The research groups “Cooperative Motion and System Control” (KBS) and “Ergonomics in Advanced Systems Engineering” (EASE) focus on the following research areas, among others.
Cooperative system control and crewed-uncrewed teaming
The control of mobile systems (e.g., vehicles, aircraft, rail vehicles, underwater vehicles, unmanned ground and air systems) is subject to continuous technical developments. Due to automation and artificial intelligence, control tasks are increasingly transferred to so-called assistance systems and technical components. The time saved can be used by humans to perform additional tasks or to control several systems and system networks simultaneously, especially in the context of multi-domain operations (MDO). One focus of research is the system-ergonomic design of interaction and cooperation between all components in the socio-technical system in order to achieve reliable system behavior.
Ergonomic design of safety-critical systems, workstations, and products
The research focuses on ergonomic design in safety-critical systems, workplaces, and products. The entire process is supported, from the determination of requirements to demonstrators, testing, and commissioning. Ergonomic design combines knowledge about human work with goals such as efficiency, controllability, survivability, productivity, regulatory requirements, and reliability. This applies to various areas, such as workplaces in armored vehicle combat compartments, control stations, or in production. The right selection and application of ergonomic methods and an open design space that takes technical, organizational, and personal aspects into account are crucial for success.
Immersion in interactive systems through tangible XR and haptic interaction
Realistic representation of sensory impressions in interactive systems is important for the immersion and authenticity of information and environments. This applies to practical applications such as remote control of robots or training for critical situations in XR. Another area of application is flexible development environments in which design options are explored.
The research focuses on the development of flexible forms of presentation for haptic sensations in technologies such as VR, AR, and MR or other human-machine interfaces. Examples include the creation of "rough" tactile sensations for spatial boundaries in the Rapid Prototyping Hub and movement sensations via the Motion Platform. Another focus is the development of a haptic component that makes weights and forces perceptible without physical objects. For example, users can experience lifting a virtual 10 kg box without having to hold a real box.
Intuitive and safe interaction design for modern workplaces for teleoperated systems
Teleoperated systems enable safe and effective interaction between operators and machines, allowing personnel to be deployed efficiently and complex tasks to be mastered in hazardous or difficult-to-access environments. They can be used in various domains, such as unmanned truck convoys or unmanned aerial systems.
An important research focus of Human Systems Integration is the development of user-friendly interfaces that enable intuitive control. The aim is to promote situational awareness among operators and reduce their cognitive load. This includes ergonomic controls and the use of technologies such as AR or VR to present complex information in a clear and understandable way.
Development of physiological measurement systems for real-time applications in ergonomics and human-technology interaction
The use of ergonomic analysis methods helps to identify and evaluate hazards and stresses for humans. These methods thus support ergonomic design. However, a lot of time is often spent on analysis, leaving less time for design. The department's research focuses on the partial automation of data collection and processing in ergonomic analysis through the use of sensors. This enables more accurate and comprehensive data collection, which in turn allows more complex evaluation models to be used. For example, the compression load on the L5/S1 intervertebral disc can be calculated in real time without the need for time-consuming calibration. This is particularly helpful in workplaces with manual loads.
Knowledge transfer for working methods and techniques in the field of ergonomics and product and system development
Research here focuses on the sustainable integration of ergonomic knowledge into work processes. This includes workplace design and product development, from rough concepts and the definition of requirements to verification and continuous improvement. Effective concepts are created and tested in pilot projects. There are no limits to the application of ergonomic knowledge. This ranges from innovation partnerships and the development of AI-supported ergonomics agents to simple checklists and manuals for companies.
Fraunhofer Institute for Communication, Information Processing and Ergonomics FKIE