Better room quality for industrial workplaces

In the Optima Pro project - short for "Optimized Performance in Temperature, Illumination, Movement, Acoustics and Air Quality @ Production Workplaces" - researchers are not only recording physical measurement data for the first time, but also systematically combining it with the subjective perception of employees. For example, they rate how pleasant they find the temperature, light or background noise. This approach allows for a holistic assessment that takes both objective environmental factors and individual needs into account. "The environmental conditions on a factory floor are very changeable. Machines are switched on or off, doors open for a delivery and let in cold air, or ovens are started up, next to which it can get very hot," explains Sabine Giglmeier, Head of Innovation Management at Fraunhofer IBP.

DressMan with 30 sensors

The researchers are using an advanced measuring system to collect the data: DressMan360°. Originally designed for thermal comfort in vehicle cabins, the system uses around 30 sensors, microphones and cameras to measure various parameters such as temperature, air, acoustics and lighting conditions. The sensors can be used on a manikin or directly on people. The measurements are supplemented by a digital survey system that employees can use to document their perceptions. Particle and pollutant levels can also be integrated into the analysis in future.

This combination of technical sensor technology and human feedback makes it possible to better understand interactions. For example, a warmer light color can make the temperature appear warmer. Or the steady noise of a ventilation system is perceived as less disturbing than sudden individual noises. This opens up a new opportunity for companies to analyze and improve workplaces in production. Optima Pro and DressMan360° provide the data-based foundation for this. "High room quality, whether in production or in the office, reduces the strain on employees and ultimately also reduces the number of sick days," says Giglmeier. This could also make physically demanding jobs in industry more attractive again.

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Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP, www.ibp.fraunhofer.de