A framework for operative and social sustainability functionalities in Human-Centric Cyber-Physical Production Systems

Abstract

In a near future where manufacturing companies are faced with the rapid technological developments of Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) and Industry 4.0, a need arises to consider how this will affect human operators remaining as a vital and important resource in modern production systems. What will the implications of these orchestrated and ubiquitous technologies in production -a concept we call Cyber-Physical Production Systems (CPPS) -be on the health, learning and operative performance of human workers? This paper makes three main contributions to address the question. First, it synthesizes the diverse literature regarding CPS and social sustainability in production systems. Second, it conceptualizes a holistic framework, the CyFL Matrix, and outlines a guideline to analyze how the functionalities of a CPPS relate to operational and social sustainability-related performance impacts at different levels of analysis. Finally, it presents an industrial use case, which the CyFL Matrix and the related guidelines are applied to. In doing so, the study offers first support to researchers and manager of manufacturing companies willing to define suitable operational and social sustainability-related performances for Humancentric Cyber-Physical Production Systems of the future.

A Strategic Organisational Perspective of Industry 4.0: A Conceptual Model

“…Specific factors include horizontal, vertical and digital integration and areas of standardisation enabling organisations to connect to one another easily [24]. Organisations will have to manage multiple complexities, namely complex systems, as it is required to develop and apply new models and methods [25]; comprehensive infrastructure consisting of a high-quality information network and internet connectivity; security and privacy, enforcing data protection [12]; work organisation and design, as the roles of the employees change [26]; new and relevant legal frameworks [1] and the effective use of resources [24]. Organisational performance in this new era requires managing teams of highly specialised technical experts, as well as employees trained to operate in the new technological revolution, with specific profiles that are currently non-existent [27,28].…”

“…Furthermore, productivity changes require a different skill mix, demanding essential problemsolving, critical thinking and design thinking abilities. [42] Technology-centric convergence [5,12,15,25,26, 42] Virtual model and physical environment linkage [1,7,22,25,41,50] (continued) From a technology perspective, digital eco-systems are enabled where strategy, channels, people and technology are connected within an organisation or across multiple organisations in the eco-system, emphasising security implementation concerns. As the digital technologies inform change, transformation may be based on technologycentric convergence, especially in instances where there is a blurring between virtual and physical worlds (digital twins) or where the digital world is translated to the physical one (3D printing).…”

Anthropocentric Approach for Smart Assembly: Integration and Collaboration

“…From the perspective of anthropocentric approach, CPS may impact or improve the health, learning, and operative performance of human workers [15]. Integrating human in CPS framework will make manual operations more secure and efficient which will also enhance process control and improve quality especially in product assembly domain [16].…”

“…Integrating human in CPS framework will make manual operations more secure and efficient which will also enhance process control and improve quality especially in product assembly domain [16]. A framework called "CyFL-Matrix" which can help both industrial stakeholders and researchers to navigate the operational and social sustainability performance impacts of improvement projects towards HCPS is proposed in [15]. An adaptive human-centric reference architecture for automation system is proposed in [17], in which machines and automation systems adapt to the cognitive and physical demands of humans in a momentary and dynamic manner.…”

HCI International 2019 – Late Breaking Papers

“…Data privacy and protection concerns regard how workers' personal data are being stored, protected and re-used. These concerns may be also amplified when a dynamic worker profile is created and updated by monitoring the worker status trough wearable devices to enable the adaptation of the workplace in real-time [24]. • Environmental Constraints.…”