Preliminary analysis of low-cost motion capture techniques to support virtual ergonomics

This paper concerns the development of a computer-aided platform to analyse workers’ postures and movements and ergonomically validate the design of device a man or woman may deal with. In particular, we refer to pick and place operations of food items on the display unit shelves. The paper describes three low-cost solutions that integrate two optical motion capture techniques (one based on web-cam and another on MS Kinect sensor) and two human modelling systems (Jack and LifeMod) with the main goal of determining the suitability of operators’ working conditions and, eventually, providing a feedback to the design step. The solutions have been tested considering a vertical display unit as case study. Preliminary results of the experimentation as well as main benefits and limits are presented. The results have been considered promising; however, we have planned to perform an acquisition campaign in the real environment, the supermarket.