Validation of Kinect-RULA system for workstations assessment

Chai, Fong Ling (2017) Validation of Kinect-RULA system for workstations assessment. Project Report. Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Melaka, Malaysia. (Submitted)

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Abstract

Rapid upper body assessment (RULA) is one of the postural assessment tools in identifying awkward posture and is suitable to use in assessing the posture of upper body. Issues regarding manual assessment of RULA are time-consuming, potential errors in calculation of scores and low sensitivity due to naked eye observation. This study of newly developed system (Kinect-RULA) under short term PJP/2015/FKP(2D)/S01393 has the primary purpose to improve the current manual assessment method of RULA. Microsoft Kinect Xbox sensor was integrated with traditional RULA assessment system to capture RULA scores. There are three phases involved in comparing the results between the manual and Kinect-RULA assessments. First phase is comparing the RULA score of manual assessment for all nine workstations carried out by ten novice evaluators with Kinect-RULA assessment. Second phase involves comparison between manual assessments conducted by five experts in ergonomics field with the RULA scores of Kinect-RULA system for two selected workstations. In the third phase, experts were interviewed to get their opinion on the Kinect-RULA system. In comparing the results of RULA score between both assessment methods, descriptive, statistical and content analyses were conducted. T-test for phase one shows there is no difference between the mean scores; phase two demonstrates there is statistical difference in t-test result for mean RULA score comparison. In phase three, experts gave feedback and opinions when comparing between manual and Kinect-RULA assessment methods. Few limitations of the newly developed system were identified, for example, limited detection of twisting and slight bending of body parts, obstruction that influences the assessment process, etc. All in all, the newly developed system can be used in assessing the working postures at workstations in laboratories and industries. However, the RULA scores generated from the Kinect-RULA system still require inputs and monitoring from experts.

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