Integrating Motion Capture Technology into Ergonomics Design

In the era of increasing attention to ergonomic work organization (which also affects employee safety), ways are being sought to improve and detail ergonomic analyses aimed at proposing ways to improve working conditions. One such method may be the use of Mo-Cap technology, which allows for examining the position of employee body segments while performing key activities at work. The findings are at least partially compatible with ergonomic assessment techniques, e.g. REBA, in order to obtain a more accurate analysis resulting from better recognition of work planes. The presented article focuses on recognizing the possibilities of using Mo-Cap in ergonomic analyses on selected examples. The positive aspects of the application were identified (e.g. better recognition of the employee's body position during work) as well as limitations (e.g. lack of possibility to translate the ad-reading into determining the angles of the body segments' position). The results support the use of ergonomic assessment methods. They are also analyzed in relation to the benefits and barriers of using Mo-Cap technology in ergonomic analyses.