Digital Twin-Driven Human Robot Collaboration Using a Digital Human.

Area of Science:

• Industrial Engineering
• Robotics
• Human Factors Engineering

Background:

• Digital twin (DT) and human-robot collaboration (HRC) are advancing industrial manufacturing for improved safety, efficiency, and flexibility.
• DTs enable human modeling and simulation for ergonomic assessments in workplace design.
• Integrating DTs with HRC systems offers potential for more human-centered production environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a DT-driven HRC system that integrates digital human (DH) technology for enhanced manufacturing.
• To demonstrate the system's capability in real-time worker motion measurement, simulation of work progress, and physical load assessment.
• To validate the system's effectiveness in dynamic scheduling and ergonomic evaluation within an industrial context.

Main Methods:

• Development of an integrated DT-driven HRC system comprising virtual robot, DH, and production management modules.
• Real-time worker motion capture and simulation using DH technology within a virtual environment.
• Seamless integration via wireless communication enabling real-time robot control and dynamic production scheduling.

Main Results:

• The developed system successfully monitored worker movements and predicted work progress.
• Dynamic scheduling was performed based on predicted progress and ergonomic constraints.
• The system provided effective ergonomic assessments, demonstrating its proof-of-concept for human-centered production.

Conclusions:

• The DT-driven HRC system, incorporating DH technology, is a viable approach for human-centered manufacturing.
• The system facilitates real-time monitoring, prediction, scheduling, and ergonomic assessment in industrial settings.
• This work lays the foundation for future advancements in intelligent and adaptive HRC systems.