Employees from the Clan “Cognitive Ergonomics” of the Center of Excellence compare the performance of test participants in a simulated picking task in the laboratory. The test participants walk or stand on a treadmill, receive instructions for solving mental tasks via the headset or data glasses and react by pressing a button on joysticks. The study focuses on the effects of gait and smart devices on mental factors such as cognitive flexibility and selective attention, both of which are highly relevant for finding items on the shelf.

Initial results show that subjects using the headset are less cognitively flexible, i.e. less able to switch back and forth between different tasks, but generally react more quickly and accurately. Although test subjects are more cognitively flexible with data glasses, they show a loss of selective attention.

The preferred use of a Smart Device therefore depends on the type of work task and the environment: In confusing storage areas, the presentation of information via the data glasses when walking may pose a potential safety risk. However, if the work is primarily done standing up, the use of data glasses has advantages over the headset.

An interview with Dr. Magali Kreutzfeldt on this topic can be found in the current issue of “Betriebliche Prävention”: https://www.beprdigital.de/ce/interview-smart-devices-unterstuetzung-oder-belastung/detail.html

Photo: Leibniz-Institut für Arbeitsforschung (IfADo)

The human being is still of great importance in picking, because the use of robots is not yet efficient enough. “The assembly of articles requires a high level of concentration in order to avoid mistakes, a high level of motor precision in order to be able to pick even small articles with the most varied shapes, and good fitness, as far more than 10,000 steps have to be taken per shift. ” explains Dr. Johanna Renker. Smarte Technologien sollen hier den Mitarbeiter unterstützen, damit kürzere Wege gewählt und Fehler vermieden werden. Are these technologies really supportive or are they overstretching?

Dr. Johanna Renker from IfADo and her colleague Dr. Veronika Kretschmer from IML interviewed picking employees from different companies who used different picking methods such as pick-by-voice, pick-by-light or pick-by-scan. The evaluation of 88 employees showed that it is not the type of technology that is most relevant, but that it works flawlessly. “Nothing is more frustrating for employees than a device that doesn’t work properly, crashes all the time, or displays something wrong,” says Dr. Johanna Renker. The pick-by-voice system, which allows information to be heard via headphones and confirmations to be made via voice input, is doing particularly well. Your hands are free to grasp the items and you can concentrate visually on your surroundings.

However, the study also shows that good social contacts and good leadership quality are decisive for high employee satisfaction. “No matter how good the new technologies are, they cannot replace interpersonal relationships or compensate for the inadequate leadership qualities of superiors,” explains Dr. Johanna Renker.

Photo: Leibniz-Institut für Arbeitsforschung (IfADo)