view . spring2016
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Opposite:Master’s studentPaul Leuty recreatesmotions for capturebyacomputer-generatedmannequin.
AUniversityof Windsor researcher isworking tohelp injured
workers return to the jobmorequicklyandsafely.
Dr. JoelCort, anassociateprofessorof kinesiology, usescomputer
software to simulate theprecisemovementsahumanbodyperforms
whenworkingonanautomotiveplant’sassembly line.He isdigitally
recreatingautomotiveassembly stations inaneffort to improve
return-to-workprotocols for thosewhomayhaveexperiencedawork-
related injury.
“Weareusingadvancedergonomics tools towatchcomputer
mannequins literallygo through theexactmotionsaworkerwould
go through, tohelpunderstandwhereandhow injuryoccurred,”
saysDr.Cort.
Theproject isacollaboration involvingCort, the insuranceprovider
GreatWestLife, FordMotorCompany’sassemblyplant inOakville, and
MITACS, anot-for-profitorganization thatdesignsanddelivers research
and trainingprograms inCanada.The simulation software isdesigned
bySiemens.
The software resemblesavideogamewhere theuser, or researcher,
givescommandsand thedigitalmannequin responds. Predictivemotion
algorithmsarecalculated todemonstratewhat isphysically required
tocarryout a task, includinghow themusclesmoveduringa taskand
taking intoconsiderationhowmucha toolweighs, orhowmuch force
is required to install apart.
“This technologygivesme theopportunity toact likeamovie
director, like theMartinScorseseof ergonomic research,” saysCort.
“Idirect themannequin, thewayyou’ddirect anactor,with special
interest inestimatinghow safe it is foraperson topose, grasp, bend,
sit, standorapply force.”
His labcreatedadigital libraryof humanmovementbyhooking
peopleup tomonitorsandhaving themactout theexactmovements
required toworkat aparticular assemblyplantworkstation. They
logged themovements, includinghowmuch force is required
andhowabodybends.
“Ultimatelywewant touseproactiveergonomicsanddesign
betterworkstationsbefore theyarephysicallybuilt,” saysCort.
“However, in theeventof awork-related,musculoskeletal injury,
wecanprovide information fromergonomics software tohealthcare
professionals, toaid inboth thedesignof rehabilitationprogramsand
return-to-workdecisions.”
Thegoal of the simulationprogram is tocreateavideo that explains
exactlywhat aworker’sbodywasdoingon the job, sodoctorsand
physical therapistscanhelp tailor return-to-workprograms.
Thevideoalsohelps identifyhowaworker’sphysical capacityhas
changedafteran injury.Whendoctorsfill out return-to-workprotocols
for rehabilitatedworkers, theywill beable toassessmoreaccurately
whichworkstationsmaybeoff-limits, andhelpensureworkersare
placed in jobs thatdonotput themat riskof re-injury.
“It’s in thebest interestof everyone—thecompany, the insurance
providerand theunion—tokeepworkers safeandhealthy,” saysCort.
“Researchproves that goodergonomicskeepspeoplehealthy,
increases thequalityof the job, boostsmoraleand reducescosts
associatedwith injuries.”
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DIGITALERGONOMICSRESEARCH
HELPINGLOWERRISKOFRE-INJURY
RESEARCH
BYSARAELLIOTT
Dr. Joel Cort
