Paul, Gunther, Abele, Nils Darwin, and Kluth, Karsten (2021) A review and qualitative meta-analysis of Digital Human Modeling and Cyber-Physical-Systems in Ergonomics 4.0. IISE Transactions on Occupational Ergonomics and Human Factors, 9 (3-4). pp. 111-123.

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Abstract

Occupational Applications: Founded in an empirical case study and theoretical work, this paper reviews the scientific literature to define the role of Digital Human Modeling (DHM), Digital Twin (DT), and Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) to inform the emerging concept of Ergonomics 4.0. We find that DHM evolved into DT is a core element in Ergonomics 4.0. A solid understanding and agreement on the nature of Ergonomics 4.0 is essential for the inclusion of ergonomic values and considerations in the larger conceptual framework of Industry 4.0. In this context, we invite Ergonomists from various disciplines to broaden their understanding and application of DHM and DT.

Background: Industry 4.0 presents itself as an ecosystem; a collection of elements endowed with Cyber-Physical Systems and Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality devices, which are connected through the Internet of Things, and uploaded to Cloud Platforms for analysis, knowledge extraction, and diagnostics through Cognitive Computing based on a large amount of data. The concept is centered around data: managing data, analyzing data, and controlling data. Many factors influence this interconnected working environment, and for that reason planning and implementing the digital transformation implies many challenges. Industry 4.0 and Ergonomics are being integrated using a variety of tools and approaches, thus supporting the development of an Ergonomics 4.0 concept.

Purpose: This paper reviews studies focusing on the determinants of Ergonomics 4.0, identifying the main elements and their interrelationships with a focus on Digital Human Modeling and Cyber-Physical Systems. We consider approaches such as Operator 4.0 and ‘Modeling and Simulation for Digital Twin Creation’, which aim to accelerate the decision-making and adaptation processes. We identify the leading technologies, operations, and worker-related aspects through a qualitative meta-analysis, to establish elements and interrelationships of Ergonomics 4.0 determinants.

Methods: Literature was selected from articles recent journal publications, and a qualitative evaluation was performed using semantic meta-analysis. The findings were then used to develop a theoretical taxonomy of determinants of Ergonomics 4.0 in Industry 4.0 based on various classifiers, which were structured and interlinked.

Results: The five areas categorized include: Industry 4.0 technology, Human-Cyber-Physical Systems, Operator 4.0, Human-Robot collaboration, Digital Twin and Digital Human Modeling. The proposed conceptual framework for Ergonomics 4.0 describes processes, technology, information, and structures, which occur in Industry 4.0 as Operator 4.0, Human-Robot collaboration, Digital Twin, Digital Human Modeling and eventually define Ergonomics 4.0. The concepts of Digital Twin and Digital Human Modeling are analyzed in detail, as they form the core of Ergonomics 4.0.

Conclusions: We propose a conceptual framework for Ergonomics 4.0 as a Cyber-Physical System and discuss aspects of Digital Human Modeling and Digital Twin that are essential to understanding the role of Ergonomics and the integration of Ergonomics into Industry 4.0.

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