A Study on the Usability Test Method of Collaborative Robot Based on ECG Measurement

Abstract

Collaborative robots can work with operator, it used situations that handing things over or moving heavy objects next to the workers. It is most important to ensure the safety of users as a condition for using collaborative robots. Therefore, the use of ECG sensors, which can measure the body’s autonomic nervous system reactions, in usability evaluations is a way to derive objective results from users. In this study, we tried to develop an objective usability evaluation index for collaborative robot products by conducting a usability evaluation of collaborative robot products based on heart rate measurement. We recruited 12 undergraduates with engineering majors (F = 6, M = 6, 23.75 ± 2.60 yrs). When the subjects expressed their intention to learn enough about how to use the collaborative robot, the subjects provided a 10-minute break to adjust the learning effect. Subjects wore ECG sensor (Bioharness, ZephyrTM Co.) to measure heart rate during break time. Subjects performed usability test of collaborative robot after the break (10 min) and continuously measured heart rate during the usability test. In comparisons between break time and the usability test of the collaborative robot, more heart rate was increased in usability test of collaborative robot than break time (p = 0.01). A significant positive correlation between the change value of heart rate and the time of usability test was shown (r = 601, p = 0.024). We found that heart rate can express the user’s autonomic nervous system response to product use in usability evaluation, and check the convenience of using collaborative robot.