Enabling Technologies and Approaches for Inclusive Manufacturing

Neurodiversity encompasses the range of neurobiological variations in the population, promoting acceptance of conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Despite this, neurodiversity has had limited integration in the manufacturing industry due to its emphasis on efficiency. This has resulted in barriers for neurodiverse individuals seeking employment and reaching their full potential in manufacturing settings. To address this issue, this thesis surveys the implications of neurodiversity in manufacturing workplaces. It examines the challenges of inclusion, highlighting the essential skills needed for success in this field and identifying areas of difficulty and strength for neurodiverse individuals. In this context, this thesis explores strategies for creating inclusive manufacturing environments, such as neurodiverse-friendly workspace design, personalized support, and role identification. Additionally, the use of collaborative robots (Cobots) is also examined along with their impact on manufacturing processes and different human-robot relationships suitable for neurodiverse individuals. Design considerations and safety features for Cobots are discussed, demonstrating their potential to enhance the involvement of neurodiverse individuals in industrial contexts. A literature case study is reported to provide evidence that neurodiverse individuals have a positive response to working with an industrial robot arm, which illustrates the support that Cobots can provide to neurodiverse individuals. The thesis concludes by identifying research gaps and suggesting future directions, such as expanding research focus, addressing sensory sensitivities, and combating stigma in workplace culture. Emphasizing on collaborative robots, this thesis provides insights and strategies for enabling inclusive manufacturing and maximizing the potential of neurodiverse individuals.