Remotely controlling robots in dangerous environments is changing the way industries keep their workers safe. At the Department of Mechanical Engineering at POSTECH, a team led by Professor Keehoon Kim and Ph.D. candidate Jaehyun Park has created groundbreaking haptic devices that bring a new level of control and safety to high-risk workspaces. These tools allow people to guide robots from a distance, using precise touch feedback. As a result, fewer workers need to be exposed to dangers in places like factories and steel mills.
The Challenge of Controlling Robots from Afar
Robots have come a long way, yet many jobs still require the careful guidance and skill of human hands—especially when the work must be accurate, or when people are at risk. Remote robot operation can be difficult, and small mistakes in complex situations can lead to serious accidents. To make these jobs safer, controlling robots must feel more natural and reliable.
A New Generation of Haptic Devices
To solve these challenges, the POSTECH team designed two remarkable devices. They are named POstick-KF and POstick-VF, each offering unique ways to connect people with machines.
- POstick-KF (Kinesthetic Feedback): This device lets users feel exactly what the robot feels. When the robot pushes or pulls something, the operator senses the same force in real time. This sense of touch is vital for careful tasks, helping users perform complicated work without being at risk themselves. Operators gain an immediate feel for resistance and movement, making each action more certain and controlled.
- POstick-VF (Visuo-tactile Feedback): Merging both touch and sight, this device gives feedback through both physical sensations and visual cues. The experience is immersive: operators not only see what the robot is doing but also feel it. This option works especially well in wide or crowded spaces, providing clear awareness and higher precision.
Features That Make a Difference
Both devices are designed to look and feel like real tools, making them easy for new users to handle. They can be chosen based on the workspace or the user’s familiarity, adding flexibility wherever they are used.
- Improved Safety and Fewer Mistakes: The instant feedback warns users if a collision or problem is about to happen, giving them time to react and keep both people and robots safe.
- Better Training and Learning: Tests have shown that people using the POstick-VF get better with practice. This makes the device not just a work tool, but also an effective training companion.
- Modern Technologies Included: The system works with digital twin technology and augmented reality (AR). This means operators can practice and visualize robot tasks in a virtual world before handling real machines, boosting focus and confidence.
Shaping the Future of Industrial Safety
This technology marks a new era for industrial sites. By letting robots act as extensions of human skill, it shields workers from danger and reduces the strain of tough tasks. Jobs that once put people at risk can now be managed with safety and accuracy in mind.
Professor Keehoon Kim has shared his hope: that this innovation will make workplaces safer while easing the demands on workers everywhere. By bringing a human touch to robot control, these devices show how technology can protect people and open doors to new ways of working.
As industries keep growing and changing, these smart haptic devices stand as a testament to how thoughtful design and technology can help safeguard workers and create a brighter, safer future for everyone.
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