In two separate studies, researchers with
the ATLAS Institute at the University of Colorado
Boulder have demonstrated how augmented reality
can be used to make working with robots safer
and more efficient.
We are looking at targeting situations where
users have to share a space and work in the
same space with robots.
When we are working with other people, we
are usually very good at communicating naturally
and effectively - it's usually pretty easy
to understand what someone else is telling
you, what they are doing, what they want you
to do.
But when working with robots, this is much
more challenging.
In one study subjects completed a task while
working in the same environment as a drone.
The task was thredding colored beads onto
string while visiting multiple work stations
the done was also moving between.
If the drone approached the station where
they were working, they had to step aside.
Using augmented reality, some of the research
subjects were shown the path where the drone
would fly while others were not.
In the other study, research subjects were
asked to fly a photography drone to take photos
of colored targets on a wall.
A portion of the subjects used handheld screens
as the viewfinder, while others had the viewfinder
projected into their field of view using augmented
reality headsets.
The results from both our studies demonstrate
the value that augmented reality can have
in improving human-robot interactions.
In the first study, participants were able
to work much more efficently with the robot
and the second study, participants were able
to operate the robot much more accuretly and
safely.
The team of researchers from ATLAS' IRON Lab
were the first to publish studies demonstrating
the value of augmented reality in human-robot
collaboration.
They anticipate many potential applications.
This research was initially motivated and
funded by NASA because they are very interested
in developing new ways for humans and robots
to work together on the international space
station and for future space exploration missions.
We are really excited about taking this research
to many other domains as well.
We are looking at everything from helping
workers on assembly lines in manufacturing
processes to developing new partnerships with
emergency responders using this technology
to help fight wildfires.
