About Us

The modelling and efficient simulation of human motions for applications in the fields of ergonomics, medicine and computer graphics is a big challenge. Complex movements will be handled by humans in the future as well. We deal with the question how to develop the physically challenging assembly as ergonomic as possible.

Six Fraunhofer Institutes are collaborating in this project EMMA-CC. The objective of the project "Ergodynamic Moving Manikin with Cognitive Control" is the development of an enhanced digital human model for ergonomic assessment of dynamic motions by validated simulation to support the design of healthier and safer work places in future product development and product planning processes.

Involved Fraunhofer Institutes

  • Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics ITWM
  • Fraunhofer-Chalmers Centre FCC
  • Fraunhofer Institute for Computer Graphics Research IGD
  • Institute for Production Systems and Design Technology IPK
  • Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering IAO
  • Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA

 

Main Focus and Goals

The digital human model provides a basic tool, which we want to enhance by combining it with the following research fields in order to achieve our ambitious objectives:

With the model developed in the project EMMA-CC it will be possible to develop new ergonomic guidelines for dynamic motions. These provides the basis for an ergonomically favorable assembly planning accounting for dynamical effects, as well as a personalized ergonomic workplace design. Due to fast and robust numerical algorithms the model is running nearly in real time on a modern personal computer, which allows for the productive use in optimizing virtual assembly. The practical relevance of the simulation tool is validated by numerous ongoing experiments and its practical utility for application engineers is demonstrated in a virtual reality environment.