Learning curves in collaborative assembly work stations: An experimental study

This study explores the learning curves in collaborative assembly workstations through an experimental study aiming to evaluate performance increases across repeating tasks. The participants were split into two groups: one that assembled the sample manually and the other that used collaborative robots, or cobots. For each trial, performance metrics—specifically, assembly times—were recorded as each participant finished an assembly task that were repeated eighteen times.The study included ten participants in all, and each participant's data was collected separately. This study provides valuable insights into the optimization of assembly line operations, emphasizing the benefits of integrating cobots alongside human workers. The research advances our understanding of learning dynamics in collaborative work situations by emphasizing individual performance and small, gradual improvements via repeated trials. The findings hold practical implications for designing efficient and productive assembly workstations that leverage both human skills and robotic assistance.