The collaboration scale: A novel approach for assessing robotic systems collaboration capabilities

In the transformative landscape of Industry 4.0 and the impending transition to Industry 5.0, the paradigm of collaborative robotics is emerging as a cornerstone, combining human and robotic distinctive abilities. This intersection is leading to a new era of ’human-centric’ manufacturing, where the integration of human with robots is not just an option, but a need. In particular, the shift towards Industry 5.0 highlights the return of the human element to technological processes, emphasising adaptability, customization, and collaboration between humans and machines. In this context, this study introduces the Collaboration Scale, a metric designed to evaluate the collaborative capabilities of robotic systems within this human-centred framework. This scale provides clear levels of collaboration across five foundational dimensions: Situation awareness, Adaptivity, Communication, Learning, and Mobility. The proposed scale has three objectives: (i) establishing a common language for practitioners and researchers, (ii) promoting innovation and standardisation in collaborative robotics, and (iii) providing a practical tool for assessing and comparing the collaborative capabilities of different systems. The framework aims to bridge the gap between current capabilities and future aspirations in robotics, while also promoting a human-centric approach for Industry 5.0.