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Integrative Computational Design and Construction for Architecture (T3.0)
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RP 24-1 – Human-Exoskeleton Interaction in Collaborative Tasks

Human-Exoskeleton Interaction in Collaborative Tasks

Research Project 24-1 (RP 24-1)

HEALTH AND SAFETY PLATFORM FOR HUMAN-EXOSKELETON INTERACTION IN COLLABORATIVE TASKS IN TIMBER CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

The project proposes a method to ensure health and safety in human-exoskeleton interaction based on a smart platform in collaborative tasks. The platform receives and transforms data from the worker's physiological signals such as muscle activation and body joint kinematics. These signals allow the estimation and classification of muscle fatigue levels and the identification of posture during the task. In addition, the platform can integrate the exoskeleton´s assistive force (in the case of the powered type). Based on the interconnection of these applications, the platform can detect pattern anomalies with a high risk of a possible accidents and/or injuries. The relevant information will then be sent to the workers for taking a decision or executing a preventive action. Finally, the project will evaluate the platform in passive and active (powered) exoskeletons scenarios in collaborative tasks. The challenges in the latter are higher because humans are wearing robotic devices and any inaccurate movement required by the task will affect the wearer's health.

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thomas Bauernhansl
Institute of Industrial Manufacturing and Management (IFF), University of Stuttgart

TEAM

Dr. Nelson Enrique Bances Purizaca (IFF)

PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

2023
1. Bances, E., Schneider, U., Garcia, B., Siegert, J., & Bauernhansl, T. (2023). Collaborative Tasks in Construction: A Model for Human-Exoskeleton Interaction to Minimize Muscle Exertion. Production at the Leading Edge of Technology. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-47394-4_4
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @article{bances2023collaborative, author = {Bances, E. and Schneider, U. and Garcia, B. and Siegert, J. and Bauernhansl, T.}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-031-47394-4_4}, editor = {at the Leading Edge of Technology, Production}, isbn = {978-3-031-47394-4}, journal = {Production at the Leading Edge of Technology.}, title = {Collaborative Tasks in Construction: A Model for Human-Exoskeleton Interaction to Minimize Muscle Exertion}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-47394-4_4}, year = 2023 }
2022
1. Schalk, M., Schalk, I., Bauernhansl, T., Siegert, J., & Schneider, U. (2022). Investigation of Possible Effects of Wearing Exoskeletons during Welding on Heart Rate. Physiologia, 2(3), Article 3. https://doi.org/10.3390/physiologia2030009
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @article{physiologia2030009, abstract = {This study aims to investigate the possible effects of wearing exoskeletons during welding on heart rate. Additionally, the validity of a measuring instrument for determining acute heart rate is to be assessed. N = 15 young healthy subjects with welding experience took part in the study. The study design defines a one-hour workflow that abstracts welding and grinding tasks. The sequence is based on the internationally recognized standard DIN EN ISO 9606-1 and reproduces authentic work sequences in constrained body positions. Each subject completed the workflow once with and once without an exoskeleton. Recorded measures were the heart rates measured by a wrist-worn smartwatch and by Impedance Cardiography (ICG). The average heart rate shows no statistically significant differences in the measurement series with and without exoskeletons. The temporal variation of the heart rate shows a statistically significant influence of wearing exoskeletons and provides a moderate to strong effect, corresponding to a Cohens d of d = 0.78. Only 28.57% of all data series obtained with a smartwatch were equivalent to ICG-data after analysis with t-test, Pearson’s correlation, and orthogonal regression. Using averaged heart rates to assess exoskeleton effects is not a suitable measure. A trend analysis using linear regression shows moderate to strong statistically significant effects in the time course of heart rates and provides an approach to evaluate exoskeleton-induced effects.}, author = {Schalk, Marco and Schalk, Ines and Bauernhansl, Thomas and Siegert, Jörg and Schneider, Urs}, doi = {10.3390/physiologia2030009}, issn = {2673-9488}, journal = {Physiologia}, number = 3, pages = {94--108}, title = {Investigation of Possible Effects of Wearing Exoskeletons during Welding on Heart Rate}, url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9488/2/3/9}, volume = 2, year = 2022 }
2. Schalk, M., Schalk, I., Bauernhansl, T., Siegert, J., & Schneider, U. (2022). Influence of Exoskeleton Use on Cardiac Index. Hearts, 3(4), Article 4. https://doi.org/10.3390/hearts3040014
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @article{hearts3040014, abstract = {This study aims to assess the whole-body physiological effects of wearing an exoskeleton during a one-hour standardized work task, utilizing the Cardiac Index (CI) as the target parameter. N = 42 young and healthy subjects with welding experience took part in the study. The standardized and abstracted one-hour workflow consists of simulated welding and grinding in constrained body positions and was completed twice by each subject, with and without an exoskeleton, in a randomized order. The CI was measured by Impedance Cardiography (ICG), an approved medical method. The difference between the averaged baseline measurement and the averaged last 10 min was computed for the conditions with and without an exoskeleton for each subject to result in ∆CIwithout exo and ∆CIwith exo. A significant difference between the conditions with and without an exoskeleton was found, with the reduction in CI when wearing an exoskeleton amounting to 10.51%. This result corresponds to that of previous studies that analyzed whole-body physiological load by means of spiroergometry. These results suggest a strong positive influence of exoskeletons on CI and, therefore, physiological load. At the same time, they also support the hypothesis that ICG is a suitable measurement instrument to assess these effects.}, author = {Schalk, Marco and Schalk, Ines and Bauernhansl, Thomas and Siegert, Jörg and Schneider, Urs}, doi = {10.3390/hearts3040014}, issn = {2673-3846}, journal = {Hearts}, number = 4, pages = {117--128}, title = {Influence of Exoskeleton Use on Cardiac Index}, url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2673-3846/3/4/14}, volume = 3, year = 2022 }
3. Schalk., M., Schalk., I., Bauernhansl., T., Siegert., J., & Schneider., U. (2022). Investigation of Possible Effects of Wearing Exoskeletons during Welding on Heart Rate. Physiologia, 2(3), Article 3. https://doi.org/10.3390/physiologia2030009
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @article{schalk2022investigation, author = {Schalk., Marco and Schalk., Ines and Bauernhansl., Thomas and Siegert., Jörg and Schneider., Urs}, doi = {10.3390/physiologia2030009}, journal = {Physiologia}, number = 3, pages = {94-108}, title = {Investigation of Possible Effects of Wearing Exoskeletons during Welding on Heart Rate}, url = {https://doi.org/10.3390/physiologia2030009}, volume = 2, year = 2022 }
4. Schalk., Marco., Schalk., Ines., Bauernhansl., Thomas., Siegert., Jörg., & Schneider., Urs. (2022). Influence of Exoskeleton Use on Cardiac Index. Hearts, 3(4), Article 4. https://doi.org/10.3390/hearts3040014
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @article{schalk2022influence, author = {Schalk., Marco. and Schalk., Ines. and Bauernhansl., Thomas. and Siegert., Jörg. and Schneider., Urs.}, doi = {10.3390/hearts3040014}, journal = {hearts}, number = 4, pages = {111-128}, title = {Influence of Exoskeleton Use on Cardiac Index}, url = {https://doi.org/10.3390/hearts3040014}, volume = 3, year = 2022 }

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

DATA SETS

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thomas Bauernhansl

Principal Investigator

Phone: +49 711 89701101

E-Mail

Human-Exoskeleton Interaction in Collaborative Tasks

HEALTH AND SAFETY PLATFORM FOR HUMAN-EXOSKELETON INTERACTION IN COLLABORATIVE TASKS IN TIMBER CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

TEAM

PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

2023

BibTeX

2022

BibTeX

BibTeX

BibTeX

BibTeX

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

DATA SETS

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thomas Bauernhansl

Audience

Formalities

Services

Organization

Human-Exoskeleton Interaction in Collaborative Tasks

HEALTH AND SAFETY PLATFORM FOR HUMAN-EXOSKELETON INTERACTION IN COLLABORATIVE TASKS IN TIMBER CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

TEAM

PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

2023

BibTeX

2022

BibTeX

BibTeX

BibTeX

BibTeX

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

DATA SETS

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thomas Bauernhansl

Cluster of Excellence IntCDC

Audience

Formalities

Services

Organization