Assistance system for individualization of work design [Assistenzsystem zur Individualisierung der Arbeitsgestaltung Einsatz von Smart Devices zur kontextsensitiven Arbeitsunterstützung]

To cope with increasing product and process diversification human labor is important for manufacturing companies. Furthermore, companies have to deal with the current demographic change including high inter-individual and intra-individual diversification of employee’s skills. In this context innovative assistance systems which individually support employees at work need to be discussed and developed

Exchanging data between Digital Human Modelling systems : a review of data formats

Digital human modeling (DHM) systems underwent significant development within the last years. They achieved constantly growing importance in the field of ergonomic workplace design, product development, product usability, ergonomic research, ergonomic education, audiovisual marketing and the entertainment industry. They help to design ergonomic products as well as healthy and safe socio-technical work systems. In the domain of scientific DHM systems, no industry specific standard interfaces are defined which could facilitate the exchange of 3D solid body data, anthropometric data or motion data. The focus of this article is to provide an overview of requirements for a reliable data exchange between different DHM systems in order to identify suitable file formats. Examples from the literature are discussed in detail. Methods: As a first step a literature review is conducted on existing studies and file formats for exchanging data between different DHM systems. The found file formats can be structured into different categories: static 3D solid body data exchange, anthropometric data exchange, motion data exchange and comprehensive data exchange. Each file format is discussed and advantages as well as disadvantages for the DHM context are pointed out. Case studies are furthermore presented, which show first approaches to exchange data between DHM systems. Lessons learnt are shortly summarized. Results: A selection of suitable file formats for data exchange between DHM systems is determined from the literature review

Smart Collaborative Systems for Enabling Flexible and Ergonomic Work Practices [Industry Activities]

The manufacturing industry is among the top wealthgenerating sectors of the global economy and accounted for 15.3% and 10%, respectively, of the total European and American workforce in 2018 [1], [2]. Despite its crucial role, manufacturing is facing a critical challenge based on a reduction of skilled labor availability. This trend is impos- ing a bottleneck on growth due to the demands of an increasingly competitive market. The aging workforce is not helping this shortfall either, as the available workforce is less able to perform burdensome industrial tasks in an efficient and productive manner

Human-Robot Collaboration (HRC) Technologies for Reducing Work-Related Musculoskeletal Diseases in Industry 4.0

The paper describes the activities of the European project SOPHIA, Socio-Physical Interaction Skills for Cooperative Human-Robot Systems in Agile Production. The consortium involves European partners from academia, research organizations and industry. The main goal of the project is to develop a new generation of CoBots and Wearbots and advanced instrumental-based biomechanical risk assessment tools in industrial scenarios to reduce work-related musculoskeletal disorders and to improve productivity in industry 4.0. Further aim of the project is to create the basis for new ergonomic international Standards for manual handling activities