Advancing digital human modeling and work simulation methods for proactive ergonomics assessments

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Work-related musculoskeletal disorders cause a tremendous financial burden to Canadian society. In a proactive ergonomics process, digital human models (DHMs), or virtual human avatars, can be inserted into computerized renderings of the workplace, allowing engineers & ergonomists to analyze the feasibility and safety of work task elements and product designs before they ever exist in reality. Proactive work simulation represents a cost-effective approach to minimize injury-related and redesign expenses late in the production cycle, but the ergonomics tools within DHMs are currently restricted by a lack of fundamental knowledge on occupationally-relevant human capability. As such, the long-term goal of my research program is to reduce costly work-related musculoskeletal disorders through the enhancement of ergonomics strength and fatigue assessment tools within DHM work simulation. The short-term objectives of my research program are to: 1) Understand human strength capability in a variety of occupationally-relevant scenarios and worker populations; 2) Study how transient factors, such as neuromuscular fatigue, affect occupational strength capability; and 3) Continually update predictive models of human capability within DHM simulation frameworks. My lab's specific research approach involves a series of in vivo laboratory studies investigating how manual arm strength is affected by factors such as sex, age, limb dominance and dynamic exertions (Obj. 1). We will also evaluate the transient muscle fatigue response when repetitive, manual force protocols are performed at a range of exposure levels relative to current acceptable ergonomics limits (Obj. 2). During these objectives, we will simultaneously validate and update simulation outputs, with experimental results from Obj. 1 & 2, to further enhance our capacity to predict acceptable force limits in any theoretical occupational scenario and work simulation (Obj. 3). My research program will produce short- and long-term outcomes that: a) contribute to our fundamental knowledge of human strength capability and occupational muscle fatigue, while b) concurrently facilitating immediate impact and knowledge transfer in the form of enhanced DHM and work simulation capability in the industrial engineering process. Another goal of my research program is to produce highly qualified trainees in the field of occupational ergonomics, who will work in a highly collaborative laboratory-based research environment and gain exposure working with and translating their research to industrial partners in the automotive and DHM software industries. Developing robust predictive models of human capability and performance represents an exciting advancement in the fidelity of proactive work simulation and works towards the long-term goal of reducing workplace injuries and their substantial emotional and financial burden to Canadian industry and society.