Impact of Emerging Technologies on Ergonomics: Will You be Prepared to Adapt and Thrive in the Changing Landscape?

Today, emerging technologies are enabling us to work faster, smarter and with more fidelity. Outlined below are a couple of technologies that are changing the way ergonomics is being practiced.

Wearable Sensors for Ergonomics Assessment

Sensors can be attached to an employee while they are performing a work task. There are different versions of sensor-based technology in the market, and many of them have been around for several years (e.g., electromyography). Some sensors are designed to help determine force application, while others gather electrical muscle activity and awkward posture measurements for certain body segments, and sometimes they are used as coaching tools. This technology has a place, though most successful applications are limited to the research environment.

Artificial Intelligence Using Computer Vision (Marker-Less Motion Catpure, MoCap)

This technology allows a user to assess an operation or a task using video, and no sensors or devices need to be placed on an employee’s body. It is not new, but its application in ergonomics is. This is game-changing. It improves the quality of the risk assessment, standardizes the process and engages individuals from other departments to participate in the ergonomics process.

Traditionally, ergonomics assessments are conducted through manual observation. There are challenges with this subjective method, including inaccuracies and inconsistencies among assessors (we all see things differently), and it’s a time-consuming process. MoCap technology uses artificial intelligence, and through deep learning, it sees what the human eye can’t, in fractions of a second.

MoCap is at an early adopter stage, but with a huge potential to be used by the masses quickly. The broader impact this technology could have on the field of ergonomics is unimaginable and people will start to find different ways to apply it in their organizations.

The realm of technology and innovation is consistently dynamic, often accompanied by a significant amount of attention. It is imperative to approach implementation endeavors strategically and to ascertain the track record of entities proficient in leveraging technology within this domain.