Sensor Augmented Factory Environment (SAFE)

Sensing devices that assess variables such as worker posture; their physiological and fatigue states; exposure to chemicals; thermal, mechanical, and vibration hazards; and fall protection interlocks are commercially available and effectively monitor risk conditions. They also provide feedback to end-users and manufacturing managers. However, many of these technologies are platform specific and require linking to independent, third-party cloud environments to access analytics and data dashboards.

Building on the MxD 19-13 Human Workflow Digital Twin project, the team from Boeing, Northwestern University, and Modzy intends to produce a test bed to integrate safety endpoint devices with a scalable edge computing system. That system will interface with back-end analytics and follow business rules for feedback to users and manufacturing stakeholders. A substantial portion of the project will address barriers to adoption of endpoint sensor devices that measure/monitor safety conditions and worker health and environments.

This project could provide proactive ways to improve worker safety and health, cut costs, reduce injury-related delays, and ensure better working environments for manufacturing employees.