Allison explained that Ford employs advanced motion capture technology, a system similar to that used in animated movies and digital games. This involves human modeling software to design jobs which are less physically stressful for workers. In fact, the company has even gone so far as to create two fully operational digital employees, named Jack and Jill.
Utilizing Jack & Jill, whose images can be displayed onto large monitors, along with a suitable human attired in a full virtual reality body suit, gloves and headset, they can simulate the entire production line process. In fact, as you can see from the pictures, mock frameworks are used, yet the image appears on the screen as an actual vehicle.
Body movement is captured using infrared cameras and the information is then fed through a specially designed computer program and appears as Jack or Jill on the screen. Because of the numerous pick up points on the digitized suit, the levels of strain to each body part can then be electronically calculated. With this calculation, using a formula in line with health and safety standards, they are able to predict acceptable strain levels for any job performed.
Should the levels be unacceptable, say in the case of a part being too heavy in relation to the required reach of the employee, that information can be fed back to the design studio, where they can take appropriate action to correct the issue. Possibly, it is as simple as relocating the part to another position on the vehicle, or maybe, designing the part to weigh less.
As you can imagine, the benefits to the shop floor workers are huge, but then, so are the benefits to Ford. After all, a trained employee who is off work due to over stressing his body is costly and not good for production.
I can appreciate this myself. During my years in the automotive repair industry, I have witnessed several of my colleagues pay the price for operating air powered tools. Many of them are now suffering from carpaltunnel syndrome, and a few have had to have surgical procedures to correct this. Obviously, they were off work for a considerable length of time, and that simply causes problems for everyone involved.
In my opinion, the benefits of being able to preempt this kind of suffering inthe future are immense, and I believe that Ford should be congratulated on its commitment to employee safety and welfare.
So, if you are still considering a career move into automotive production, why not give Ford a try? From what I understand, they'll take good car of you there!
Note: Those interested in applying for these positions can go to www.JobBank.gc.ca and look for advertisement #3641570, or visit a Service Canada office in Peel Region, Halton Region or the Region of Hamilton-Wentworth. The deadline for applications is May 1. The new jobs are to be phased-in at the Oakville operations beginning in late July.
photo:Kevin Corrigan, Ford
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Utilizing Jack & Jill, whose images can be displayed onto large monitors, along with a suitable human attired in a full virtual reality body suit, gloves and headset, they can simulate the entire production line process. In fact, as you can see from the pictures, mock frameworks are used, yet the image appears on the screen as an actual vehicle.
Body movement is captured using infrared cameras and the information is then fed through a specially designed computer program and appears as Jack or Jill on the screen. Because of the numerous pick up points on the digitized suit, the levels of strain to each body part can then be electronically calculated. With this calculation, using a formula in line with health and safety standards, they are able to predict acceptable strain levels for any job performed.
Should the levels be unacceptable, say in the case of a part being too heavy in relation to the required reach of the employee, that information can be fed back to the design studio, where they can take appropriate action to correct the issue. Possibly, it is as simple as relocating the part to another position on the vehicle, or maybe, designing the part to weigh less.
As you can imagine, the benefits to the shop floor workers are huge, but then, so are the benefits to Ford. After all, a trained employee who is off work due to over stressing his body is costly and not good for production.
I can appreciate this myself. During my years in the automotive repair industry, I have witnessed several of my colleagues pay the price for operating air powered tools. Many of them are now suffering from carpaltunnel syndrome, and a few have had to have surgical procedures to correct this. Obviously, they were off work for a considerable length of time, and that simply causes problems for everyone involved.
In my opinion, the benefits of being able to preempt this kind of suffering inthe future are immense, and I believe that Ford should be congratulated on its commitment to employee safety and welfare.
 |
So, if you are still considering a career move into automotive production, why not give Ford a try? From what I understand, they'll take good car of you there!
Note: Those interested in applying for these positions can go to www.JobBank.gc.ca and look for advertisement #3641570, or visit a Service Canada office in Peel Region, Halton Region or the Region of Hamilton-Wentworth. The deadline for applications is May 1. The new jobs are to be phased-in at the Oakville operations beginning in late July.
photo:Kevin Corrigan, Ford