Human-Robot Teams. Spotlight on Psychological Acceptance Factors exemplified within the BUGWRIGHT2 Project

The project BUGWRIGHT2 is an interdisciplinary collaborative project co-funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 871260. The project aims to propel the digital-maritime revolution by developing an adaptable autonomous robotic solution for vessel-structure inspection and maintenance. From a psychological point of view, the implementation of autonomous robots in the work context changes work tasks, roles, and responsibilities from an all-human to a human-robot team setting. Therefore, concepts of psychological team research, humane work design, and technology acceptance need to be considered to realize the full potential of robotic solutions in the maritime sector. This e-book intends to spotlight 14 psychological topics identified as essential for the acceptance of an autonomous robotic solution developed within the BUGWRIGHT2 project through literature research and expert interviews. Each psychological topic is presented in a factsheet that summarizes the scientific input, provides appropriate literature recommendations, and concludes with recommendations for the BUGWRIGHT2 project. The factsheets are valuable for any researcher or practitioner interested or involved in implementing robotic solutions in a work environment.