Preliminary Analysis of Low-Cost Motion Capture Techniques to Support Virtual Ergonomics

Abstract

This paper concerns the development of a computer-aided platform to analyse workers' postures and movements and ergonomically validate the design of device a man or woman may deal with. In particular, we refer to pick and place operations of food items on the display unit shelves. The paper describes three low-cost solutions that integrate two optical motion capture techniques (one based on web-cam and another on MS Kinect sensor) and two human modelling systems (Jack and LifeMod) with the main goal of determining the suitability of operators' working conditions and, eventually, providing a feedback to the design step. The solutions have been tested considering a vertical display unit as case study. Preliminary results of the experimentation as well as main benefits and limits are presented. The results have been considered promising; however, we have planned to perform an acquisition campaign in the real environment, the supermarket.

The incorporation of virtual ergonomics to improve the occupational safety condition in a factory

“…Backstrand et al [11] have conducted a study to show that the virtual ergonomic is a powerful tool to support the design of an ergonomic workplace since it has the potential to assess the early stage of the ergonomic conditions in the virtual environment. Colombo et al [12] used the biomechanical simulation package to validate the result from the computer-designed device in the refrigerator assembly.…”