Digitalisation | Artificial Intelligence

Assistance systems, robots, artificial intelligence - digitalisation is bringing about far-reaching changes in the world of work. Our research is helping to identify the opportunities and risks of these developments, enabling policymakers and organisations to take well-informed decisions.

Woman at a computer workstation reflected in a monitor
© iStock | Peopleimages

In the digitalised world of work, display screen equipment (DSE) work involves far more than carrying out tasks on the classic PC. There are many fields where it is common for workers to depend on equipment like laptops and mobile end devices. One requirement is to examine the transferability of existing design knowledge in this field to new types of work situations.

Today the findings of digital ergonomics and its design tools are already supporting the careful planning of products and work systems. Shortcomings can consequently be identified at an early stage and ergonomic improvements implemented.

Meanwhile innovative technologies hold out opportunities to design the world of work more inclusively for people with disabilities - whether by relying on general technologies like smartphones with appropriate apps or by introducing specially developed applications or even collaborative robots. Physical work assistance technologies, such as robot systems and exoskeletons, can support people when performing physical work tasks. Research into the best ways of designing these systems and human-centred approaches to their deployment is therefore gaining in significance.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is not just having impacts on products and work equipment, but also on the design of employees’ activities and workplaces. Apart from the economic potential inherent in AI, attention will increasingly have to be paid to human-centred work design in this context as well.

Research Projects

Project numberF 2573 StatusOngoing Project Second survey on the diffusion and impact of digitalisation and change in employment (DiWaBe 2.0)

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Research ongoing

Project numberF 2553 StatusOngoing Project Cognitive ergonomics in virtual team communication

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Research ongoing

Project numberF 2557 StatusOngoing Project Human-centered Technologies for a Safer and Greener European Construction Industry (HumanTech)

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Research ongoing

Project numberF 2526 StatusCompleted Project Overview of Policies, Research and Practices in Relation to Advanced Robotics and AI-based Systems for Automation of Tasks and Occupational Safety and Health

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Research completed

Project numberF 2506 StatusCompleted Project Socio-Physical Interaction Skills for Cooperative Human-Robot Systems in Agile Production (SOPHIA)

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Research completed

Project numberF 2497 StatusOngoing Project Safety-related risk assessment of a cyber-physical model system for industry 4.0 applications

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Research ongoing

Project numberF 2466 StatusCompleted Project Ergonomic evaluation of the long-term use of passive exoskeletons in the world of work

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Research completed

Project numberF 2463 StatusCompleted Project Autonomous Robots for Assistance Functions: Interactive Basic Skills (ARAIG)

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Research completed

Project numberF 2444 StatusCompleted Project Survey on dissemination and impact of digitalisation and change in employment in the world of work

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Research completed

Project numberF 2418 StatusCompleted Project Human-centered design of human-robot-interaction; Project 3 "Human-Robot-Interaction and assistance systems - task allocation in Smart Factories"

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Research completed

Project numberF 2472 StatusCompleted Project Digital Technologies as a Resource for OSH in Service Professions

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Research completed

Project numberF 2424 StatusCompleted Project Prevention for safe and healthy working with digital technologies (PräDiTec)

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Research completed

Project numberF 2421 StatusCompleted Project Overall project: Didactical design and human factors evaluation of work assistance systems for safe working in complex situations in the steel industry (StahlAssist)
BAuA: Development of concepts for an application of smart devices that promotes learning

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Research completed

Project numberF 2359 StatusCompleted Project Optimized workload in process control centres utilizing modern ICT equipment

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Research completed

Project numberF 2412 StatusCompleted Project Interactive personalized visualization in industrial processes using the example of the digital factory in electronics manufacturing (Glass@Service)

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Research completed

Project numberF 2396 StatusCompleted Project Digital Ergonomics: Virtual anthropometry for safe and ergonomic product and work system design

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Research completed

Project numberF 2351 StatusCompleted Project Individualized socio-technical workplace assistance for industrial production (INDIVA) - Designing individualized work assistance systems using digital human modeling

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Research completed

Project numberF 2313 StatusCompleted Project Delphi survey: "Digital Ergonomics 2025 - Trends and strategies for increasing product usability and designing safe, healthy and efficient socio-technical work systems"

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Research completed

Project numberF 2288 StatusCompleted Project Head-Mounted Displays - Conditions for safe and healthy use

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Research completed

Project numberF 2278 StatusCompleted Project Effects on decision making and behaviour from "smart" protective clothing

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Research completed

Publications

Search results

Exploring the Relationship Between Techno-Unreliability at Work and Burnout

Article 2024

Objective: With the growing dissemination of digital technologies in the workplace, technologies itself and related factors are …

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How Does Experience Influence Usability Expectations in Human-Robot Interaction? Results of a Worker Evaluation in an Industrial Setting

Article 2024

The complete article "How Does Experience Influence Usability Expectations in Human-Robot Interaction? Results of a Worker …

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Narrating Grief: The Storytelling Strategy and its Immersive Potential in Pia Says Goodbye (Dortmund)

Article 2024

The complete article "Narrating Grief: The Storytelling Strategy and its Immersive Potential in Pia Says Goodbye (Dortmund)" is …

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On Model Performance Estimation in Time Series Anomaly Detection

Article 2024

The complete article "On Model Performance Estimation in Time Series Anomaly Detection" is a chapter of the Book "CIIS '23: …

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Stress from Digital Work: Toward a Unified View of Digital Hindrance Stressors

Article 2024

The complete article "Stress from Digital Work: Toward a Unified View of Digital Hindrance Stressors" can be downloaded at the …

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The accessibility of digital technologies for people with visual impairment and blindness: a scoping review

Article 2024

This scoping review aimed to improve the understanding of important factors in digital accessibility for people with visual …

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Validation of a 3D body scanner system with automated circumference measurement calculation while considering the influence of different 3D data types

Article 2024

The complete article "Validation of a 3D body scanner system with automated circumference measurement calculation while …

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With kind regards? The relationship between digital work communication and mental health

Article 2024

The complete article "With kind regards? The relationship between digital work communication and mental health" can be …

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A context-specific analysis of ethical principles relevant for AI-assisted decision-making in health care

Article 2023

Artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted technologies may exert a profound impact on social structures and practices in care …

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A robot automating manure cleaning to maintain hygiene in livestock (ID11)

Cooperation 2023

The Publication A robot automating manure cleaning to maintain hygiene in livestock (ID11) can be purchased …

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The 2023-25 Healthy Workplaces Campaign

European Campaign

The current European Healthy Workplaces Campaign, "Safe and healthy work in the digital age", is focussed on the impacts of the digital transformation in the world of work. The aim is to help publicise and spread good practice solutions.

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