Operator of the Future
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | CHALMERS TEKNISKA HÖGSKOLA AKTIEBOLAG - Institutionen för produkt- och produktionsutveckling |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 10 000 000 |
| Project duration | August 2012 - December 2014 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | Challenge-driven innovation - Phase 2 Collaboration |
Purpose and goal
The Operator of the Future has aimed at developing information and communication tools for the operators of the future in an industrial context. The project goal has been to create a new kind of ´toolbox´ that enhances the operators´ competence, flexibility and ability to deal with problems. The toolbox should be generic and suitable in different kind of industries.
Expected results and effects
The project has investigated and analyzed operator work tasks. The user needs were translated into conceptual tools e.g. adaptive work instructions, dynamic check lists and interactive logbook. To test the tools in real life situations some physical prototypes were developed. Test of the prototypes were performed at a number of the participating user companies, with promising results. Furthermore, nine theoretical ´concepts´ were developed, as means to illustrate how the toolbox can be combined to fit nine different, but still general, operator roles.
Planned approach and implementation
The project was characterized by close and continuous collaboration between industry and academia. Extensive work was put into the initial investigation of operators´ tasks, work situation and needs, at the participating companies. Systematic and thorough analyses were then made to translate the needs into operator centered solutions. The solutions were demonstrated in theoretical concepts as well as physical prototypes. The prototypes were tested in lab environment as well as at the user companies and resulted in verification of benefits of several solutions.