An Augmented Reality Platform for Real-Time Ergonomic Assessment and Biomechanical Simulation

Despite the existence of numerous innovative solutions aimed at enhancing the objectivity and efficiency of physical ergonomics analysis, traditional methods are still widely used among ergonomists, relying on direct observation of workers and their task performances. This research addresses this gap by introducing AR4Ergo, an Augmented Reality platform specifically designed to assist ergonomists by computing real-time standard indexes and simulating musculoskeletal loads using biomechanical virtual models. Xsens inertial motion capture system is employed to monitor human movements, while the OpenSim Application Programming Interface has been integrated into AR4Ergo for the simulation of musculoskeletal loads. Microsoft Hololens v2 is used to visualize human and workplace digital twins with information relative to ergonomic indexes and biomechanical simulations during the observation of the tasks performed by workers. A test was conducted to evaluate the functionalities of the platform, with three testers taking turns performing the roles of both the ergonomists and the operators. The results demonstrate how real-time analysis with a visual interface can be performed to augment ergonomists’ experience without modifying the basic observational procedure. Even if the feedback is positive, some improvements have been identified in order to allow the ergonomist to use AR4Ergo in daily practice for different industrial applications.