Making construction work safer when people and robots team up using VR and wearables
Human-Robot Collaboration in Construction: Assessing Cognitive Factors for Construction Workers Using Virtual Reality-Wearable Devices-Data Analytics Integrated Approach
This project uses virtual reality and wearable sensors to monitor attention, stress, and fatigue in construction workers who work with robots to help make jobs safer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mississippi State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Mississippi State, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11196050 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you take part, you'll wear small sensors and use virtual-reality scenarios that mimic real construction tasks with robots. The team will record your attention, stress, and mental fatigue during these simulated and/or real on-site tasks. Researchers will analyze the sensor and VR data to spot patterns that lead to risky interactions and to design ways to reduce those risks.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are adult construction workers or tradespeople who work with or near collaborative robots, or those willing to join simulated robot-work sessions.
Not a fit: People who do not work in construction or will never interact with robots on the job are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reduce on-the-job accidents and improve worker health by detecting risky fatigue and stress states and guiding safer human-robot practices.
How similar studies have performed: Wearables and VR have been used successfully to detect fatigue and stress in other workplace settings, but using them specifically for human-robot collaboration in construction is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
Mississippi State, United States
- Mississippi State University — Mississippi State, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Jun — Mississippi State University
- Study coordinator: Wang, Jun
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.