Towards Inclusive and Accessible Industrial Workstations by Shaping Safe and Adaptive Human-Robot Collaboration

Human-robot collaboration combines the strengths of human workers with the capabilities of robots, creating opportunities to improve inclusion and accessibility in manufacturing environments. This study investigates the integration of adaptive workstations within human-robot systems to close gaps in safety and diversity in industrial settings. The presented design and safety Framework incorporates workstations with adjustable heights, flexible tool positioning, and multimodal communication interfaces to accommodate workers with varying physical and cognitive abilities. Through a collaborative assembly use case, the study demonstrates how robots can handle repetitive and physically demanding tasks while human workers focus on skill-dependent activities. This approach improves task efficiency and fosters workforce inclusivity, providing a pathway for integrating individuals with disabilities into the primary labor market. The findings emphasize the need to shift towards adaptive, human-centered design to ensure equitable participation in industrial workplaces.