Workstation Features Research Articles

Pick the Right Co-Worker: Online Assessment of Cognitive Ergonomics in Human–Robot Collaborative Assembly

Human-robot collaborative assembly systems enhance the efficiency and productivity of the workplace but may increase the workers’ cognitive demand. This paper proposes an online and quantitative framework to assess the cognitive workload induced by the interaction with a co-worker, either a human operator or an industrial collaborative robot with different control strategies. The approach monitors the operator’s attention distribution and upper-body kinematics benefiting from the input images of a low-cost stereo camera and cutting-edge artificial intelligence algorithms (i.e. head pose estimation and skeleton tracking). Three experimental scenarios with variations in workstation features and interaction modalities were designed to test the performance of our online method against state-of-the-art offline measurements. Results proved that our vision-based cognitive load assessment has the potential to be integrated into the new generation of collaborative robotic technologies. The latter would enable human cognitive state monitoring and robot control strategy adaptation for improving human comfort, ergonomics, and trust in automation.

Development and evaluation of design guidelines for cognitive ergonomics in human-robot collaborative assembly systems

Industry 4.0 is the concept used to summarize the ongoing fourth industrial revolution, which is profoundly changing the manufacturing systems and business models all over the world. Collaborative robotics is one of the most promising technologies of Industry 4.0. Human-robot interaction and human-robot collaboration will be crucial for enhancing the operator's work conditions and production performance. In this regard, this enabling technology opens new possibilities but also new challenges. There is no doubt that safety is of primary importance when humans and robots interact in industrial settings. Nevertheless, human factors and cognitive ergonomics (i.e. cognitive workload, usability, trust, acceptance, stress, frustration, perceived enjoyment) are crucial, even if they are often underestimated or ignored. Therefore, this work refers to cognitive ergonomics in the design of human-robot collaborative assembly systems. A set of design guidelines has been developed according to the analysis of the scientific literature. Their effectiveness has been evaluated through multiple experiments based on a laboratory case study where different participants interacted with a low-payload collaborative robotic system for the joint assembly of a manufacturing product. The main assumption to be tested is that it is possible to improve the operator's experience and efficiency by manipulating the system features and interaction patterns according to the proposed design guidelines. Results confirmed that participants improved their cognitive response to human-robot interaction as well as the assembly performance with the enhancement of workstation features and interaction conditions by implementing an increasing number of guidelines.

Biomechanical Fidelity of Simulated Pick-and-Place Tasks: Impact of Visual and Haptic Renderings.

Virtual environments (VE) and haptic interfaces (HI) tend to be introduced as virtual prototyping tools to assess ergonomic features of workstations. These approaches are cost-effective and convenient since working directly on the Digital Mock-Up in a VE is preferable to constructing a physical mock-up in a Real Environment (RE). However it can be usable only if the ergonomic conclusions made from the VE are similar to the ones you would make in the real world. This article aims at evaluating the impact of visual and haptic renderings in terms of biomechanical fidelity for pick-and-place tasks. Fourteen subjects performed time-constrained pick-and-place tasks in RE and VE with a real and a virtual, haptic driven object at three different speeds. Motion of the hand and muscles activation of the upper limb were recorded. A questionnaire assessed subjectively discomfort and immersion. The results revealed significant differences between measured indicators in RE and VE and with real and virtual object. Objective and subjective measures indicated higher muscle activity and higher length of the hand trajectories in VE and with HI. Another important element is that no cross effect between haptic and visual rendering was reported. Theses results confirmed that such systems should be used with caution for ergonomics evaluation, especially when investigating postural and muscle quantities as discomfort indicators. The last contribution of the paper lies in an experimental setup easily replicable to asses more systematically the biomechanical fidelity of virtual environments for ergonomics purposes.

The Proactive Approach—Is It Worthwhile? A Prospective Controlled Ergonomic Intervention Study in Office Workers

Does proactive ergonomics program enhance office worker health and productivity? The investigation was conducted in connection with the move of 1500 office staff to a building with improved ergonomics. It was focused on associations between workstation features, working postures, musculoskeletal pain symptoms, and eye strain before and 18 months after implementation of a proactive ergonomic program. The outcomes were compared between the intervention and a similar reference group. Associations between improvement of postures and less musculoskeletal pain and eye strain were confirmed. A cross association between several features and postures and improved symptoms was noted, along with improved productivity. The study suggests that a proactive program adhering to the OSHA recommendations needs to include an individual workstation assessment to be effective in reducing symptoms and increasing productivity.

Beyond dictionaries

Purpose – This paper characterizes translation as a task and aims to identify how it influences professional translators' information needs and use of resources to meet those needs. Design/methodology/approach – This research is exploratory and qualitative. Data are based on focus group sessions with 19 professional translators. Where appropriate, findings are related to several theories relating task characteristics and information behavior (IB). Findings – The findings support some of Bystrom's findings about relationship between task and information use but also suggest new hypotheses or relationships among task, information need, and information use, including the notion of a zone of familiarity. Translators use a wide range of resources, both formal and informal, localized sources, including personal contacts with other translators, native speakers, and domain experts, to supplement their basic resources, which are different types of dictionaries. The study addresses translator problems created by the need to translate materials in less commonly taught languages. Research limitations/implications – Focus group sessions allow only for identifying concepts, relationships, and hypotheses, not for indicating the relative importance of variables or distribution across individuals. Translation does not cover literary translation. Practical implications – The paper suggests content and features of workstations offering access to wide range of resources for professional translators. Originality/value – Unlike other information behavior studies of professional translators, this article focuses on a broad range of resources, not just on dictionary use. It also identifies information problems associated not only with normal task activities, but also with translators' moving out of their zone of familiarity, i.e. their range of domain, language, and style expertise. The model of translator IB is potentially generalizable to other groups and both supports and expands other task‐related research.

Can We Trust the Answers? Reliability and Validity of Ergonomic Self-Assessment Surveys

Can We Trust the Answers? Reliability and Validity of Ergonomic Self-Assessment Surveys

The impact of computer display height and desk design on muscle activity during information technology work by young adults

Computer display height and desk design are believed to be important workstation features and are included in international standards and guidelines. However, the evidence base for these guidelines is lacking a comparison of neck/shoulder muscle activity during computer and paper tasks and whether forearm support can be provided by desk design. This study measured the spinal and upper limb muscle activity in 36 young adults whilst they worked in different computer display, book and desk conditions. Display height affected spinal muscle activity with paper tasks resulting in greater mean spinal and upper limb muscle activity. A curved desk resulted in increased proximal muscle activity. There was no substantial interaction between display and desk.

The impact of computer display height and desk design on 3D posture during information technology work by young adults

Computer display height and desk design to allow forearm support are two critical design features of workstations for information technology tasks. However there is currently no 3D description of head and neck posture with different computer display heights and no direct comparison to paper based information technology tasks. There is also inconsistent evidence on the effect of forearm support on posture and no evidence on whether these features interact. This study compared the 3D head, neck and upper limb postures of 18 male and 18 female young adults whilst working with different display and desk design conditions. There was no substantial interaction between display height and desk design. Lower display heights increased head and neck flexion with more spinal asymmetry when working with paper. The curved desk, designed to provide forearm support, increased scapula elevation/protraction and shoulder flexion/abduction.

Validation and Field Testing of an Ergonomic Computer Use Checklist and Guidebook

The authors developed a validated office ergonomics checklist that focused on outcomes instead of workstation features. The workstation is evaluated primarily through observed working postures and movement patterns while the subject performs their usual tasks. A guidebook for the improvement of computer workstations is keyed to the checklist, to lead the user in reducing risk factors and improving workstation ergonomics. The checklist was first validated in a field test with three expert evaluators. The checklist and guidebook were later tested with a large employer and used as a self-evaluation instrument, by a co-worker, and by an Ergonomics Coordinator with training and experience. Workstations were evaluated by an independent ergonomist before and after interventions were made. Results indicated that the checklist and guidebook were effective in making significant improvements in workstation conditions when administered by an Ergonomics Coordinator, but not when used as a self-assessment or by an untrained co-worker.

Differences between workstations and keypad group support systems: Implications for keypad GSS facilitators

Organizations are successfully using group support systems (GSS) to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and satisfaction in organizational meetings. Meeting success relies on making an appropriate match between group, taks, and technology. This responsibility often falls to the meeting facilitator. This article draws upon GSS and facilitation literature to develop a framework for the discussion of effective facilitation in workstation and keypad meeting environments. The article identifies differences between the systems and how they impact upon the behavior of the meeting facilitators and their choice of technology. Compensatory actions are proposed for keypad facilitators to address the lack of key workstation features. Keypad strengths are also identified to show the opportunities available to facilitators to maximize the benefits of using these GSS. Further, it is proposed that different types of GSS are not mutually exclusive and should be seen as complementary components of a suite of GSS tools designed to support organizational goals.

Job Type, Workstation Design and Effective Work

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between job type, workstation design features, and the self-reported individual performance, team participation and group effectiveness of office workers. A total of 62 workers in four job types located in four field sales offices of a US computer manufacturer provided data. Regression analyses tested three indexes of workstation design as independent variables, including: environmental control through adjustability of workstation features, layout of workstation interior to match job requirements, and quality of workstation storage. For professional sales staff, workstation layout predicted 22 percent of the variance in individual performance. Environmental control and quality of storage predicted 45 percent of the variance in group effectiveness. For computer technical professionals, the three dependent variables predicted 7 percent of the variance in individual performance and 9 percent for group effectiveness. Workstation layout predicted 18 percent of the variance in level of group participation. The findings suggest that it may be possible to develop workstation design criteria that leverage specific design features to enhance performance for particular job types.

Environmental Design and Worker Control for Preventing Wmsds

Environmental control is defined as the degree to which the organization, group or individual can exert control over the physical environment as part of the process of accomplishing mission or job-related goals. This paper proposes a model which suggests that control over the physical environment may also be a means of reducing stress and work related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in office workers. Control is thought to be related to both performance and WMSD issues. The model uses systemic framework, placing the individual within the larger context of the workstation, workspace, and the overall facility. The potential for control exists from the macro (facility level) to the micro (individual workstation) environmental scale. Control can be exercised through several mechanisms, including: flexibility of initial building design (reuseability, ability to expand or downsize), overall layout of the work group environment (group ability to self-manage and reconfigure space) and flexibility of workstation features (such as task lighting, storage, shelving, work surface height, enclosure, VDT, HVAC).

Sonar project laboratory for undergraduates

A portable microcomputer workstation for supporting basic acoustic experiments has been developed over the past three years in the Physics Department at the U.S.N.A. Students enrolled in underwater acoustics and sonar (a 3‐h lecture course without a laboratory) perform fundamental acoustics experiments in the classroom without having to utilize large numbers of analog electrical boxes. The heart of the workstation (based on the 6502 microprocessor) includes a low‐cost, dual‐channel, 8‐bit analog‐to‐digital board. This workstation features menued software that can capture a waveform and display its trace. Simple mathematical operations include squaring the waveform, integrating, differentiating, finding the rms value, and determining the probability density function. A 1024‐point FFT program is also included in the menu. Students are not required to know computer languages to operate the workstation and no experiment is automated or simulated. During nonclass hours, students design an experimental project ...

Use of Model-Based Qualitative Icons and Adaptive Windows in Workstations for Supervisory Control Systems

Model-based qualitative icons and adaptive window display interfaces may be valuable tools to enhance the effectiveness of operators in real-time data-intensive supervisory control systems. Qualitative icons may be used to integrate low-level quantitative data into high-level qualitative error detection mechanisms. Using windowing technology, multiple data sources that reflect different aspects of system state can be displayed simultaneously on a single screen. Both technologies were combined and implemented to design an operator interface to the Georgia Tech-Multisatellite Operation Control Center (GT-MSOCC). An operator function model for GT-MSOCC was used to derive workstation features, including hardware configuration, the function of qualitative icons for monitoring, fault detection and identification, and the contents and placement of computer windows. The model also determined sets of windows needed by the operator to undertake major operator control functions. An experiment was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of a workstation incorporating model-based qualitative icons and dynamic operator function window sets. Subjects controlled GT-MSOCC via either a conventional operator interface or the model-based interface. Eleven measures that reflected operator performance were analyzed. Subjects using the model-based workstation operated the system significantly better on nine of these measures. On all measures, performance with the model-based workstation was uniformly better on average and had less variability than performance with the conventional workstation.