// ROBOTICS AND SMART FACTORIES TERM
Human Factors
Human factors, also known as ergonomics, is the scientific discipline concerned with understanding interactions among humans and other elements of a system. It applies theory, principles, data, and methods to design to optimize human well-being and overall system performance.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
Human Factors, or ergonomics, is an interdisciplinary scientific field applying principles of human psychology, physiology, and engineering to optimize the design of systems, products, and environments for human use, focusing on enhancing safety, efficiency, comfort, and overall system performance in industrial settings.
BACKGROUND
Manufacturing is the creation or production of goods with the help of equipment, labor, machines, tools, and chemical or biological processing or formulation. It is the essence of the secondary sector of the economy. The term may refer to a range of human activity, from handicraft to high-tech, but it is most commonly applied to industrial design, in which raw materials from the primary sector are transformed into finished goods on a large scale. Such goods may be sold to other manufacturers for the production of other more complex products, or distributed via the tertiary sector to end users and consumers.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Ergonomics
- Human-System Interaction
- Usability Engineering
- Cognitive Ergonomics
USAGE NOTE
Applying human factors principles in workstation design can reduce worker fatigue and increase productivity.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Human Factors.
Develops powered exoskeletons and mobile robotic systems, such as the Guardian XO, that augment human performance, reduce strain, and prevent injuries in physically demanding industrial and manufacturing jobs.
Creates a safety science platform using wearable IoT sensors that capture and analyze data on worker movements to provide real-time feedback and predictive insights on ergonomic risk, aiming to prevent workplace injuries.
A leading manufacturer of collaborative robots (cobots) designed to work safely and effectively alongside human employees, automating repetitive tasks and improving workplace ergonomics without the need for traditional safety caging.
Manufactures wearable barcode scanners integrated into smart gloves, allowing workers to scan hands-free. This improves efficiency and ergonomics by eliminating the need to repeatedly pick up and put down a traditional scanner.
Provides an enterprise Augmented Reality (AR) platform, TeamViewer Frontline, which uses smart glasses and mobile devices to deliver digital work instructions and remote expert support to frontline workers, improving process efficiency and reducing cognitive load.
Offers the Tecnomatix software portfolio, which includes tools for human simulation and ergonomic analysis. This allows manufacturers to design, simulate, and optimize manual workplace environments for safety, comfort, and efficiency before production begins.
Develops the Vuforia Augmented Reality (AR) platform, which is widely used in manufacturing to provide frontline workers with step-by-step digital work instructions and remote assistance, enhancing human capabilities and reducing errors in complex assembly and maintenance tasks.
A major manufacturer of industrial robots with a strong focus on human-robot collaboration (HRC). Their sensitive, collaborative robots like the LBR iiwa are designed for direct and safe interaction with human workers in shared manufacturing spaces.