Exploring the Impact of Axiomatic Design on Human‑Robot Collaboration
The University of Malta’s Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering recently celebrated a milestone achievement that positions the institution at the forefront of manufacturing innovation. In July 2025, Dr. Amberlynn Bonello was honored with the Best Paper Award at the International Conference on Axiomatic Design (ICAD) for a piece that bridges theory and practice in human‑robot collaborative workstations – a crucial area as Industry 5.0 reshapes factory floors.
What is Axiomatic Design?
Axiomatic Design is a systematic framework developed to translate functional requirements into system design with minimal ambiguity. The method rests on two guiding principles: (1) the Design Efficiency Principle – each functional requirement should be addressed without unintended side effects, and (2) the Information Principle – the amount of information (or complexity) in the design should be minimized. By representing the relationship between functions and design variables in a matrix form, designers can evaluate trade‑offs, detect redundancies and optimize complex systems reliably.
Integrating Multi‑Objective Optimization
The award‑winning paper takes Axiomatic Design further by embedding multi‑objective optimization algorithms. Traditional optimization often focuses on a single goal—safety, cost, or performance. In contrast, industrial workstations involve multiple conflicting goals, such as maximizing throughput, ensuring operator safety, and minimizing energy consumption. The paper leverages Pareto‑based techniques to generate design families that satisfy a range of constraints, empowering decision‑makers with actionable insights rather than a single “best” solution that may overlook essential trade‑offs.
Designing Physically Safe Human‑Robot Collaborative Workstations
Human‑robot collaboration (HRC) is no longer a niche concept; it is becoming a core competency for competitive manufacturers. The paper demonstrates how Axiomatic Design can formalize safety requirements—maximum collision forces, permissible proximity, and ergonomic postures—into the optimization model. By treating safety metrics as explicit functions, the resulting workstation layout inherently respects human limits without sacrificing robot efficiency.
One striking example from the study involves a robotic arm tasked with assembling delicate components. Conventional designs might position the arm far from the operator, reducing safety but limiting collaboration. Using the axiomatic‑optimised approach, the authors reconfigured the workspace so the robot and human share the same area, while sensors and compliance measures guarantee no contact force exceeds safe thresholds. The outcome was a 30% increase in assembly speed and a 25% reduction in component damage rates.
Industry 5.0 and the Rise of Intelligent Workstations
Industry 5.0 emphasizes resilience, sustainability, and a human‑centric approach. Unlike the automation focus of previous industrial revolutions, this wave integrates advanced robotics, digital twins, and real‑time analytics to create ecosystems where human ingenuity and robotic precision coexist. The paper situates its research within this paradigm by discussing how the axiomatic framework supports rapid prototyping, iterative validation, and seamless deployment of safety‑critical systems.
Industrial stakeholders can observe that the proposed methodology offers tangible benefits: reduced design cycle times, lower failure rates, and streamlined compliance with evolving safety standards such as ISO 10218 and CEN/ISO 10204. By adopting these principles, manufacturers can not only meet regulatory demands but also create work environments that boost worker satisfaction and productivity.
Collaboration Across Borders: The WPI Partnership
Key to the paper’s success was the collaboration between the University of Malta and Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in the United States. Dr. Bonello’s month‑long secondment at WPI facilitated knowledge exchange on robotic control, sensor integration, and validation tools. The cross‑institutional effort underscores the importance of international collaboration in advancing complex, multidisciplinary research—an approach increasingly vital in today’s globalised research landscape.
Funding and Future Directions: SME5.0 Project
The research was part of the SME5.0: A Strategic Roadmap Towards the Next Level of Intelligent, Sustainable and Human‑Centred SMEs initiative, funded by Horizon Europe’s MSCA programme. Funding mechanisms such as MSCA Staff Exchanges have proven effective in fostering high‑impact research by enabling researchers to experience diverse industrial settings and academic cultures.
Looking ahead, the authors plan to expand the methodology to multi‑robot teams, integrate machine learning for adaptive safety margins, and develop user‑friendly design tools that can be adopted by SMEs without requiring extensive computational resources.
Practical Take‑aways for Industry and Academia
While the paper is technical, there are clear, actionable steps practitioners can adopt today:
- Systematically map function requirements into a design matrix—this serves as the foundation for any axiomatic design process.
- Embed safety criteria early—by treating safety as a first‑class function, you avoid costly redesigns later.
- Use Pareto‑based multi‑objective optimization to assess trade‑offs; this provides a family of solutions rather than a single point estimate.
- Invest in cross‑disciplinary teams—combining mechanical engineering, robotics, ergonomics, and data science enriches the design process.
- Leverage international collaborations to access expertise, advanced tools, and funding streams.
Next Steps for Professionals and Students
Interested professionals can apply the insights from this award‑winning research by:
- Exploring University of Malta’s open‑access repository for related publications – https://www.um.edu.mt/research.
- Attending upcoming seminars on human‑robot collaboration organized by the Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering.
- Submitting a joint research proposal to Horizon Europe or similar European funding bodies to develop a real‑world pilot for axiomatic‑optimised workstations.
- Engaging with SMEs that could benefit from reduced design cycle times while improving worker safety.
Resources for Further Learning
For those eager to dive deeper:
- Read the full paper: Multi‑Objective Optimisation Using Axiomatic Design.
- Check out the ICAD Conference website for upcoming sessions on Axiomatic Design.
- Explore the University of Malta’s MSc in Industrial Engineering – https://www.um.edu.mt/eng/ime.
Call to Action
Ready to elevate your design process and ensure safe, productive human‑robot collaboration? Submit your application today to join the University of Malta’s research teams or to apply for a postgraduate program that will equip you with the skills to pioneer Industry 5.0 solutions.
For industry partners seeking to pilot advanced workstations, schedule a free consultation with our research office to discuss custom deployment.
Have questions about axiomatic design or the best paper award? Write to us and we’ll provide more details.
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