Process of Skill Acquisition for Machine Operation using the Support System by Gradual Reduction of Assist

The aim of this research is to investigate a new approach to the development of the system which supports inexperienced operators who are trying to acquire the machine operation skills. In this approach, we consider the support system which has the following functions ; The system has capability to lighten the burdens imposed on inexperienced operators by using a controllable assist. Furthermore, the system has capability to reduce the effect of the assist according to the operator's skill. In this paper, two different tasks for the operation of a rotary arm with a pendulum are treated and a support system for the acquisition of the operation skill is constructed. We try to show the skill level transition of a trainee and investigate the process of skill acquisition and the success rate of each task. Then we discuss the validity of our support system and demonstrate that trainees can acquire operation skills by using our support system.