Acceptance Model 3 to guide qualitative thematic analyses of semi-structured interviews with implementation teams. Results Salient facilitators (e.g., facilitation teams, facilitation meetings, phase-specific activities) and barriers (e.g., website issues, perceived lack of ease of use of the website, perceived lack of resources, inner context factors) were identified, highlighting key determinants to the utilization of this toolkit. Additionally, frequent determinants and determinants that differed across adapted EPIS phases of the toolkit were noted. Finally, analyses highlighted two themes: (a) Inner Context Determinants to use of the toolkit (e.g., funding) and (b) Innovation Determinants (e.g., all website-related factors), indicating an interaction between the two models utilized to guide study analyses. Conclusions Findings highlighted several factors that facilitated the utilization of this implementation guide. Additionally, findings identified key areas for improvement for future iterations of the ACT SMART Implementation Toolkit. Importantly, these results may inform the development, refinement, and utilization of implementation guides with the aim of increasing the uptake of EBPs in community-based organizations providing services to children with ASD and their families. Finally, these findings contribute to the implementation science literature by illustrating the joint use of the EPIS framework and Technology Acceptance Model 3 to evaluate the implementation of a web-based toolkit within community-based organizations.

scholarly journals CNN Training Using 3D Virtual Models for Assisted Assembly with Mixed Reality and Collaborative Robots

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 4269
Author(s):  
Kamil Židek ◽  
Ján Piteľ ◽  
Michal Balog ◽  
Alexander Hošovský ◽  
Vratislav Hladký ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Reality ◽  
Current Trend ◽  
Robot Vision ◽  
Processing Unit ◽  
Single Shot ◽  
Vision Systems ◽  
Collaborative Robots ◽  
Training Time ◽  
Position And Orientation ◽  
Collaborative Robot

The assisted assembly of customized products supported by collaborative robots combined with mixed reality devices is the current trend in the Industry 4.0 concept. This article introduces an experimental work cell with the implementation of the assisted assembly process for customized cam switches as a case study. The research is aimed to design a methodology for this complex task with full digitalization and transformation data to digital twin models from all vision systems. Recognition of position and orientation of assembled parts during manual assembly are marked and checked by convolutional neural network (CNN) model. Training of CNN was based on a new approach using virtual training samples with single shot detection and instance segmentation. The trained CNN model was transferred to an embedded artificial processing unit with a high-resolution camera sensor. The embedded device redistributes data with parts detected position and orientation into mixed reality devices and collaborative robot. This approach to assisted assembly using mixed reality, collaborative robot, vision systems, and CNN models can significantly decrease assembly and training time in real production.

scholarly journals Behavioural Study of the Force Control Loop Used in a Collaborative Robot for Sanding Materials

Materials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 67
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Pérez Ubeda ◽  
Santiago C. Gutiérrez Rubert ◽  
Ranko Zotovic Stanisic ◽  
Ángel Perles Ivars
Keyword(s):  
Force Control ◽  
Feed Rate ◽  
Significant Variation ◽  
Industrial Robots ◽  
Control Loop ◽  
Saturation State ◽  
Collaborative Robots ◽  
Increase Productivity ◽  
Different Characteristics ◽  
Collaborative Robot

The rise of collaborative robots urges the consideration of them for different industrial tasks such as sanding. In this context, the purpose of this article is to demonstrate the feasibility of using collaborative robots in processing operations, such as orbital sanding. For the demonstration, the tools and working conditions have been adjusted to the capacity of the robot. Materials with different characteristics have been selected, such as aluminium, steel, brass, wood, and plastic. An inner/outer control loop strategy has been used, complementing the robot’s motion control with an outer force control loop. After carrying out an explanatory design of experiments, it was observed that it is possible to perform the operation in all materials, without destabilising the control, with a mean force error of 0.32%. Compared with industrial robots, collaborative ones can perform the same sanding task with similar results. An important outcome is that unlike what might be thought, an increase in the applied force does not guarantee a better finish. In fact, an increase in the feed rate does not produce significant variation in the finish—less than 0.02 µm; therefore, the process is in a “saturation state” and it is possible to increase the feed rate to increase productivity.

scholarly journals Electronic Health Record Acceptance by Physicians: A Single Hospital Experience in Daily Practice

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-17
Author(s):  
Andrija Pavlovic ◽  
Nina Rajovic ◽  
Jasmina Pavlovic Stojanovic ◽  
Debora Akinyombo ◽  
Milica Ugljesic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Electronic Health Record ◽  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Daily Practice ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Health Record ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Electronic Health

Introduction: Potential benefits of implementing an electronic health record (EHR) to increase the efficiency of health services and improve the quality of health care are often obstructed by the unwillingness of the users themselves to accept and use the available systems. Aim: The aim of this study was to identify factors that influence the acceptance of the use of an EHR by physicians in the daily practice of hospital health care. Material and Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted among physicians in the General Hospital Pancevo, Serbia. An anonymous questionnaire, developed according to the technology acceptance model (TAM), was used for the assessment of EHR acceptance. The response rate was 91%. Internal consistency was assessed by Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. A logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors influencing the acceptance of the use of EHR. Results: The study population included 156 physicians. The mean age was 46.4 ± 10.4 years, 58.8% participants were female. Half of the respondents (50.1%) supported the use of EHR in comparison to paper patient records. In multivariate logistic regression modeling of social and technical factors, ease of use, usefulness, and attitudes towards use of EHR as determinants of the EHR acceptance, the following predictors were identified: use of a computer outside of the office for reading daily newspapers (p = 0.005), EHR providing a greater amount of valuable information (p = 0.007), improvement in the productivity by EHR use (p < 0.001), and a statement that using EHR is a good idea (p = 0.014). Overall the percentage of correct classifications in the model was 83.9%. Conclusion: In this research, determinants of the EHR acceptance were assessed in accordance with the TAM, providing an overall good model fit. Future research should attempt to add other constructs to the TAM in order to fully identify all determinants of physician acceptance of EHR in the complex environment of different health systems.

Europe continues to lead the way in the collaborative robot business

2016 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Bogue
Keyword(s):  
Automotive Industry ◽  
Market Development ◽  
Future Market ◽  
Collaborative Robots ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Production Methods ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Timely Review ◽  
New Applications ◽  
Collaborative Robot

Purpose – This paper aims to provide a European perspective on the collaborative robot business and to consider the factors governing future market development. Design/methodology/approach – Following an introduction, this first describes the collaborative robots launched recently by European manufacturers and their applications. It then discusses major European research activities and finally considers the factors stimulating the market. Findings – This article shows that collaborative robots are being commercialised by the major European robot manufacturers as well as by several smaller specialists. Although most have low payload capacities they are inexpensive and offer a number of operational benefits, making them well suited to a range of existing and emerging applications. Europe has a strong research base and several EU-funded programmes aim to stimulate collaborative robot development and use. Rapid market development is anticipated, driven in the main by applications in electronic product manufacture and assembly; new applications in the automotive industry; uses by small to medium-sized manufacturers; and companies seeking robots to support agile production methods. Originality/value – This paper provides a timely review of the rapidly developing European collaborative robot industry.

scholarly journals Human-Following Motion Planning and Control Scheme for Collaborative Robots Based on Human Motion Prediction

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fahad Iqbal Khawaja ◽  
Akira Kanazawa ◽  
Jun Kinugawa ◽  
Kazuhiro Kosuge
Keyword(s):  
Motion Planning ◽  
Human Motion ◽  
Human Robot Interaction ◽  
Collaborative Robots ◽  
Sensing System ◽  
Planning And Control ◽  
Control Scheme ◽  
Active Research ◽  
And Control ◽  
Collaborative Robot

Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) for collaborative robots has become an active research topic recently. Collaborative robots assist the human workers in their tasks and improve their efficiency. But the worker should also feel safe and comfortable while interacting with the robot. In this paper, we propose a human-following motion planning and control scheme for a collaborative robot which supplies the necessary parts and tools to a worker in an assembly process in a factory. In our proposed scheme, a 3-D sensing system is employed to measure the skeletal data of the worker. At each sampling time of the sensing system, an optimal delivery position is estimated using the real-time worker data. At the same time, the future positions of the worker are predicted as probabilistic distributions. A Model Predictive Control (MPC) based trajectory planner is used to calculate a robot trajectory that supplies the required parts and tools to the worker and follows the predicted future positions of the worker. We have installed our proposed scheme in a collaborative robot system with a 2-DOF planar manipulator. Experimental results show that the proposed scheme enables the robot to provide anytime assistance to a worker who is moving around in the workspace while ensuring the safety and comfort of the worker.

scholarly journals Student perception of usefulness and ease using Kahoot, a free web-based tool in a tertiary education setting

2020 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
pp. e47347
Author(s):  
Adeleye Idowu ◽  
Muesser Nat ◽  
Philip Siaw Kissi
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Tertiary Education ◽  
Student Perception ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Learning Game ◽  
Tertiary Teaching

 Kahoot is a free web-based application, which allows tertiary educators to incorporate gamified learning environments in tertiary teaching and learning. However, there is a shortage of literature on student acceptance and effective use in a learning environment. Therefore, this paper added system interactivity, task-technology and learning-game conflict factor into the Technology Acceptance Model to investigate students intention and usage of Kahoot. Structural Equation Modelling SEM using LISREL was employed to analyze data collected from 250 randomly selected university students. The questionnaires were carried out at the end of the semester, after their final examinations. The results revealed that system interactivity has positive influence (β = 0.311, p = 0.000) on perceived usefulness of Kahoot, while task-technology fit has influence (β = 0.173, p = 0.001) on Kahoot usage. Furthermore, findıngs show that learning-game conflict has (β = 0.096, p = 0.031) positive influence on student behavioral intention. The findings serve as a guide for planning, designing and implementing Kahoot to foster university students’ knowledge acquisition. Discussion and conclusion were provided.

scholarly journals Victims of cyberstalking in Serbia

Temida ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 89-108
Author(s):  
Marina Kovacevic-Lepojevic ◽  
Borko Lepojevic
Keyword(s):  
Personal Data ◽  
Male Victims ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Legal Reforms ◽  
Negative Comments ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Telephone Calls ◽  
E Mail

The aim of this paper is to present research findings on prevalence and characteristics of cyberstalking in Serbia. A web-based questionnaire was used to collect data from a group of respondents who were recruited by snowball sampling via e-mail. A total of 237 respondents completed the online questionnaire. The aim of the first part of this paper is to determine the notion of cyberstalking as well as, to review research about the prevalence and the nature of stalking. The main results are the following: 39,6 % of respondents reported stalking; every fourth stalking victim is a victims of cyberstalking; mostly, cyberstalking victims were female and perpetrators were male. Victims were stalked by: persistent sending of unwanted e-mails and telephone calls, spreading rumors, abusive and negative comments and threats, encouraged other users to harass, threaten or insult, manipulating with victim's personal data, sending malicious programs and files, etc. In Serbia, cyberstalking is not criminalized yet and there are no organizations to whom victims may appeal and ask for help. We are hoping that this research will raise the awareness on cyberstalking and serve as a base for further research and legal reforms regarding cyberstalking victimization in Serbia.

Using TAM to Explore Vocational Students’ Willingness to Adopt a Web-Based BIM Cost Estimating System

2014 ◽  
Vol 1079-1080 ◽  
pp. 1098-1102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun Wu Wu ◽  
I Ting Hsu ◽  
Hsin Yi Lin
Keyword(s):  
Cost Analysis ◽  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Technology Acceptance Model ◽  
Vocational School ◽  
Vocational Students ◽  
Cost Estimating ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Willingness To Adopt ◽  
Analysis System ◽  
Acceptance Model

In this study, the technology acceptance model (TAM) is used to analyze from a vocational school to usethe Web-based BIM cost analysis system developed in this study.

A character social network relationship map tool to facilitate digital humanities research

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chih-Ming Chen ◽  
Chung Chang ◽  
Yung-Ting Chen
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Digital Humanities ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Interaction Interface ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
System Effectiveness ◽  
Ancient Texts

PurposeDigital humanities aim to use a digital-based revolutionary new way to carry out enhanced forms of humanities research more effectively and efficiently. This study develops a character social network relationship map tool (CSNRMT) that can semi-automatically assist digital humanists through human-computer interaction to more efficiently and accurately explore the character social network relationships from Chinese ancient texts for useful research findings.Design/methodology/approachWith a counterbalanced design, semi-structured in-depth interview, and lag sequential analysis, a total of 21 research subjects participated in an experiment to examine the system effectiveness and technology acceptance of adopting the ancient book digital humanities research platform with and without the CSNRMT to interpret the characters and character social network relationships.FindingsThe experimental results reveal that the experimental group with the CSNRMT support appears higher system effectiveness on the interpretation of characters and character social network relationships than the control group without the CSNRMT, but does not achieve a statistically significant difference. Encouragingly, the experimental group with the CSNRMT support presents remarkably higher technology acceptance than the control group without the CSNRMT. Furthermore, use behaviors analyzed by lag sequential analysis reveal that the CSNRMT could assist digital humanists in the interpretation of character social network relationships. The results of the interview present positive opinions on the integration of system interface, smoothness of operation, and external search function.Research limitations/implicationsCurrently, the system effectiveness of exploring the character social network relationships from texts for useful research findings by using the CSNRMT developed in this study will be significantly affected by the accuracy of recognizing character names and character social network relationships from Chinese ancient texts. The developed CSNRMT will be more practical when the offered information about character names and character social network relationships is more accurate and broad.Practical implicationsThis study develops an ancient book digital humanities research platform with an emerging CSNRMT that provides an easy-to-use real-time interaction interface to semi-automatically support digital humanists to perform digital humanities research with the need of exploring character social network relationships.Originality/valueAt present, a real-time social network analysis tool to provide a friendly interaction interface and effectively assist digital humanists in the digital humanities research with character social networks analysis is still lacked. This study thus presents the CSNRMT that can semi-automatically identify character names from Chinese ancient texts and provide an easy-to-use real-time interaction interface for supporting digital humanities research so that digital humanists could more efficiently and accurately establish character social network relationships from the analyzed texts to explore complicated character social networks relationship and find out useful research findings.

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