Hybrid Models for the Development of Technical Systems for Direct Interaction with Humans - Units with Power Tools and Upper Body Support Systems as an Example

• Applicants: Professor Dr.-Ing. Sven Matthiesen; Professor Dr.-Ing. Sandro Wartzack; Professor Dr.-Ing. Robert Sebastian Weidner
• Subject Area: Human Factors, Ergonomics, Human-Machine Systems ; Engineering Design, Machine Elements, Product Development ; Production Automation and Assembly Technology
• Term: from 2020 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 435242218

The aim of the present research project is the development of a methodology for the development of wearable and hand-held technical systems, which are in close interaction with human beings. Systems in focus are both support systems that are parallel to the human body (e.g., exoskeletal systems) as well as systems acting serial to the human body (e.g., hand-held devices such as power tools). This methodology merges methods of use-case modelling, support systems, bio-mechanical models of the human body and multi-critical optimization algorithms. Through the combination and extension of common simulation approaches with bio-mechanical models of the human body arise hybrid models for the product development of exoskeletons and power tool, one parallel and one serial to the human body. This proposed research project enables, in contrast to today, the integrative development of exoskeletons and power tools regarding the focused use-cases. Currently, the direct combination of support-system and power tools happens to be challenging for the developer. Reasons are the consideration of the complex human anatomy, the correct choosing of harmless force introduction into the human body and especially the complex human motion patterns. The current approach of intuitive evaluation of boundary conditions regarding the user is experience based knowledge of experts and engineers familiar with the topic. An evaluation during development of support-system and power tool is yet not possible since final and wearable prototypes are required. The proposed methodology aims to close this gap by providing new hybrid models for the full support during design and a continuous evaluation of the developed support-system and power tool. Therefore, methods of use-case and human body modelling are merged to create these hybrid models through co-simulation. In this proposed research project, the methodology will be developed and evaluated for an upper-body support-system (exoskeleton) with an integrated wrench for the use case bolting above the head.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants