I2SAFE Lab

Safe Human-Robot Interaction

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Project Overview

Rationale

As autonomous technologies become increasingly integrated into construction, workers will need to interact and collaborate with robots in complex and hazardous environments. However, effective human-robot interaction requires more than task efficiency—it must also support worker safety, situational awareness, trust, and well-being. This research investigates how communication, collaboration, and adaptive robot behaviors influence human performance and stress during high-risk construction activities. The findings contribute to the development of human-centered robotic systems that enable safer, more intuitive, and more sustainable human-robot teaming in future construction workplaces.

Impact

  • Improve worker safety by designing robot behaviors and communication strategies that reduce cognitive overload and hazardous distractions.
  • Enable human-centered robotic systems that adapt to workers’ safety conditions, workload, and environmental risks in real time.
  • Enhance trust and acceptance of autonomous technologies through intuitive, transparent, and bidirectional communication.
  • Reduce worker stress and improve well-being during collaboration with drones, robots, and other autonomous systems.
  • Establish design guidelines for safe and effective human-robot teaming in future construction environments.

Publication List

Conference Proceedings

  1. Chang, W. C., Pooladvand, S, & Hasanzadeh, S. (2025). “The Impact of Physically Demanding Human-Drone Communication on Worker Mental Stress”. The CIB World Building Congress. West Lafayette, Indiana. [Best Conference Paper Award]
  2. Chang, W. C., Pooladvand, S., Esmaeili, B., & Hasanzadeh, S. (2024). “Worker-Drone Communication and Stress in Construction Workplaces under Varying Safety Conditions”. International Conference on Computing in Civil Engineering. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Researcher

Woei-Chyi Chang

Shiva Pooladvand

Collaborators

  • Vincent Duffy, PhD, Edwardson School of Industrial Engineering, Purdue University
  • Lap Fai (Craig) Yu, PhD, Department of Computer Science, George Mason University
  • Behzad Esmaeili, PhD, Lyles School of Civil and Construction Engineering, Purdue University

Funding Source