Pharmaceutical Manufacturer and University Partner to Present Real-World Robot Safety Insights
Eli Lilly and Purdue University will present findings from human-robot interaction studies conducted on active manufacturing floors at RoboBusiness 2026, addressing a critical gap between academic research and practical deployment challenges. The session will feature results from field trials involving automated guided vehicles and worker perception of robots in production environments. Presenters will outline a framework for conducting repeatable academia-industry research partnerships focused on robot safety in pharmaceutical and warehouse settings.
The partnership between Eli Lilly and Purdue represents an effort to close a significant gap in robotics research. Most human-robot interaction studies occur in controlled academic settings, yet their findings frequently fail to translate meaningfully when applied to actual factory conditions. This collaboration conducts research directly within active pharmaceutical production facilities, examining how workers interact with and perceive autonomous systems like guided vehicles during routine operations.
The presenters have developed a structured methodology intended to make future academia-industry collaborations on robot safety more feasible and reproducible. Yousuf brings experience integrating multiple robotic systems in pharmaceutical environments and contributes to establishing safety standards, while Ostrowski specializes in participatory design approaches that prioritize human factors alongside technological implementation.
This work may influence how manufacturers approach robot safety protocols and worker training programs, potentially reducing deployment risks across pharmaceutical and warehouse sectors. By establishing repeatable research frameworks, the partnership could encourage other companies and universities to conduct field-based safety studies rather than relying solely on lab data. Such research may also shape emerging safety standards, ultimately affecting worker protection measures and the pace at which facilities adopt autonomous systems.