Towards automated ergonomics assessment using wearable sensors and surveys

Despite advancements in automating observation-based ergonomics assessments, most automations still rely on a single underlying construct (e.g. posture). This fragmented approach, however, derogates from the integrated nature of traditional assessment methods. The few studies that consider multiple aspects do so through indirect or manual procedures. This paper studies a novel approach of automating ergonomics assessment, making use of the well-established European Assembly Worksheet (EAWS), incorporating both posture and load manipulation. To this end, it comparatively examines observation-based and automated calculations, using paper-based documents for the former, and inertial measurement units and smart glasses for the latter. The comparative results show a strong, significant correlation between automated and observation-based EAWS calculations (r = 0.74; p < 0.05 for an assembly task, r = 0.82; p < 0.01 for a palletising task). Additional subjective survey results deviate from the EAWS calculations, but are complementary in identifying effects not detected by it.