Human factor and entropy evaluation in collaborative workplace environment

The integration of advanced technologies, that the Industry 4.0 framework introduced, in the workplace environment requires the human workforce to adapt to the workplace changes. A rising concern is the role of older workers and how smoothly can they integrate in workplace environments with automation and cobotics. To this extent, we introduce a statistical model based on entropy and human factor sustainability concept. The aim of the proposed model is to calculate the level of uncertainty inside a collaborative workplace by computing the probability of error of human workforce. The probability is calculated by utilising the parameters and variables that governs the interactions between human operators and robotics – cyber systems. This computational model was tested in a complex workplace framework by usage of advanced ICT technologies and tasks of increased complexity. Results show that the age factor plays a role in the uncertainty inside the workplace. Copyright © 2021 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.