ABSTRACT
In conventional research, virtual reality was, primarily used to shorten the time required to transition from product design to production system design. The purpose of more recent research employing virtual reality has primarily been the shortening of time required to transition from production system design into a mass-production phase. The developed conventional systems improved manufacturers’ competitive power with respect to time efficiency, yet the work burden of employees performing tasks associated with conventional virtual reality based systems has not been evaluated to date. As a worker will exhibit various signs of fatigue as a result of unsuitable work posture, systems that have been poorly designed in this respect will result in lower degrees of productivity. As such, the assessment of work burden in the design of a production system should be made a priority in order to minimize worker fatigue. Virtual Reality (VR) is a useful tool in resolving this problem, as VR allows us to obtain data pertaining to biomechanics, which is required for the evaluation of work posture. Results of the work posture evaluation are used to improve the work environment and process conditions, in order to mitigate the aforementioned risks.
