A novel human-centred approach using Axiomatic Design and Kansei engineering for designing physically and cognitively safe human-robot collaborative workstations

Human-centred design of collaborative human–robot (HRC) workspaces is central to Industry 5.0. While proximity with collaborative robots offers productivity and flexibility gains, it also raises concerns for both physical safety and cognitive ergonomics. Although physical safety is well addressed, f...

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Main Authors: A. Bonello, C.A Brown, E. Francalanza, M.V. Gauci, P. Refalo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Production and Manufacturing Research: An Open Access Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/21693277.2025.2508451
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author A. Bonello
C.A Brown
E. Francalanza
M.V. Gauci
P. Refalo
author_facet A. Bonello
C.A Brown
E. Francalanza
M.V. Gauci
P. Refalo
author_sort A. Bonello
collection DOAJ
description Human-centred design of collaborative human–robot (HRC) workspaces is central to Industry 5.0. While proximity with collaborative robots offers productivity and flexibility gains, it also raises concerns for both physical safety and cognitive ergonomics. Although physical safety is well addressed, few studies integrate cognitive and physical well-being into workstation design. This research presents a novel approach that combines Kansei Engineering (KE) with Suh’s Axiomatic Design (AD) to support physically and cognitively safe HRC workstations. Unlike existing studies that rely solely on Suh’s Axiom 1 (maintain independence), this work also takes into account Axiom 2 (minimise information) to select between equally independent physical and cognitive design parameters. The approach is demonstrated through a case-study workstation, visually illustrating the relationship between functional and physical metrics. This study advances the field by providing a novel replicable, human-centred approach that unites cognitive and physical ergonomics,bridging theory and practical application for both academic and industrial contexts.
format Article
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institution Kabale University
issn 2169-3277
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publishDate 2025-12-01
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series Production and Manufacturing Research: An Open Access Journal
spelling doaj-art-ced5e9d9412b4b8a86f1253918f2133d2025-08-20T03:47:12ZengTaylor & Francis GroupProduction and Manufacturing Research: An Open Access Journal2169-32772025-12-0113110.1080/21693277.2025.2508451A novel human-centred approach using Axiomatic Design and Kansei engineering for designing physically and cognitively safe human-robot collaborative workstationsA. Bonello0C.A Brown1E. Francalanza2M.V. Gauci3P. Refalo4Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malta, Msida, MaltaDepartment of Mechanical & Materials Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA, USADepartment of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malta, Msida, MaltaDepartment of Disability Studies, Faculty for Social Wellbeing, University of Malta, Msida, MaltaDepartment of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malta, Msida, MaltaHuman-centred design of collaborative human–robot (HRC) workspaces is central to Industry 5.0. While proximity with collaborative robots offers productivity and flexibility gains, it also raises concerns for both physical safety and cognitive ergonomics. Although physical safety is well addressed, few studies integrate cognitive and physical well-being into workstation design. This research presents a novel approach that combines Kansei Engineering (KE) with Suh’s Axiomatic Design (AD) to support physically and cognitively safe HRC workstations. Unlike existing studies that rely solely on Suh’s Axiom 1 (maintain independence), this work also takes into account Axiom 2 (minimise information) to select between equally independent physical and cognitive design parameters. The approach is demonstrated through a case-study workstation, visually illustrating the relationship between functional and physical metrics. This study advances the field by providing a novel replicable, human-centred approach that unites cognitive and physical ergonomics,bridging theory and practical application for both academic and industrial contexts.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/21693277.2025.2508451Axiomatic designcollaborative workstationcognitivequantificationKansei Engineering
spellingShingle A. Bonello
C.A Brown
E. Francalanza
M.V. Gauci
P. Refalo
A novel human-centred approach using Axiomatic Design and Kansei engineering for designing physically and cognitively safe human-robot collaborative workstations
Production and Manufacturing Research: An Open Access Journal
Axiomatic design
collaborative workstation
cognitive
quantification
Kansei Engineering
title A novel human-centred approach using Axiomatic Design and Kansei engineering for designing physically and cognitively safe human-robot collaborative workstations
title_full A novel human-centred approach using Axiomatic Design and Kansei engineering for designing physically and cognitively safe human-robot collaborative workstations
title_fullStr A novel human-centred approach using Axiomatic Design and Kansei engineering for designing physically and cognitively safe human-robot collaborative workstations
title_full_unstemmed A novel human-centred approach using Axiomatic Design and Kansei engineering for designing physically and cognitively safe human-robot collaborative workstations
title_short A novel human-centred approach using Axiomatic Design and Kansei engineering for designing physically and cognitively safe human-robot collaborative workstations
title_sort novel human centred approach using axiomatic design and kansei engineering for designing physically and cognitively safe human robot collaborative workstations
topic Axiomatic design
collaborative workstation
cognitive
quantification
Kansei Engineering
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/21693277.2025.2508451
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