INSPIRATION
Like machines, the human workforce is an important asset of manufacturing companies.So the monitoring and coordination of the employees is an unavoidable aspect of optimizing productivity. Wearable devices like smartwatches,smart bands,headsets provide critical data quickly and unobtrusively.The manufacturing trends of wearables improve the safety of workers by constantly monitoring movements on the shop floor and raising alarms in the event of a safety incident. The monitoring of shop floor movement also provides data that is useful in process improvements and layout designs. These solutions provide the companies with the health conditions of workers facilitating the better care of employees. In addition, wearable headsets incorporated with AR blend real-world views with software-driven overlays to instruct workers on the factory floor.
Motion Miners (2017, Dortmund, Germany) is a German startup providing solutions for analyzing the motion of workers for process optimization. Motion-Mining enables automatic and anonymous analysis of manual work processes with regard to their ergonomics and efficiency. These wearables on the employees’ wrists or waists anonymously record various activities. The startup also provides tracers and beacons permitting location-based analysis of the contacts to uncover critical areas. Motion Miner’s AI software automatically analyzes the data using deep learning algorithms and helps to optimize the waiting, travel, and handling time in processes in the shopfloor. The platform also analyzes the ergonomics of the processes by detecting unhealthy stooping, overhead work, or walking distances. The analytics dashboard also acts as an infection prevention tool by identifying contact hotspots
on the factory floor.
Tended (2017, Lincoln, UK) is a UK-based startup developing wearable solutions to enhance the safety of the workforce. The startup uses ultra-wideband technology in its wrist bands that deliver accurate employee location. Tended’s hub monitors the distance between devices and gives vibration alerts if the wearers get too close, ensuring social distancing.The wearable sensors detect trips, falls or impacts, and monitors movement continuously marking the employee as safe if motion is detected. The wearable also provides employees with a panic alarm to alert the management in case of an emergency. The startup offers a dashboard that acts as a secure platform to monitor employee safety in real-time, identify workplace risks, and respond to emergencies. This sustains a constant connection with the workforce.