Digital Twin Technology of Human-Machine Integration in Cross-Belt Sorting System

The Chinese express delivery industry processes nearly 110 billion items in 2022,averaging an annual growth rate of 200%.Among the various types of sorting systems used for handling express items,cross-belt sorting systems stand out as the most crucial.However,despite their high degree of automation,the workload for operators has intensified owing to the surging volume of express items.In the era of Industry 5.0,it is imperative to adopt new technologies that not only enhance worker welfare but also improve the efficiency of cross-belt systems.Striking a balance between efficiency in handling express items and operator well-being is challenging.Digital twin technology offers a promising solution in this respect.A realization method of a human-machine integrated digital twin is proposed in this study,enabling the interaction of biological human bodies,virtual human bodies,virtual equipment,and logistics equipment in a closed loop,thus setting an operating framework.Key technologies in the proposed framework include a collection of heterogeneous data from multiple sources,construction of the relationship between operator fatigue and operation efficiency based on physiological measurements,virtual model construction,and an online optimization module based on real-time simulation.The feasibility of the proposed method was verified in an express distribution center.

Effects of Furniture Ergonomics on Student’s Satisfaction in a Library Facility

Building occupants are not immune to ill-health as a result of time they spend in a building.This paper seeks to examine the effects furniture ergonomics have on student’s satisfaction in the library of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.A pilot survey was initially conducted in the library through a one-to-one interaction with students to fetch their opinions on the general effects of the furniture.An observation through several walkthroughs was also conducted by the researchers to compare and validate responses obtained.Two hundred and sixty-five students that come from fifteen nationalities are surveyed.A structured questionnaire is used to collect data on the respondents’opinions on the size,shape,arrangement and comfort of the furniture.Eta cross tabulation,Spearman’s rho and Kendall’s Tau-b are used to establish relationships.Results show that amongst the effects studied,there are significant positive relationships between students’satisfaction of furniture ergonomics as against back-strain and lack of concentration.This implies that the more the furniture arrangements,size and shape are perceived unsatisfactory,the more their effects on back-strain and lack of concentration towards the students.This paper further recommends that library management should see to designing IEQ(Indoor Environmental Quality)guidelines that will mitigate the effects of furniture ergonomics thus improving student’s satisfaction.

Ergonomic Reliability Assessment of VDT Systemfor Operation Design Based on Improved BPNN and HCR under Special Circumstances

Ergonomic reliability plays a significant role in the safe operation of devices.With the spread of infectious diseases around the world,in work environments with high loads and high infection rates,medical staff work in a state of high self-protection.The use of visual display terminal(VDT)for medical equipment has undergone fundamental changes,and the traditional medical equipment human-machine interface design needs to be improved.After the completion of design and development,a VDT design enters the experimental testing stage,which has significant limitations for simulating the work of medical staff in the high-load and high-infection environments.The testing cost is high,and subjects face harsh conditions;thus,an ergonomic reliability model that can predict the use of VDT in such special high-infection and high-load circumstances must be established.An ergonomic reliability model based on an improved backpropagation neural network(BPNN)and human cognition reliability(HCR)is proposed for predicting and evaluating operation flows according tomedical equipment VDTs.Firstly,a small data sample can be used to train BPNN to generate a network that can ensure suitable accuracy.To prevent the model from falling into local optimal solutions,the bat algorithm is introduced to improve the BPNN.Compared to a traditional BPNN,the superiority of the improved BPNN is clearly demonstrated.Secondly,the HCR method is used to analyze and highlight changes in the human factor reliability of VDTs for medical equipment in different time processes and operating processes according to BPNN prediction results,to provide a reference for selecting the optimalmethod.Finally,the validity and availability of the proposedmethod are verified through an eye tracker experiment and statistical analysis results.

Designing interactive glazing through an engineering psychology approach:Six augmented reality scenarios that envision future car human-machine interface

Background With an increasing number of vehicles becoming autonomous,intelligent,and connected,paying attention to the future usage of car human-machine interface with these vehicles should become more relevant.Several studies have addressed car HMI but were less attentive to designing and implementing interactive glazing for every day(autonomous)driving contexts.Methods Reflecting on the literature,we describe an engineering psychology practice and the design of six novel future user scenarios,which envision the application of a specific set of augmented reality(AR)support user interactions.Additionally,we conduct evaluations on specific scenarios and experiential prototypes,which reveal that these AR scenarios aid the target user groups in experiencing a new type of interaction.The overall evaluation is positive with valuable assessment results and suggestions.Conclusions This study can interest applied psychology educators who aspire to teach how AR can be operationalized in a human-centered design process to students with minimal pre-existing expertise or minimal scientific knowledge in engineering psychology.

虚拟装配中DELMIA/Ergonomics的应用研究

介绍了虚拟装配以及DELMIA/Ergonomics模块功能。应用DELMIA/Ergonomics引入了人体模型;通过调整人体模型尺寸及其姿态并结合人机工程学对装配工具进行尺寸修改设计;结合虚拟装配技术,对装配模型进行虚拟装配,从而检验了装配模型的装配可达性,体现了人机工程学在虚拟装配中的作用。

Information Coding for Cockpit Human-machine Interface

Pilot needs to process lots of information when operating an aircraft, and reasonable information coding can greatly improve the correct rate and speed of information identification. At present, related researches are mainly performed in the laboratory, and the experiment method for abstract simulation is often used to research single digit information coding. The research results demonstrate a lack of systematization and applicability. The present study is based upon information coding methods of human-machine interface under real time in flight simulators. Subjects are required to perform an aircraft landing and the corresponding experiment task. The correct rate and reaction time are chosen as the performance evaluation indexes, combined with eye movement data. The advantages and disadvantages of different information coding methods are also evaluated and analyzed. The experiment results demonstrate that the effect of color coding on the correct rate of information identification is not significant, but the effect on the speed of information identification is obviously significant. The study demonstrates that on a black background, red, green and yellow are suitable colors for color coding, but blue is not. The position of information on the performance of information identification is also significant. The center of the interface is better than the edge, and the left position is superior to the right. The impact of language and a person＇s mother tongue should also be considered in practical applications. The study shows that the Chinese has a higher correct rate of identification than English. As the experiment research method in the present study is based on flight simulator, the actual utility and application value can be guaranteed. The research results have the ability to offer improvements in ergonomic reference for cockpit human-machine interface design.

Clinical outcomes and ergonomics analysis of three laparoscopic techniques for Hirschsprung's disease

AIM: To report the clinical outcomes and ergonomics analysis of three laparoscopic approaches in the management of Hirschsprung's disease(HD).METHODS: There were 90 pediatric patients(63 boys, 27 girls; mean age: 3.6 ± 2.7 mo; range: 1.0-90.2 mo) who underwent laparoscopic endorectal pull-through Soave procedures for short- and long-segment HD in our hospital. Three laparoscopic approaches were used: conventional laparoscopic pull-through(CLP) in 30 patients between 2009 and 2013, single-incision laparoscopic pull-through(SILP) in 28 patients between 2010 and 2013, and hybrid single-incision laparoscopic pull-through(H-SILP) in 32 patients between 2011 and 2013. We applied the hybrid version of the single-incision approach in 2011 to preserve the cosmetic advantage of SILP and the ergonomic advantage of CLP. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data, cosmetic results, and ergonomics of these three approaches to have a better understanding of the selection of one approach over another. RESULTS: The CLP, SILP, and H-SILP groups were similar in regard to age, sex, transition zone, blood loss, hospital stay, and intraoperative complications. Early and late postoperative results were not different, with equal daily defecation frequency and postoperative complications. No conversion to open technique was needed and none of the patients had recurrent constipation. With proper training, the ergonomics challenges were overcome and similar operative times were registered for the general operative time in the patients < 1 year of age and the short-segment HD patients. However, significantly shorter operative times were registered compared to SILP for patients > 1 year of age(CLP and H-SILP: 120 ± 15 min and 119 ± 12 min, respectively, vs 140 ± 7 min; P < 0.05) and for long-segment HD patients(152 ± 3.5 min and 154 ± 3.6 min, respectively, vs 176 ± 2.3 min; P < 0.05). The best cosmetic result was registered with the SILP(scarless), followed by the H-SILP(near scarless appearance) and the CLP(visible scars) procedures. CONCLUSION: Based on the results, we believed that the laparoscopic approach should be selected according to the age, transition zone, and desired cosmetic result.

The Application of Surface Electromyography in the Assessment of Ergonomic Risk Factors Associated with Manual Lifting Tasks

Summary: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ergonomic risk factors associated with manual lifting tasks using surface electromyography (EMG). 13 volunteers lifted loads of 6 and 13 kg at two speeds and at two horizontal distances in 3 different postures and three boxes of different sizes, from floor to knuckle height, performing 72 lifting tasks. For each lift, the surface electromyography signals from the erector spinae muscles, bilaterally at T_~10 and L_3, was recorded. The ergonomic risk factors associated with manual lifting tasks were evaluated by comparing the average amplitude of EMG signals from the erector spinae muscles. The EMG average amplitude for lifting the load of 13 kg was 14.3 % greater than that for lifting the load of 6 kg (t=-10.93, P<0.01). The EMG average amplitude at the site of L_3 was 10.3 % greater than that at the site of T_~10 (t=-7.98, P<0.01). The EMG average amplitude when performing “fast” lift was 5.9 %greater than the “slow” lift (t=-4.63, P<0.01). The posture of lifting affected the EMG average amplitude. It was lowest with semi-squat posture and greatest with squat posture (F=27.76, P<0.01). The result of multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that the loads of lifting, the size of box, horizontal distance, posture of lifting, the site of the spine subjected to force, lifting speed were the factors affecting the EMG average amplitude. The most significant factor was the loads of lifting, followed by the site of the spine subjected to force and the lifting speed in terms of risk. The ergonomic risk factors associated with manual lifting tasks includes the loads, posture, lifting speed, horizontal distance, the site of the spine subjected to force etc. The results of signal amplitude of EMG from the erector spinae muscles showed that semi-squat posture is the best posture for lifting tasks.

Deep Learning for EMG-based Human-Machine Interaction:A Review

Electromyography(EMG)has already been broadly used in human-machine interaction(HMI)applications.Determining how to decode the information inside EMG signals robustly and accurately is a key problem for which we urgently need a solution.Recently,many EMG pattern recognition tasks have been addressed using deep learning methods.In this paper,we analyze recent papers and present a literature review describing the role that deep learning plays in EMG-based HMI.An overview of typical network structures and processing schemes will be provided.Recent progress in typical tasks such as movement classification,joint angle prediction,and force/torque estimation will be introduced.New issues,including multimodal sensing,inter-subject/inter-session,and robustness toward disturbances will be discussed.We attempt to provide a comprehensive analysis of current research by discussing the advantages,challenges,and opportunities brought by deep learning.We hope that deep learning can aid in eliminating factors that hinder the development of EMG-based HMI systems.Furthermore,possible future directions will be presented to pave the way for future research.

Fully Fabric-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerators as Self-Powered Human-Machine Interactive Keyboards

Combination flexible and stretchable textiles with self-powered sensors bring a novel insight into wearable functional electronics and cyber security in the era of Internet of Things.This work presents a highly flexible and self-powered fully fabric-based triboelectric nanogenerator(F-TENG)with sandwiched structure for biomechanical energy harvesting and real-time biometric authentication.The prepared F-TENG can power a digital watch by low-frequency motion and respond to the pressure change by the fall of leaves.A self-powered wearable keyboard(SPWK)is also fabricated by integrating large-area F-TENG sensor arrays,which not only can trace and record electrophysiological signals,but also can identify individuals’typing characteristics by means of the Haar wavelet.Based on these merits,the SPWK has promising applications in the realm of wearable electronics,self-powered sensors,cyber security,and artificial intelligences.

Human-machine compatibility and dynamic analysis of a novel unpowered and self-adaptive shoulder rehabilitation exoskeleton

To reduce the complexity of the configuration and control strategy for shoulder rehabilitation exoskeleton,a 2R1R1P2R serial of shoulder exoskeleton based on gravity balance is proposed.Based on three basic rotatory shoulder joints,an exact kinematic constraint system can be formed between the exoskeleton and the upper arm by introducing a passive sliding pair and a center of glenohumeral(CGH)unpowered compensation mechanism,which realizes the human-machine kinematic compatibility.Gravity balance is used in the CGH compensation mechanism to provide shoulder joint support.Meanwhile,the motion of the compensation mechanism is pulled by doing reverse leading through the arm to realize the kinematic self-adaptive,which decreases control complexity.Besides,a simple and intuitive spring adjustment strategy is proposed to ensure the gravity balance of any prescribed quality.Furthermore,according to the influencing factors analysis of the scapulohumeral rhythm,the kinematic analysis of CGH mechanism is performed,which shows that the mechanism can fit the trajectory of CGH under various conditions.Finally,the dynamic simulation of the mechanism is carried out.Results indicate that the compensation torques are reduced to below 0.22 N·m,and the feasibility of the mechanism is also verified.

Human Factors/Ergonomics (HFE) in Leadership and Management: Organizational Interventions to Reduce Stress in Healthcare Delivery

Clinician Burnout is a personal and public health issue. Most occupational stressors contributing to clinician burnout are systemic. The combination of organizational interventions along with individual interventions is necessary to make significant lasting difference in reducing burnout, improving clinician and patient satisfaction and reducing latent error in healthcare delivery. Application of Human Factors/Ergonomics (HFE) science in healthcare leadership and management is a gap in current training for leaders. HFE uses concepts from organizational, educational and cognitive science, systems science and industrial engineering. HFE application is especially necessary in a fast changing highly stressful healthcare environment which impacts the wellbeing of clinicians and the safety of patients under care. Practical suggestions for working with various healthcare leadership styles and organizational dynamics, while aligning wellness efforts with institutional mission are discussed. Concrete examples of decreasing extraneous mental load on clinicians to preserve their brainpower to achieve quality patient care are illustrated. Organizational interventions in combination with individual interventions to reduce and manage burnout have enormous potential to improve clinician wellbeing and satisfaction in taking care of patients, reduce costs, risk of error and create the safe working environment needed to sustainably give high quality care to patients.

A New Design of Student Apartment Bed Based on Kansei Engineering and Ergonomics

Aiming at the defects of the products available on the market at present and basing on the Kansei Engineering and Ergonomics, a new kind of student apartment bed which can prove its humanity more clearly is designed, and its design direction is gotten through the questionnaire and the design starts from the real actual needs of students. After the original design was finished, the later investigation on the students was engaged with and made the engineering analysis. The conclusion is that the sum of ＂perfect＂ and ＂good＂ membership rates is up to 64%, hence the comprehensive assessment of the design is perfect. That is to say, this design is able to realize and meet the needs of users, and there is no doubt that it will have a good business prospects.

STUDY ON ERGONOMICS AND ITS USE IN THE HARVESTING SYSTEM

This paper describes the researching aim and content of Ergonomics.Some prob-lems existing in modern harvesting system,such as machinery availability,cabin design,occupational accident,noise and vibration are discussed from the viewpoint of Ergonomics.Furthermore,some improving ways and suggestions are presented.

Learning-Memory Function and Swimming Capability of Rat and Ergonomic Evaluation Under Hypoxic Condition

Effects of hypoxia on learning-memory function and swimming capability of rat were studied and the ergonomics under hypoxic condition was also evaluated from the biological point of view.Three modes of hypoxia were designed and plots of oxygen concentration versus time for each group in hypoxic environment were produced.Results showed that the effects of hypoxia on learning-memory function and swimming capability were related with the time and strength of hypoxia.It had nothing to do with the individual difference of rat models.10% O2 long-term intermittent anamorphosis hypoxia could improve the swimming capability of rat model significantly.Stimulating with proper level of hypoxia,carbon dioxide could improve ergonomics in airtight hypoxia environment.Under hypoxia condition,from the ergonomic point of view,6% O2 is the important threshold and might belong in critical region.

Ergonomic Evaluation on Taxi Drivers' Compartment

Driving involves long hours of physical work within c onfined compartment. Taxi drivers usually work with prolonged working hours, add itional stress may likely be induced on particular body limbs. Occupational heal th may occur and working efficiency may potentially be affected resulting fr om fatigues, pains or diseases. These problems, however, could be remedied if mo re attention is paid on seating design, the workplace and driving postures adopt ed. Ergonomics design can provide better understanding of those concerned areas. A study was conducted to analyse occupational and health problems related to ta xi drivers. Through ergonomic evaluation of driver’s compartment, the authors m ake recommendations to improve health and safety aspects. Besides, the experienc e of gained from this study using ergonomic design can be extended to other occu pation or products.

Benefits of laptop computer ergonomics education to graduate students

Laptop computers are used more often than desktop computers, especially among graduate students. Many common laptop habits can have severe physiological effects on the user ranging from eye strain, poor posture, upper extremity pain, and overuse injuries. Thus, it is important to educate students on the best ergonomic position to use laptops. This study investigates the efficacy of a laptop ergonomic education session and its effects on graduate students’ knowledge and behaviors regarding proper laptop use. A convenience sample of control and experimental groups was used and consisted of 83 occupational therapy (OT), 63 physical therapy (PT), and 26 nurse anesthesia (NA) graduate students. The sample size was 172, with 94 graduate students in the control group and 78 graduate students in the experimental. All study participants completed an initial ergonomics questionnaire. The experimental group was given an ergonomics education session following the questionnaire. Approximately 4 weeks after both groups completed the initial questionnaire;a follow up questionnaire was administered. Results showed that subjects demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in ergonomics knowledge after they completed the ergonomic educational session. Some participants reported making adaptations to laptop positioning and equipment use following the educational session. Thus, participating in ergonomic education can positively influence awareness of body mechanics relative to laptop workstation design.

Household Drill Innovative Design under the Guidance of Ergonomics

The household drill is named 90 Degree, designed by Industrial Design Pilot Program Center(Hereinafter referred to as IDPPC) of Luxun Academy of Fine Arts(Hereinafter referred to as LAFA), which is the only national pilot program center in Chinese industrial design field. 90 Degree is designed for home environment, it helps inexperience users, such as women and the elderly, complete the operation easily, and it makes sure that safe operation and assistance users solve the precise punching, location, storage trash and other operations. According to research among users who can understand or manipulate a drill, the designers find problems of users from the user central perspective, and then they integrate product innovative design methods to propose solutions. When the designers intend to design 90 Degree, they attempt using the user behavior record and analysis system, and start ergonomics study in subjects by double hands operation analysis, using gesture analysis, details of work analysis, time and motion study, etc; meanwhile taking advantages of user experience analysis, behavior intention analysis to do user subjective perceptual evaluation. The functions, structure, shape, color, material, details of 90 Degree should be consistent with the standard of usability evaluation. There are two characteristics in 90 Degree, the first one is a transparent cover installed in front of the drill, which can collect the dust, rubbish when drilling and keep the work environment clean. So it is applicable for households. When the transparent cover of the drill is removed, it also can be used as a normal hand drill; the second one is the shape of 90 Degree makes it and the operating surface fitting together, thus enhancing the stability in operation, so it is best for inexperienced users. When 90 Degree contacts with the operating surface, it can emit the laser ray which helps the user to punch accurately, and make array punch more easily. After obtaining the data, charts, creating Shadow observation by the designers, they make a comprehensive evaluation on research results; verification advantages of 90 Degree meet the requirement of usability, reducing operating failure rate; and increasing safety factors. 90 Degree, in 2011, wined German Red Dot Design Award, which had become a representative excellent design example to resolve several drilling difficulties. The designers introduce ergonomics theory into design practice, and use scientific program and methods to evaluate the products which is useful to the development and promotion of products.

Ergonomic Evaluation of the Perceived Mental Workload among Tunisian University Hospital Caregivers

Objectives: To evaluate the perceived mental workload and to identify its individual and professional determinants among Tunisian caregivers in university hospitals. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in two university hospitals of the center of Tunisia, which employ 1179 paramedics providing care activities. The survey was conducted within a representative sample, of 301 caregivers assigned to 28 medical and surgical services, randomly drawn, after being paired according to age, gender and work schedule. It included structured inquiry (socio-professional characteristics, occupational perceived workload) and validated questionnaires (Job Content Questionnaire of Karasek, SF12, WAI). Results: Mental workload was perceived as “moderate” by 145 caregivers (48.49%) and as “heavy” by 119 caregivers (40.61% of them). Among the sample, 209 paramedics endured at least once the fixed night work schedules along their respective careers, with an average of 5.63 ± 7.54 years. According to the WAI index, 39.59% of subjects considered their capacity of work as low. Moreover, job strain was noted in 19.79%. Indeed, work latitude was unsatisfactory among 41% of caregiver, 60.1% of them mentioned the absence of colleagues’ support. A feeling of job insecurity was reported by 73.72% of subjects. Multi-varied analytic study concluded that heavier perceived mental work load was correlated to individual determinants particularly age >45 years (p -3), overweight or obesity (p = 0.02), more than three depending children (p -3), lower degree obtained (p -3), working grade as nurse assistant (P = 0.001), lower quality of physical life (0.010) and expressed willingness to retire early (p = 0.003). Conclusion: The heavy perception of mental workload associated to care activities, is one of the reasons of premature departure among nurses from professional activity. Preventive actions on professional determinants of perceived workload can reduce this phenomenon.

Functional design method for improving safety and ergonomics of mechanical products

In order to help companies to improve their competetiveness, it is important to develop new design methodologies. In this framework, a Functional And Robust Design (FARD) methodology dedicated to routine design of “highly productive” modular product ranges is proposed including principles of functional analysis, Design For Assembly (DFA), and techniques of modelling and simulation for ergonomics consideration. This paper focuses on the application of this original method applied to mechanical vibration and ergonomics problems of a scraper. Including biomechanical aspect in the design methodology, it is possible to identify the impact of a vibration tool on its users using numerical models of the tool coupled to a finite element model of the human hand. This method can proactively warn very early, in the design process, the risks of causing musculoskeletal disorders and facilitate an optimization of the mechanical tool. This study is a first step in a context of human-centered design.