A Reference Framework to Combine Model-Based Design and AR to Improve Social Sustainability

Abstract

Product and process digitalization is pervading numerous areas in the industry to improve quality and reduce costs. In particular, digital models enable virtual simulations to predict product and process performances, as well as to generate digital contents to improve the general workflow. Digital models can also contain additional contents (e.g., model-based design (MBD)) to provide online and on-time information about process operations and management, as well as to support operator activities. The recent developments in augmented reality (AR) offer new specific interfaces to promote the great diffusion of digital contents into industrial processes, thanks to flexible and robust applications, as well as cost-effective devices. However, the impact of AR applications on sustainability is still poorly explored in research. In this direction, this paper proposed an innovative approach to exploit MBD and introduce AR interfaces in the industry to support human intensive processes. Indeed, in those processes, the human contribution is still crucial to guaranteeing the expected product quality (e.g., quality inspection). The paper also analyzed how this new concept can benefit sustainability and define a set of metrics to assess the positive impact on sustainability, focusing on social aspects.

Defining and measuring the effects of digital technologies on social sustainability: A systematic literature review

“…We also identify a need for more tools and metrics, mentioned in (Apaydin et al, 2018; García‐Muiña et al, 2021; Grandi et al, 2021; Papetti, Gregori, et al, 2020; Somanath et al, 2021; Taj et al, 2019). This is in accordance with our findings, which indicate that the least common method used is mathematical modeling.…”

“…Equality and inclusion Alharthi et al, 2018;Apaydin et al, 2018;Bensi et al, 2011;Bouzguenda et al, 2019;Casal & Ramos, 2017;Charmaraman & Delcourt, 2021;Chavalarias, 2016;Chowdhury, 2013;Deng et al, 2016;Dobrolyubova, 2022;Ekener, 2019;Grybauskas et al, 2022;Ihm & Hsieh, 2015;Jauhiainen et al, 2022;Loebach et al, 2019;Mark et al, 2019;Mastrocinque et al, 2022;Millard et al, 2018;Ochara & Mawela, 2015;Okon, 2009;Papadopoulos & Broadbent, 2009;Pat on-Romero & Jaccheri, 2021;Pick & Sarkar, 2016;Rosário & Dias, 2022;Somanath et al, 2021;Stojanova et al, 2022;Sultana et al, 2021;Webster & Leleux, 2019;Zavratnik et al, 2020Jobs Begum et al, 2022Brozzi et al, 2020;Deng et al, 2016;García-Muiña et al, 2021Genz et al, 2019;Ghobakhloo et al, 2022;Grandi et al, 2021;Gregori et al, 2017;Grybauskas et al, 2022;Hohn & Durach, 2021;Klier et al, 2019;Loganathan, 2022;...…”

Semantically Enriched Augmented Reality Applications: A Proposed System Architecture and a Case Study

“…In their study, they developed an augmented reality iOS prototype application that utilized ARKit along with machine learning and incorporated YOLOv3 [42] for object recognition and tracking. In their study, Grandi et al [43] provided a reference framework that can be used in order to combine augmented reality with model-based design to enhance social sustainability. Based on their suggested framework, they developed a prototype augmented reality application using Vuforia.…”

Taking Charge of One’s Own Safety While Collaborating with Robots: Enhancing Situational Awareness for a Safe Environment

“…By removing safety-related uncertainties about how to behave to remain safe, as well as by showing that collaboration does not hinder productivity, workers with any background and experience can be more willing to accept robots as close collaborators. Additionally, multimodal situation-awareness displays can present all the necessary hazard-related situation awareness information also to workers with any degree of hearing impairment as well as to any worker when environmental noise is significant, making collaboration more inclusive and accessible [16,17]. Furthermore, we hypothesize that providing users with information about the situation while they have full control, will lead not only to safe HRC scenarios, but also to an environment where users will perceive feeling safe.…”