At the intersection of ergonomics and robotics, the "Ergonomics Evaluation Lab" serves as a central facility for assessing physical and psychological stress in next-generation work environments. Funded by the Munich Institute of Robotics and Machine Intelligence (MIRMI), this lab specializes in the ergonomic analysis of human-robot interaction (HRI), teleoperation, and collaborative systems.
Overview?
As robots and intelligent systems increasingly leave isolated manufacturing cells and enter into direct collaboration with humans, understanding the "human factor" is more important than ever. The Ergonomics Evaluation Lab offers a comprehensive set of tools for objectively measuring human performance, physiological strain, and biomechanical stress.
Our facility enables researchers to move beyond purely subjective feedback. We deliver highly precise quantitative data on how humans interact with robots, exoskeletons, and extended reality (XR) interfaces.
Research focus
- Human-Robot Interaction & Collaboration
Evaluation of safety, trust, and efficiency in collaboration between humans and cobots or autonomous mobile robots. - Teleoperation & Remote Control
Analysis of the cognitive and physical demands of remotely controlling robot-assisted avatars or manipulators. - Physical & Mental Workload
Quantification of musculoskeletal stress and cognitive load (mental workload) during complex tasks to prevent fatigue and strain. - Occupational Exoskeletons
Validation of the effectiveness and ergonomic fit of wearable robotics in industrial scenarios. - Virtual & Mixed Reality Workplaces
Testing of interface designs and simulation quality in immersive environments before physical prototypes are built.
Facilities & options
The lab is equipped with a state-of-the-art, multimodal sensor suite that enables the synchronization of motion, gaze, and interaction data.
Vicon Motion Tracking System: Our "gold standard" for optical tracking offers submillimeter accuracy for kinematic analysis. It is essential for validating human motion (ground truth) and precisely tracking robot end effectors during direct collaboration.
Xsens Awinda (IMU-based tracking): A fully wireless, inertial sensor-based motion capture system. This portable solution allows us to perform measurements even outside the camera's footprint.
Manus Metagloves: These haptic gloves enable high-resolution finger tracking. They are crucial for our teleoperation research, as they transfer fine motor skills to robotic hands and allow for the analysis of grip quality during manipulation tasks.
HTC Vive XR Systems: High-resolution headsets for virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR). These systems allow us to simulate hazardous or non-existent environments to safely test human reactions to new robot behaviors.
Tobii Pro Spark Eye Tracker: A screen-based eye-tracking system that captures gaze data at 60 Hz. We use this to analyze visual attention, situational awareness, and cognitive load to understand what users focus on during critical decision-making processes.
Co-creation, Cooperation & Promotion
This facility is funded by MIRMI (Munich Institute of Robotics and Machine Intelligence). The lab serves as a bridge between the Chair of Ergonomics and the broader robotics community at TUM and promotes interdisciplinary projects. For cooperation inquiries or if you are interested in collaborating, please contact our representative at mirza.imamovic(at)tum.de.