Journal of Appropriate Technology (적정기술학회지)

Academic Society for Appropriate Technology (적정기술학회)
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Evaluation of Materials Related to Gender-Preferences for the Application of Cooperative Robot Skin

협동 로봇 스킨에 적용하기 위한 재료의 성별 선호도와 관련된 자료 조사

  • Son, Minhee (Department of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Hanyang University) ;
  • Shin, Dongwon (Department of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Hanyang University) ;
  • Lee, Caroline Sunyong (Department of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Hanyang University)
  • 손민희 (한양대학교 재료화학공학과) ;
  • 신동원 (한양대학교 재료화학공학과) ;
  • 이선영 (한양대학교 재료화학공학과)
  • Received : 2021.02.26
  • Accepted : 2021.04.14
  • Published : 2021.06.20
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Abstract

This study evaluated gender preferences regarding the mechanical properties of polymers that are typically used as cooperative robot skin. Gender-based preferences of workers aged 20~30 and polydimethylsiloxane were examined according to the body parts which is most frequently in contact with the robot during operation. The factors influencing preference, i.e., stiffness and stickiness, as measured by strain rate and contact angle, respectively, were analyzed to compare gender-based differences. Female preferred stiffer materials with small strain rates while male preferred softer materials with large strain rates. As a result of evaluating mechanical properties of the materials to relate to gender-based preference, we found that female tended to prefer Dragon-skin with the lowest stickiness, and a low strain rate, during compressive creep tests. In contrast, male tended to prefer Ecoflex with high strain rate regardless of stickiness. Therefore, these results provide basis for material selection when considering cooperative robot skin.

본 연구에서는 일반적으로 협동 로봇의 스킨으로 사용될 수 있는 고분자 재료 선정 및 기계적 특성 검사를 진행하고, 각 재료에 대한 성별 선호도 설문조사를 진행하였다. 조사는 20~30세의 근무자 225명(남: 124명, 여: 101명)을 대상으로 작업 중 로봇과 가장 많이 접촉하는 어깨, 팔꿈치 별로 선정된 Dragon-skin, Ecoflex, 및 polydimethylsiloxane(PDMS)에 대한 성별에 따른 선호도 조사로 진행하였다. 설문은 각각 설문자들이 느끼는 재료에 대한 인식 단단함, 끈적임, 익숙함, 선호도 4종류로 구분하여 진행되었고, 단단함과 끈적임은 각각 재료의 변형률과 접촉각으로 측정되었다. 선호도 조사 결과, 여성은 변형률이 작은, 더 단단한 재료를 선호하는 반면, 남성은 변형률이 큰 부드러운 재료를 선호했다. 성별에 따른 선호도와 관련하여 재료의 특성을 평가한 결과, 여성은 끈적임이 낮고 변형률이 낮은 Dragon-skin을 선호하는 경향이 있는 반면, 남성은 끈적임에 관계없이 변형률이 높은 Ecoflex를 선호하는 경향이 있음을 확인하였다. 따라서 이러한 결과는 협동 로봇 스킨 제작을 고려할 때 재료 선택에 기준이 될 것으로 보인다.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This research was supported by Support Program for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology through the Center for Women In Science, Engineering and Technology (WISET) funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT (No. WISET202003GI01). The authors would like to thank KESTONECG for performing the statistical analysis.

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