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Collaborative Robots in Production Environments

Collaborative Robots in Production Environments

Employee qualification and acceptance for human-machine interaction
Tobias Wienzek ORCID Icon, Mathias Cuypers ORCID Icon
The introduction of new technologies poses a major challenge, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). At the same time, SMEs must rise to this challenge in order to keep pace technologically and economically. Employee acceptance is an important factor in ensuring that both the introduction and the long-term use of a technology are successful. At the same time, the introduction process also has a central influence on acceptance in the long term. This article uses the implementation of collaborative robotics as an example for examining such an introduction process, identifying the key factors that influence employee acceptance and the important role played by advanced employee training. It serves to highlight how the introduction process and employee training are seamlessly interlinked.
Industry 4.0 Science | Volume 42 | 2026 | Edition 2 | Pages 14-21 | DOI 10.30844/I4SE.26.2.14
Co-Determination Dialogues

Co-Determination Dialogues

A tool for human-centered AI implementation
Manfred Wannöffel ORCID Icon, Fabian Hoose ORCID Icon, Alexander Ranft, Claudia Niewerth ORCID Icon, Dirk Stüter
As part of the regional competence center humAIne, funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space (BMFTR), a process was developed using co-determination dialogues to establish a common understanding of the challenges involved in the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) between management, employees, and interest groups. Experiences from project partner companies such as Doncasters Precision Castings in Bochum GmbH (DPC) exemplify how co-determination dialogues not only help to develop legally binding regulations for manageable, operationally anchored, sustainable AI use but also initiate continuous qualification processes for all stakeholder groups in accordance with Articles 4 and 5 of the EU AI Act.
Industry 4.0 Science | Volume 42 | Edition 1 | Pages 92-98 | DOI 10.30844/I4SE.26.1.84
Loam Construction and Wooden Shelving

Loam Construction and Wooden Shelving

A contribution to sustainability in warehouse logistics
Viviano De Giacomo ORCID Icon, Nathalie Fritsch ORCID Icon, Jakob Kennert ORCID Icon, Dieter Uckelmann ORCID Icon
This study examines the contribution of natural building materials, in particular loam and wood, to the sustainable development of logistics infrastructure, assessing ecological, economic, and technical dimensions across the entire life cycle. Potentials, restrictions, and supportive framework conditions are identified based on literature analyses and expert interviews. Wood proves to be technically mature and ecologically advantageous, especially in high rack construction, while loam offers high potential for energy- and resource-efficient construction. The study concludes with recommendations for research, policy, and practice to establish circular construction methods in logistics.
Industry 4.0 Science | Volume 41 | Edition 6 | Pages 82-89
Quiz: Manufacturing in Space

Quiz: Manufacturing in Space

Test your knowledge!
Weightless production—just science fiction or already reality? Thanks to new space technologies, the first production processes are now emerging in space that enable materials and structures to be created that are virtually impossible to manufacture on Earth. From ultra-pure fibers to 3D printing of organs, weightlessness is opening up completely new perspectives for industries—and bringing space manufacturing closer to the present than many people think.
Potentials, Premises, Perspectives

Potentials, Premises, Perspectives

Using LLMs to reinterpret corporate knowledge management
Vanessa Kuks ORCID Icon, Pius Finkel ORCID Icon, Peter Wurster ORCID Icon
Demographic change is exacerbating the shortage of labor and skilled workers in the manufacturing industry, making knowledge management an increasingly important issue in many companies. Collecting and preserving tacit knowledge poses a particular challenge. This study examines the extent to which large language models (LLMs) can provide meaningful support in knowledge gathering through expert interviews. Three experts test and evaluate a personalized chatbot that has been developed using ChatGPT-5. The results of the interview are promising, but the summary shows room for improvement.
Industry 4.0 Science | Volume 41 | Edition 6 | Pages 48-56 | DOI 10.30844/I4SE.25.6.48
Explainable AI – XAI

Explainable AI – XAI

Making AI work in business and not just clever sounding
sponsored
European companies are investing heavily in AI. But many AI projects remain stuck in the pilot phase. The fault does not lie with the systems, but no one can explain their results. “The algorithm said so” is not a basis for costly decisions. Backwell Tech’s AI is both smart and transparent. This is how AI can give you a competitive advantage.
Camera-Based Ergonomics Assessment

Camera-Based Ergonomics Assessment

Developing a method for use in manual assembly
Jannik Liebchen ORCID Icon, Burak Vur, Michael Freitag ORCID Icon
Targeted ergonomic design of workplaces and processes can counteract the challenges of manual assembly and improve working conditions. However, current expert ergonomics assessments are time-consuming and resource-intensive. This article presents an automated assessment method based on the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA). Results from a laboratory study within an assembly scenario are consistent with expert evaluations.
Industry 4.0 Science | Volume 41 | 2025 | Edition 5 | Pages 120-126 | DOI 10.30844/I4SE.25.5.116
Optimizing the Budgeting Process with Digital Twins

Optimizing the Budgeting Process with Digital Twins

Dashboards and process mining for process-oriented performance measurement
Traditional budgeting often resembles a marathon full of spreadsheets, manual reconciliations and time-consuming data collection. However, modern companies need agile, data-driven solutions that allow for transparency, efficiency and strategic foresight. Digital technologies such as digital twins, dashboards and process mining initiate this possibility: they transform the budgeting process from a static set of figures to a dynamic, simulation-capable management tool. Instead of getting lost in detailed work, companies can use them to analyze processes in real time, simulate scenarios and make well-informed decisions.
Industry 4.0 Science | Volume 41 | Edition 2 | Pages 52-58
Why Moving Toward a Circular Economy Is Crucial

Why Moving Toward a Circular Economy Is Crucial

The ten R-Strategies of sustainable management
As environmental challenges such as climate change and resource scarcity intensify, with Earth Overshoot Day highlighting overconsumption, the circular economy emerges as a crucial solution. Legislation at the national and EU level obliges companies to become more sustainable. Simultaneously, the circular economy strengthens economic resilience, promotes innovation and creates competitive advantages. However, the impact on the labor market is controversial, as fewer primary resources and new products are needed. Sustainable corporate management requires a balanced consideration of the triple bottom line: Planet, People, and Profit, treating each as equally important. In contrast to the linear economy, the circular economy follows the ‘cradle to cradle’ principle and integrates the ten R-Strategies of sustainability. These strategies range from refuse (avoidance) and reduce (reduction) to recycling and repurpose (reuse). Companies should identify which strategies can be swiftly ...
Industry 4.0 Science | Volume 41 | 2025 | Edition 2 | Pages 68-76
Work-Integrated Learning in Industry 4.0

Work-Integrated Learning in Industry 4.0

A qualitative analysis of various assistance systems in assembly
Kathleen Warnhoff ORCID Icon
In the era of Industry 4.0, many industrial companies are facing major transformations. In the process of digitalization, factory management is adopting new technologies such as cognitive assistance systems, which has led to changes in work processes. Regarding assembly in the metal and electrical industries, it is unclear to what extent this development has promoted work-integrated learning. Therefore, the topic of this paper is a qualitative analysis that explores employees' perceptions of the learning opportunities and risks presented by cognitive assistance systems. Results: Not all assembly employees benefit equally from these new developments.
Industry 4.0 Science | Volume 41 | Edition 2 | Pages 20-29 | DOI 10.30844/I4SE.25.2.20
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