ADDRESSING COLLABORATIVE CHALLENGES IN HUMAN-ROBOT TEAMS THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN IMMERSIVE VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT

Technological innovations in construction, like robots, pose a challenge in collaborating effectively with humans. An immersive virtual environment (IVE) addresses this by simulating human-robot interactions safely. This study developed an IVE that accurately represents the real-world setting for human-robot teams. It integrates essential elements like equipment, tools, and objects for construction tasks. The virtual environment depicts real-time interaction between human operators and virtual robots as typical of construction environments and scenarios. It effectively enhances construction workers' and operators' interaction and collaboration with robots, familiarising them with capabilities, limitations, and behaviour. Moreover, it facilitates testing and evaluating different human-robot interaction methods, interfaces, and control approaches to precede implementation on construction sites. Overall, the IVE provides a controlled and safe platform for training, allowing operators to become proficient in working with construction robots while optimising their performance and safety in real-world construction settings.