Human-Machine-Interaction Laboratory

• Subject Area: Mechanics and Constructive Mechanical Engineering
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 528773253

A better understanding of human interaction with technical systems is a central prerequisite for realizing the vision of Industry 5.0. For this, the behavior of humans as a result of mechanical and informational stimuli must be studied on a statistically relevant scale. This requires a research environment in which mechanical and informational stimuli can be reproduced and in which human behavior can be quantified. With the proposed research instrument, it will be possible to let test persons interact with a simulated hand-held machine in a mixed physical-virtual research environment. The hand-held machine is haptically simulated via a robot and vibration exciter, so that large movements of the test person and applications actively supported by the robot can be performed. The test person grasps the robot system and the vibration exciter with one or both hands via a physical handle and can thus experience the simulated machine haptically. Different informational stimuli will be set via a virtual reality environment. The behavior of the person is measured, for example via variables such as occurring forces, body movements or EMG signals. The physical-virtual simulation of the hand-held machine also makes it possible to test novel and non-existing machine- and control concepts in interaction with humans. This research environment thus enables a new knowledge-driven human-centered product development.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: Mensch-Maschine-Interaktion Labor
• Instrumentation Group: 2320 Greif- und Hebewerkzeuge, Verladeeinrichtungen
• Applicant Institution: Karlsruher Institut für Technologie
• Leader: Professor Dr.-Ing. Sven Matthiesen