Industry 4.0 and the human factor – A systems framework and analysis methodology for successful development

Neumann, Patrick; Winkelhaus, Sven; Grosse, E. H.; Glock, C. H.

doi:10.1016/j.ijpe.2020.107992

Cited by 305 publications

(130 citation statements)

References 76 publications

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“…At the same time, E&HF are still underrepresented in the I4.0 research topic, resulting in a relevant research and application gap [25]. Gualtieri et al [26] reviewed the emergent research challenges on ergonomics and safety in industrial HRC and noted the lack of studies on ergonomics when compared to safety-related research.…”

Section: Impact Of Collaborative Robotics In the Manufacturing Industrymentioning

confidence: 99%

Lean Manufacturing and Ergonomics Integration: Defining Productivity and Wellbeing Indicators in a Human–Robot Workstation

Colim¹,

Morgado

Carneiro

et al. 2021

Sustainability

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Lean Manufacturing (LM), Ergonomics and Human Factors (E&HF), and Human–Robot Collaboration (HRC) are vibrant topics for researchers and companies. Among other emergent technologies, collaborative robotics is an innovative solution to reduce ergonomic concerns and improve manufacturing productivity. However, there is a lack of studies providing empirical evidence about the implementation of these technologies, with little or no consideration for E&HF. This study analyzes an industrial implementation of a collaborative robotic workstation for assembly tasks performed by workers with musculoskeletal complaints through a synergistic integration of E&HF and LM principles. We assessed the workstation before and after the implementation of robotic technology and measured different key performance indicators (e.g., production rate) through a time study and direct observation. We considered 40 postures adopted during the assembly tasks and applied three assessment methods: Rapid Upper Limb Assessment, Revised Strain Index, and Key Indicator Method. Furthermore, we conducted a questionnaire to collect more indicators of workers’ wellbeing. This multi-method approach demonstrated that the hybrid workstation achieved: (i) a reduction of production times; (ii) an improvement of ergonomic conditions; and (iii) an enhancement of workers’ wellbeing. This ergonomic lean study based on human-centered principles proved to be a valid and efficient method to implement and assess collaborative workstations, foreseeing the continuous improvement of the involved processes.

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Section: Impact Of Collaborative Robotics In the Manufacturing Industrymentioning

confidence: 99%

Lean Manufacturing and Ergonomics Integration: Defining Productivity and Wellbeing Indicators in a Human–Robot Workstation

Colim¹,

Morgado

Carneiro

et al. 2021

Sustainability

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“…It is obvious that the basis for the development of the digital economy is the implementation of advanced cyber-physical systems, based on the analysis of large data sets on production processes in order to optimize them. These activities, combined with the robotization and automation of production processes, result in the support and, in many cases, replacement of human work by machines [6,7]. The digitalization, automation and robotization of production processes have and will have an increasing impact on the structure of employment [8][9][10][11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing the level of digitalization and robotization in the enterprises of the European Union Member States

Brodny

2021

PLoS ONE

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One of the main reasons for the dynamic global economic development observed in recent years is the process of digitalization, referred to as Industry 4.0. The significance of digitalization for this development is appreciated by the EU-27. In order for these actions to be effective, it is necessary to diagnose the current level of digitalization in the EU-27countries. The article presents the results of the assessment of the level of digitalization of enterprises in the EU-27 countries. An empirical analysis was conducted using 16 determinants which describe the digitalization in a sample of 27 EU countries. Based on the adopted criteria and the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution method, these countries were divided into four classes in terms of the level of digitalization. The analysis looked at the size of enterprises and was performed independently for small, medium and large enterprises. The adopted indicators allowed for the analysis of similarity between the EU-27 countries in terms of digitalization, using the Kohonen’s networks. The result of this research was the division of the EU-27 countries into groups, also taking into account the size of studied enterprises. Due to the immensely diverse EU-27 economy, such a huge undertaking as the digital transformation process requires building logical internal "digital coalitions". The designated assessment and similarity between countries creates such opportunities, also in terms of building an effective policy to support these processes by the EU. This increases the chances of success of joint ventures and building a sustainable European community based on the latest technologies.

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“…The German technology platform Industrie 4.0 initiated the process of revolutionizing production by fostering and pushing technologies, as discussed in this paper, stressed from the very beginning four dimensions in this process: vertical and horizontal integration in enterprises, new procedures for integrating engineering and human-centred efforts, as an important condition to keep the humans in the loop. However, human aspects have not been sufficiently addressed within the context of I4.0 [23], something that has also been recognized by industrial stakeholders, and efforts are initiated in this direction. The platform Industrie 4.0 published a charter for Work and Learning in I4.0 [24] that is based on three central pillars: people, organization and technology, aiming at the sustainable design of work and training.…”

Section: Humans In Industry 40mentioning

confidence: 99%

Engineering human-focused Industrial Cyber-Physical Systems in Industry 4.0 context

Colombo

Karnouskos

Hänisch

2021

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A.

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The world is increasingly interconnected, and this can also be seen in industry, where an ecosystem of digitalized assets, and humans with appropriate digital interfaces, constantly interact with each other. Digital transformation efforts in the industry rely on Industrial Cyber-Physical Systems that are driven by service-based cooperation among humans and digitalized industrial assets. This implies a radical paradigm change in their engineering and operation, which is focused on the symbiosis of digitalized assets and humans that cohabit a collaboration-driven industrial ecosystem. This work discusses how a digital transformation can effectively be achieved in an industrial ecosystem via a digitalization process performed along the three dimensions of the Reference Architecture Model for Industry 4.0, facilitated by the specification, development and implementation of an Asset Administration Shell. The discussion focus is put on humans and how the digitally transformed industrial environments empower her/his capabilities and interactions. It is also critically pointed out how one should go beyond technology and consider additional aspects. Therefore, it is argued that human-centred efforts in Industry 4.0 (I4.0) should be seen in the larger context of sustainability and circular economy in order to properly consider the interplay of the involved socio-technical dimensions. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Towards symbiotic autonomous systems’.

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Industry 4.0 and the human factor – A systems framework and analysis methodology for successful development

Cited by 305 publications

References 76 publications

Lean Manufacturing and Ergonomics Integration: Defining Productivity and Wellbeing Indicators in a Human–Robot Workstation

Lean Manufacturing and Ergonomics Integration: Defining Productivity and Wellbeing Indicators in a Human–Robot Workstation

Assessing the level of digitalization and robotization in the enterprises of the European Union Member States

Engineering human-focused Industrial Cyber-Physical Systems in Industry 4.0 context

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