BARCODInG, LABELLInG & PACkAGInG
HUmAn DIGITAL TWIn: S
THE DIGITAL COUnTERPART TO THE HUmAn WORkER by axel schmidt, senior communications manager, proglove
everal organisations are familiar with making use of Digital Twin modelling to improve operations. This digitised model
typically enables firms to map the physical characteristics of a production environment as well as its processes. But, this mapping process has limitations, because it only includes data from machines and not from humans, which are crucial too. Alongside this, human employees will
continue to play an important role in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, also known as Industry 4.0. The challenge, however, lies in combining data from machines with that of the people working in a factory and evaluating it in real time. Which is precisely where the concept of the Human Digital Twin comes in. It takes this concept one step further and improves it. But, how exactly, does it achieve this?
Humans are crucial in enabling automation ‘Artificial Intelligence (AI)’ and ‘Digital Twin’ are buzzwords often associated with Industry 4.0. And, one controversial view is that within the smart factory model, robots will take over the role of humans in order to execute work and reduce failures and errors. But, this idea of full automation is neither possible today, nor in the near future – because it won't work without humans. Even technology pioneers like Amazon's Scott Anderson see it that way. In his view, technology is still at least 10 years away from being able to fully automate a single order picked by a worker in the warehouse. The effects of the COVID-19 crisis, in particular,
amplify this sentiment too and show that humans are indispensable. Logistics and supply chains need the intervention of human dexterity, spontaneity and the ability to work directly with others. These skills distinguish humans from
robots. Evidence of this is provided, for example, by U.S. retail giant Walmart; which ended its collaboration with a robotics company during the pandemic, after it became apparent that Walmart employees could come up with similar results. In contrast, technologies like AI, can, of course,
support the role of humans and free up time for people to concentrate on more important tasks. But, in order for organisations and employees to benefit from the freedoms that AI can bring, without complications, certain preconditions must be put in place to enable the human-machine relationship to thrive. This will enable greater collaboration between people and machines and protect the workforce.
Wearables create tHe basis for tHe Human Digital tWin When improving productivity, often a goal is to support people with technology that lets them to concentrate better on core tasks. For this to succeed, and for humans to be integrated effectively into Industry 4.0, they need the appropriate equipment though. Wearables, such as smart glove barcode
scanners from ProGlove, connect humans to the Internet of Things (IoT) and provide the interface for human-machine collaboration. However, it is not only the connection of the wearables to various systems that is crucial; but also the use of a corresponding data management platform, that combines the information from machines and employees, which can then be appropriately evaluated and modelled to create a Human Digital Twin.
Human Digital tWin in supply cHain anD proDuction environments Specifically, within production and logistics scenarios, the Human Digital Twin models the human worker in their environment. And, not just
12 SEPTEmBER 2021 | FACTORY&HAnDLInGSOLUTIOnS
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