Anthropomorphism in the factory - a paradigm change?

In recent years there has been a tendency towards industrial robots which are cheaper in acquisition and need less expert programming and maintenance. Several approaches use a combination of humanoid and industrial robot elements. This new direction away from dull, dirty and dangerous to a functional “buddy” robot enables new HRI scenarios within the factory context towards a “shoulder-to-shoulder” cooperation. One important point is to understand users´ expectations for both types of robots. We conducted a video-based focus group to explore general expectations of naïve users towards functional and humanoid robots within a special factory context. A comparison of the results indicates that anthropomorphic elements in the design of robotic systems can also be imagined for industrial robots. We conclude with opportunities for these hybrid anthropomorphized functional robots in an industrial environment.