Towards Real-Time Task Allocation in Human-Robot Collaboration: Defining Key Requirements and Features for a Multi-Simulation Digital Twin System 

  • a Alessio Baratta
  • b Antonio Cimino 
  • a  Alessandro Chiurco, 
  • a Francesco Longo
  • a Giovanni Mirabelli, 
  • c Letizia Nicoletti
  • a Department of Mechanical, Energy and Management Engineering, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
  • b Department of Innovation Engineering, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
  • c CAL-TEK S.r.l., 87036 Rende, Italy
Cite as
Baratta A., Cimino A., Chiurco A., Longo F., Mirabelli G., Nicoletti L. (2024). Towards Real-Time Task Allocation in Human-Robot Collaboration: Defining Key Requirements and Features for a Multi-Simulation Digital Twin System. Proceedings of the 36th European Modeling & Simulation Symposium (EMSS 2024), 036. DOI: https://doi.org/10.46354/i3m.2024.emss.036

Abstract

The Fourth Industrial Revolution, or Industry 4.0, introduces transformative changes in manufacturing by integrating advanced digital technologies, with Human-Robot Collaboration playing a central role. This paper conducts a comprehensive literature review to identify critical research gaps in the field of Human-Robot Collaboration within the context of Industry 4.0, focusing on task allocation between humans and robots in assembly lines, and defines key requirements and features necessary for developing a multi-simulation-based Digital Twin. The review reveals that existing studies often adopt a fragmented approach, concentrating either on productivity or ergonomic aspects without integrating them holistically. Additionally, it highlights the inconsistent use of ergonomic methodologies and the lack of real-time, operator-driven solutions in current Digital Twin models. These gaps are addressed by key requirements and features necessary for developing a multi-simulation-based Digital Twin system that optimizes task allocation in Human-Robot Collaboration environments. The identified requirements include the integration of ergonomic and productivity data, real-time data exchange capabilities, and the use of established ergonomic methodologies. 

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