Understanding the Psychological and Entrepreneurial Implications of NextGen Robotics

NRT trainees have the opportunity to participate in cutting-edge field research projects specifically designed to align NextGen robotic technological innovations with the market and organizational demands of the future of work and its workers. With offerings rotating on a regular basis, NRT trainees and fellows select from one of the following applications:

Workforce Reactions to Automation and Incorporation of Robots in Agricultural Settings

While there is clear industry demand for NextGen robots to assist with crop operations in tree fruit orchards, psychosocial barriers to human-robot collaboration remain. While new technologies, such as robots and autonomous systems, can dramatically increase productivity and decrease worker exposure to common agricultural risks (e.g., falls from heights), they risk exacerbating work-related stressors and psychological distress of employees due to fears of obsolescence and technology-induced job insecurity. Immersive field research in this area will examine job-related attitudes and behavioral reactions to working alongside NextGen robots in agricultural settings. NRT fellows participating in the study will collect data to examine health, safety, and job attitudinal outcomes among workers in orchards with NextGen robots in order to gain a more comprehensive understanding workforce psychosocial challenges that may otherwise impede successful adoption of technical advancements.

Using Psychology to Improve Product Design and the User Experience in Nuclear Settings

In addition to technical design advancements needed to accelerate the development and adoption of NextGen robots, NRT-LEAD fellows will engage in research to better understand psychosocial barriers and improve the user experience of the operating technicians. This second immersive study will uniquely technical expertise in the development of NextGen robots in nuclear settings with faculty expertise in occupational health psychology to identify optimal kinematics, dynamics, control, and planning of NextGen robots both from a technical design perspective as well as the user experience and associated psychosocial factors. NRT-LEAD trainees will develop a series of testable research hypotheses, implement qualitative and quantitative research methods to identify user needs and motivations, perform usability testing, and evaluate attitudinal and behavioral reactions to potential engineering design solutions.

Market Research: Developing Biomimetic Robots for Underwater Applications

In this immersive field study and drawing from prior coursework on Business Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship, NRT-LEAD fellows will conduct a market study of biometric robots used for underwater applications such as search, rescue, sensing, or repair. NRT trainees will review and learn several cases related to biometric robots, perform a market analysis, study customers’ characteristics, and write a business plan for the biometric robots. This immersive market study will offer trainees a deeper understanding of market analysis, customers, internal and external environments, and business planning related to next-generation robotics.