Introduction

Motion analysis can be used for a variety of examinations in the field and in the laboratory, e.g. to record body postures and movements as part of a stress/risk assessment of workplaces or for process analysis of activities. The IMU Motion Capture System Xsens Awinda is currently used at the IAD. Xsens Awinda is the gold standard in motion capture: the data from the Awinda system allows human movements to be digitized, analyzed and further processed, e.g. in simulation software such as ema Work Designer .

Technology

The Awinda system records human movements using 17 wireless sensors that are attached to the body with straps. With a range of up to 50 m and a battery life of up to 6 hours, it can be used in a variety of working environments in the field or laboratory, even when personal protective equipment is used. Xsens Awinda has a very high accuracy at a measuring frequency of 60 Hz.

Application

The Awinda system can be used to record the movements of the whole body or individual body joints. The objective data obtained can then be used in complex ergonomic assessment procedures (e.g. EAWS) or to assess human body joint angles in accordance with standards (e.g. DIN EN ISO 11226 or DIN EN ISO 1005-4). Alternatively, standard ergonomic assessments such as RULA and REBA can be carried out automatically. Other application examples include Range of Motion (ROM) assessments when using body-worn assistance systems (e.g. exoskeletons).

Motion capture systems have already been successfully used in several IAD projects, e.g:

• SME 4.0: Analysis of the change in psychophysical stress as a result of the use of assistance systems
• Measurement of motion data during aircraft baggage handling.