How technology simplifies MSD prevention 

In the age of Big Data, sensors and virtual reality, technology is permeating all sectors of activity, and the prevention sector is no exception. And many of the applications and uses have yet to be invented. 

Moovency takes a look at how new technologies are being adopted by the occupational disease prevention sector, which includes MSDs… and, more specifically, computer vision and sensors. 

Technological innovations used to quantify the biomechanical risks of MSDs, they come with their fair share of advantages and disadvantages. We take a look. 

Computer vision: a technological innovation that makes MSD prevention accessible 

Computer vision is a fairly easy-to-use device, but it is highly advanced technology. Put simply, computer vision enables the machine to spot operators in images captured by a camera. This is made possible by artificial intelligence. Computer vision interprets these images and determines the positions of the operators’ joints, in 3D. This provides relevant visual data for prevention specialists. 

Inertial sensors, for greater precision in MSD prevention 

Sensors, on the other hand, are a completely different technology, but they are also very widespread. These sensors, often wireless, provide the orientation of the body parts to which they are attached. 

They incorporate an accelerometer, a gyroscope and, often, a magnetometer. 

The accelerometer measures the acceleration of the sensor. 

 The gyroscope measures the angular velocity of the sensor. For example, the gyroscope is the tool that tells our phones whether they are in portrait or landscape mode. 

These two physical quantities can be used to calculate the orientation of the sensor. Using the gyroscope results in a drift error that increases over time. As it is used more and more, it becomes out of tune. 

To overcome this problem, the magnetometer is often included in the inertial sensor. Using magnetism, it locates North and corrects the errors inherent in using the gyroscope. However, the magnetometer is very sensitive to magnetic and electrical interference, which is a major constraint in an industrial environment. 

While inertial sensors eliminate the problem of image masking encountered with computer vision, they have another disadvantage: they are restrictive and invasive for operators. Inertial sensors are placed all over the operator’s body. This means that the entire body can be reconstructed on the computer. 

 The operator may also be required to wear a full-body suit. 

 In both cases, this solution is not ideal, as the operators have to leave the production line. This takes them away from their work and wastes their time, which can be a source of frustration and misunderstanding. 

From the employer’s point of view, it’s also a problem, because a few minutes lost on a production line generally equates to thousands of euros lost. 

In addition to the loss of time, ergonomists and preventionists also have to ask the operator to perform a series of postures in order to calibrate the sensors. This can quickly turn out to be an unpleasant moment for the operator, as posing in front of all his colleagues is not to everyone’s taste. 

Moovency’s assessment of these technological innovations 

 

At Moovency, we wanted to offer the best to our customers and choose the most optimal solution. The one that combines efficiency and precision with ease of use. After a great deal of study and research, the conclusion was clear… So we decided to combine the efficiency of computer vision with the precision of sensors by creating KIMEA. 

Indeed, each method brings its own undeniable advantages. Computer vision stands out for its ease of use and non-invasiveness for operators. However, the reliability of the information provided by the sensors and the possibility of having an overall view of the workstation – regardless of obscuration – are also real advantages. This makes it possible to accurately analyze operators’ working conditions. 

At Moovency, we wanted to take the best of both worlds. We wanted to take all the advantages of both solutions, without their disadvantages, to create a tool for accurate and robust measurements. That’s why we designed our own hybrid solution, using 75% computer vision and 25% sensors, via our connected gloves. 

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This combination enables us to offer our customers a solution with multiple benefits: precision, ease of use, robustness over time, resistance to occultation… And all this while being non-invasive for operators. 

And if you want to find out for yourself how technology can simplify MSD prevention, Moovency offers you a free thirty-day trial of KIMEA Cloud! 

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