Seat has reduced the number of muscle injuries suffered by its factory workers at its Martorell plant by 70% in two years by using biomechanics and cutting-edge virtual reality technology.
Over the last 48 months, the company’s CARS Health & Rehabilitation Centre – the only in-house biomechanics lab in Spain aimed at occupational health – has carried out more than 4,000 studies of workers’ joints and muscular activity on factory lines.
A combination of 20 cameras and various sensors capture the movements of factory workers to create a 3D avatar, using analysis software similar to that used to create characters in video games. Then, virtual reality technology is used to simulate different positions on the assembly line and assess what modifications should be made.
As well as reducing injuries in factory operatives – some of whom carry out the same motions up to 100 times per day – the biomechanics lab helps Seat save time and money by determining the design of assembly lines before they are built.
As an example, the analysis of the lab led to one particular section of the new Seat Leon assembly line altered by 20cm to make it better ergonomically for the workers in that area.
Sonia Garcia, who is responsible for Ergonomics at Seat, said: “Job rotation and the design of the assembly line are crucial in order to prevent possible injuries. The avatar is a 3D image that accurately reproduces the speed and range of the motions. We can simulate different positions until we find the best option, for example, for attaching the rear hatch. This allows us to save time and money in comparison to performing tests on the actual line.”
Read about Ford’s efforts to use motion tracking technology to help its workers here.
