Matching Input and Output Devices and Physical Disabilities for Human-Robot Workstations

Matching Input and Output Devices and Physical Disabilities for Human-Robot Workstations Carlo Weidemann 1,, Nils Mandischer 2,, and Burkhard Corves 1 Abstract -- As labor shortage is rising at an alarming rate, it is imperative to enable all people to work, particularly people with disabilities and elderly people. Robots are often used as universal tool to assist people with disabilities. However, for such human-robot workstations universal design fails. We mitigate the challenges of selecting an individualized set of input and output devices by matching devices required by the work process and individual disabilities adhering to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities passed by the United Nations. The objective is to facilitate economically viable workstations with just the required devices, hence, lowering overall cost of corporate inclusion and during redesign of workplaces. Our work focuses on developing an efficient approach to filter input and output devices based on a person's disabilities, resulting in a tailored list of usable devices. The methodology enables an automated assessment of devices compatible with specific disabilities defined in International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. In many countries, companies are obliged by law to include people with disabilities (PwD). Meanwhile, the labor shortage is ever-present. Due to over-aging demographics and the trend towards less immigration, the gap between open positions and skilled laborers is growing and there is no turning point in sight. However, enabling skilled people to participate who would otherwise not be able to work due to congenital (PwD) or acquired (elderly, accident victims) disabilities, can become this exact turning point.