Advancing sociotechnical systems theory: New principles for human-robot team design and development

Area of Science:

• Robotics
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Systems Engineering

Background:

• Sociotechnical Systems (STS) principles are crucial for designing complex systems.
• Human-Robot Teams (HRTs) present unique challenges requiring adapted STS principles.
• Existing STS frameworks may not fully address the nuances of human-robot collaboration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and adapt existing STS principles for HRT design and development.
• To introduce novel STS principles specifically for AI-enhanced HRTs.
• To provide a comprehensive framework guiding the creation of effective, trustworthy, and ethical HRTs.

Main Methods:

• Collaborative review of existing STS principles.
• Identification of principles relevant to HRTs.
• Development of a new framework with modifications and additions.

Main Results:

• A framework of 34 STS principles grouped into seven themes is presented.
• Eight new principles are introduced to address HRT dynamics, including Adaptive Autonomy and Ethical Considerations.
• The framework bridges traditional STS theory with AI-enhanced HRT development.

Conclusions:

• The proposed STS framework offers guidance for designing and developing human-robot teams.
• It emphasizes a human-centered approach, ethical considerations, and trust in HRT development.
• This work benefits researchers, developers, and organizations by addressing sociotechnical complexities in HRTs.