Virtual reality-based safety training in human-robot collaboration scenario: User experiences testing

Robotic safety is an imperative topic, especially in Human-robot collaboration (HRC). The main objective of safety training in Virtual Reality (VR) is to visualize the safety-related regulations, standards, and guidance for robotics operators. We believe that this is the best approach for explaining the complex language used in various directives and standards. The primary aim of the paper is to introduce the VR-based safety training environment and provide a user experience evaluation for the developed system. The user experience test consisted of a usability test survey based on System Usability Scale (SUS) and an open discussion questionnaire regarding VR application and its elements. The result of the survey presented acceptance of the system by an average SUS score of 80%. Open discussions indicated that VR-based safety training is favored over traditional methods and provides a memorable experience. VR characteristics such as a sense of presence and interactive visual environment uncovered the transformation of abstract regulation terminologies into tangible safety measures and concepts such as hazardous areas, working zones, and collaborative levels. Lastly, the paper discusses the potential improvements of the system and the possibilities of utilizing VR for industrial training purposes.