Novel technologies are often developed through collaborative research projects. This increases complexity in collaboration compared to company-internal development projects and can create challenges as regards applying human-centred design (HCD) principles to the development. This paper presents two research projects in which human factors (HF) had an essential role. Although HF principles served as a useful guide in the design of technology solutions, some challenges were encountered. These challenges are outlined in this paper and suggestions regarding how to manage potential risks in collaborative projects are presented. Lessons learned from these projects can be used by HF researchers in future research projects to better manage HF activities when developing technology solutions.

Human-centred design of Industry 4.0 technologies in research projects