How Many Robots Is Too Many? Findings About Single-Human Multiple-Robot Systems

Mobile robots are increasingly being used to perform tasks that are difficult for humans to reach. Due to their high degree of autonomy, a human can control multiple robots through a graphical user interface, which is called one-human multiple-robot (SHMR) system. However, information about them is scarce. The current literature review synthesizes the features of SHMR systems related to safety and health at work for the operator and system performance. A total of 658 records were identified through an exploratory search since 2000, and 35 were selected to meet the inclusion criteria. The characteristics were consolidated and provide valuable insights about field of application, team composition, and reported outcomes. Future research can focus on exploring these systems in industries that have not yet been studied, or it can examine the impact of individual operator characteristics on these systems.