TRUST - Trust-building Robot training Using perspective SwiTching in XR

In modern manufacturing, robot-assisted quality inspection using sensors, cameras, and artificial intelligence (AI) to automatically detect defects and quality issues is crucial in reducing human error and increasing productivity. Advanced AI algorithms, specifically trained on relevant sensor data, can identify even the smallest deviations and defects, often faster and more reliably than humans, which supports productivity improvements. However, since undetected quality issues can have enormous financial consequences – one of the most common reasons for product recalls is unidentified quality issues in production – trust in these systems plays a major role in their implementation and operation. Therefore, appropriate training solutions are needed that foster understanding of these systems’ functionality and reliability for building trust while mitigating the risks of overtrust.

In the TRUST project, we investigate the potential of using virtual reality (VR) training solutions for building trust while preventing overtrust in robot-assisted quality inspection.
While in the real world, it's impossible, but in VR, users can step into the shoes of a robot, take its perspective, and do activities from a robot's view. Our project thus utilizes perspective-switching as an innovative didactic method to deepen cognitive understanding of the features of quality inspection robots and foster affective trust while actively highlighting the limitations of these technologies to reduce the risk of overtrust. We’ll implement and test this VR training solution at the University of Bamberg’s AI Experience Center, engaging business professionals and students. The insights gained will deepen our understanding of how perspective-taking with robots in VR can influence relevant psychological dynamics in Human-Robot Interaction and demonstrate how such training can improve the application and use of robots for quality inspection in practice.

The TRUST project is a collaboration of the University of Bamberg, the Mindport GmbH and Bamberg's AI Experience Center for SMEs. It is funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation action programme, via the Open Call #2 – MASTER issued and executed under project MASTER (grant agreement Nr. 101093079).