Human–robot collaboration (HRC) has become an essential component of modern industrial systems, enabling organizations to combine human expertise with advanced robotic technologies to improve productivity and operational efficiency. Despite these advantages, the adoption of collaborative robots remains inconsistent across industries, largely due to challenges related to trust. This study investigates the determinants of trust and how trust influences the adoption of HRC in industrial environments. A qualitative research approach was adopted, using secondary data from peer-reviewed journal articles, conference publications, and industrial case studies. The data were analysed using thematic analysis to identify patterns related to trust formation, trust dynamics, and adoption behaviour. The findings indicate that trust is shaped by a combination of technical, human, and organizational factors, with reliability and predictability emerging as the most influential determinants. Transparency and communication were also found to be essential in maintaining and restoring trust. The study further shows that trust evolves over time and must be carefully managed to avoid both over-trust and under-trust. An enhanced framework is proposed, integrating dynamic trust monitoring, trust-aware decision making, and human-centred design to support sustainable adoption. The findings provide practical insights for improving the implementation and acceptance of HRC in industrial environments.

Keywords

Human-robot collaboration, Trust, Adoption, Human-centered, Manufacturing.