The German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) and Hitachi have jointly developed an AI system that records a worker’s movements at their workstation, identifies physical loads, and instantly evaluates the relevant data. Sensors at over 30 parts of the body compare the worker’s motion data in real time with that of a model worker and identify specific differences through the use of AI. The worker can then leverage this evaluation to identify the parts of their body subjected to higher physical loads.

As a recent analysis by the German Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) shows, physical labor is still prevalent in Germany. Workers in metal construction professions, for instance, often stand to do their work, something which 27% of those surveyed said they find detrimental to their health. Over half of these workers stated that heavy lifting and carrying and working in forced postures, such as bent over or kneeling, causes them discomfort.