1. Wearable Ergonomic Sensor Technology
Neil Chetney, MSSE
Newport News Shipbuilding
WEST Project Lead

2. Ergo Wearable Sensor Technology
The shipbuilding and repair industry continues to experience a significant frequency of body motion (ergonomic) type injuries.
To date our approach to ergonomic improvements has been largely reactive, an ergonomic evaluation is triggered by either an accident or an evaluation request by an employee.
We seek to build effective sensor technology in order to obtain biomechanical and physiological data so that we can quantify ergonomic risk.
This data is to be gathered in real time in order to quantify the risk of body motion injury for a specific job or job sequence.
The sensors must operate in the challenging environments of shipbuilding
This gives the ability to prioritize jobs for ergonomic improvement/spending
This brings our ergonomic approach into the proactive sphere

3. Ergo Wearable Sensor Technology
There are many shipbuilding jobs that require our employees to work in awkward positions for long periods of time.
The result over any length of time is an increase in the probability of body motion injuries

4. 3D Static Strength Prediction Program (3DSSPP)
University of Michigan Center for Ergonomics, licensed for use by NNS
Actual task accomplished by welders at NNS. Laying down across stringers to weld under a horizontal. Notice how high the knee, hip, torso and ankle strain are.

5. Method of Modeling the Environment
Photos are taken of the task and a part is selected to replicate
Part is replicated in Autodesk Inventor
Part file is converted to an FBX file through SAP 3D Visual Enterprise Author
File is translated manually via jump drive to offline Unity Computer
Parts and objects are incorporated into realistic industrial workspace

6. Method of Modeling Humanoids
Task photos are taken and human position is selected to replicate
Photo is assigned as a background image in 3DSSPP software
Humanoid is modeled in 3DSSPP
Data report file containing joint moments, angles, and posture information is exported
Information is used to model avatars in Unity for animation

7. 3D Static Strength Prediction Program (3DSSPP)
Another welding task in the sitting position. Notice how high the low back compression, ankle, shoulder, torso, and hip strain are.

8. Wearable Ergonomic Sensor Technology
The goals of Wearable Ergonomic Sensor Tech are:
To combine data collection, modeling and stress calculations into one real time program
To use the resulting product to evaluate jobs throughout the shipyard to prioritize Ergonomic Intervention
To further collect data on ergonomic improvements to make sure improvements actually reduce the risk of body motion injury
To help Ergonomic Programs to become proactive
To provide data for yearly Ergonomics program funding

9. MetriX by SuitX How does MetriX work? The MetriX system includes:
Nodes
Wearable sensors designed for 8 hours of use
Mobile app
Interface to create risk studies and to display an employee’s live posture/risk motion
Charging Dock
Charges the Nodes
Uploads data to the web interface
Web Interface
Displays ergonomic risk data in a actionable way

10. MetriX by SuitX How does MetriX work (continued)?
Workers wear nodes on body parts that are at risk, such as:
Trunk (demoed)
Upper Arm (future)
Wrist (future)
Neck (future)
The nodes continuously measure the posture of the worker, and store this data over the work day or task time.
Device calculates overall risk of person based on their posture throughout the time worn.

11. Ergo Pro by GoX Labs How does Ergo Pro work? The GoX system includes:
Pods
Wearable sensors designed for 8 hours of use
Heart Rate Monitor
FitBit style Heart Rate Monitor measures heart rate and VO2 levels
Insoles
Measures vertical ground reaction forces that are distributed from heel to toe.
Mobile app
Interface records data and downloads to GoX web interface upon completion of tasking
Charging Dock
Charges the Nodes
Uploads data to the web interface

12. Ergo Pro by GoX Labs Integrate ankle IMUs Add a head IMU
How Will GoX modify Ergo Pro to satisfy the requirements of the NSRP Grant?
Integrate ankle IMUs
Add a head IMU
Mesh all of the IMUs
Create new dashboard visualization
Model that synchs “bad” biomechanics (stress points)

13. The Ergonomics Center of North Carolina at N.C. State
What is their role?
Provide direction to GoX and SuitX to incorporate mathematical body stress calculations into their respective systems.
Mesh output of both partners.
Coordinate software development in order to have machine output easily understandable to anyone.
Consult in new dashboard visualization

14. Future State of Wearable Ergonomic Sensor Technology
GoX has partnered with NextGen to incorporate their Bodykinetix Swift sensors into GoX tech, a project sponsored by the Mayo Clinic.
They are incorporating 5 sensors into a compression shirt to provide haptic feedback to the user when in a dangerous position, as well as record body motion in real time.
Both company’s wearable sensors reproduce in real time 3d models of the ongoing task while simultaneously running a program similar to 3DSSPP.
Swift Body Motion Sensors and real time modeling

15. Questions?