Please see:

Industry 4.0, Innovation and Design. A new approach for ergonomic analysis in manufacturing system

By: Elena Laudante

Industry 4.0 is expected to be implemented on the basis of cooperating smart (intelligent) systems. This shifts the attention to cognitive engineering and ergonomics and to social engineering and ergonomics. The interoperation with the above systems will move from the physical and syntactic realms to the semantic, pragmatic and apobetic realms.

Applied ergonomics combined with safety aspects is an important aspect in Industry 4.0. As long as Human-Robot/Machine Collaboration is one part in Industry 4.0 research there is the need for research in this specific field.

There are several new and emerging technologies and solutions for collaborative robotics - but laws and normatives in various countries are not ready for these new technologies. Further, it depends a lot on the special situation (e.g. a collaborative robot with a cutting tool on the gripper remains unsafe and needs for other safety solutions)

Below you can find a work on safety in human-robot collaboration published and presented on a conference:

http://ieomsociety.org/ieom2018/papers/108.pdf

ROJAS, R.; RAUCH, E.; DALLASEGA, P.; MATT, D.T.: Safe Human-Machine Centered Design of an Assembly Station in a Learning Factory Environment. IEOM 2018 8th International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, Dubai, March 6-8, 2018, accepted paper. Scopus indexed. (Best track award)

Please see:

Advanced Industrial Tools of Ergonomics Based on Industry 4.0 ConceptMartinaGašováaMartinGašobAndrejŠtefánikb

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2017.06.038

Dear Kiran K John,

I suggest also to read about the Japanese "Society 5.0",

Applied ergonomics is the application of various physiological, engineering, psychological factors which contribute physiological & psychological fatigue of man , Man-machine interface all. which directly benifit the industry for safety health & productivity at shop floor. Applied ergonomics is published by butterworth from uk, please read it you will see articals its importance. PCG,CLI

In view of the proliferation of automation in industry (Industry 4.0), transportation (Intelligent Transportation) and daily life (Wearable and Ubiquitous Computing), there is a pressing need to design technology that is tailored to the human user. Human-system integration is key to enhancing human performance, safety, security and well-being. Applied ergonomics seeks to address these issues, by drawing on knowledge and methods from engineering, physiology, psychology, neuroscience and design to achieve optimal interactions between humans and intelligent systems.

yes Applied ergonomics is nothing but the application of engineering, physiological & psychological methods at shop floor to minimize human suffering. keep people healthy, fit, productive. regards

Technological development has a decisive influence on the evolution of the workload, increasing the mental load more and more.

Applied ergonomics is very important to study the capacities and abilities of people in this type of work, with the aim of designing the work situation so that it is adequate to the psychophysiological capacities and needs of the human being; increase work efficiency, effectiveness and productivity.