Human–Robot Teaming: A Comprehensive Survey on Collaboration, Communication, and Cognition

The integration of human–robot teams is increasingly essential in dynamic task environments, particularly in sectors like warehouse management, assembly lines, search and rescue operations, material handling, and autonomous driving. This trend leverages the complementary strengths of humans and robots to enhance efficiency and tackle complex objectives. However, significant challenges arise due to differences in task execution, communication modes, empathy, mental model understanding, and adaptability between humans and robots. This survey article examines the complexities of human–robot collaboration (HRC), focusing on the “3Cs” of teamwork: collaboration, communication, and cognition. It introduces a novel 3Cs rating system to evaluate HRC systems, offering a comprehensive analysis of current research trends and identifying key challenges. The findings highlight a prevalent lack of robot adaptation based on human states and performance, underscoring the need for improved communication metrics and consistent definitions of collaborative frameworks. Key contributions include the development of the 3Cs rating system, an in-depth analysis of HRC research trends, and the identification of critical areas requiring further investigation to realize the full potential of human–robot teams. This article aims to guide future research and development, promoting more effective human–robot collaborations.