In a soft actuator, a soft actuator assembly having the soft actuator, and a wearable robot having the soft actuator or the soft actuator assembly, the soft actuator includes a first spring bundle, a first conductive pad and a second conductive pad. The first spring bundle has a plurality of fine wires, and is configured to be capable of being changed between a contraction state and a relaxation state according to a change of temperature. The first conductive pad has a first connector electrically connected to a first end of the first spring bundle. The second conductive pad has a second connector electrically connected to a second end of the first spring bundle. The first connector is fixed between the first conductive pad and the first spring bundle, and the second connector is fixed between the second conductive pad and the first spring bundle.

Ergonomic refraction station and procedure of use consists of a phoropter helmet, chair, work table, monitor and electronic circuit, which seeks to perform a refraction test in the conditions most similar to the usual work environment of the patient, for this it consists of a lightweight phoropter helmet, which adjusts to the size of the user, made of transparent material to allow contact with its surroundings and execute the usual movements of head, neck, eyes and working distance, parameters that are captured by optical, distance and inclination sensors, located on the phoropter helmet or on the flexible and adjustable table with “swan neck” arms.

A fatigue estimation system that includes: an information output device (imaging device) that outputs information (images) regarding the locations of the body parts of a subject; and an estimation device that estimates a posture of the subject based on the information output by the information output device, and estimates the fatigue level of the subject based on the posture estimated and the duration of the posture estimated.

The invention in at least one embodiment includes a system and method for detecting and evaluating an adaptive physiological strain index (aPSI) of an individual with a processor and in a further embodiment taking into account the fitness, age and clothing of the individual based upon physiology. The invention in at least one embodiment includes a system and method to calculate the aPSI using physiological measures. In at least one embodiment, the method obtains an individual's skin temperature and heart rate in order to calculate the individual's aPSI.

A machining center NC operation panel with a body temperature management function that makes a physical condition determination in accordance with body temperature measurement of an operator, can restrict the start of work at time of a determination that the physical condition is inappropriate, and also is capable of body temperature management of a worker and the like at all times, includes a visible region image camera and an infrared ray detection camera respectively with a visible light condensing lens, and an infrared ray condensing lens being mounted exposed on the front face of the operation panel. The machining center NC operation panel has a storage unit having an operator list created for each operator pre-registered as a machine tool user, a facial image file, and a body temperature management file storing body temperature databases of machine tool users and body temperature databases of body temperature management users. A control unit includes: a facial authentication processing unit that compares facial image data of an operator obtained from the visible region image camera with a facial image data group in the facial image file, searches for a relevant person, and identifies the operator; a work information processing unit that calls a work information allocated to the identified operator from the operator list, and, on the basis of the work information, causes a display section of the operation panel to display allowed work items of the operator such that the allowed work items can be selected and executed; and a body temperature acquisition processing unit that acquires a body temperature measurement value of the operator from face surface temperature data obtained by the infrared ray detection camera, causes the display section to display the body temperature measurement value, also assesses whether or not the operator has a fever on the basis of the body temperature measurement value, outputs a signal representing the result of the assessment to the work information processing unit, and simultaneously causes the display section to display an assessment screen. The work information processing unit has a function by which upon receiving a signal representing an assessment that the operator who is a machine tool user is in a fever condition from the body temperature acquisition processing unit in the work management mode, the display section is caused to lock an operation screen, and prohibit continuation of operation of the start of work.

Systems and methods to determine a risk factor related to dehydration and thermal stress of a subject are disclosed. Exemplary implementations may: generate output signals, by one or more sensors worn on a body of a subject, conveying information related to one or more of location of the subject, motion of the subject, temperature of the subject, cardiovascular parameters of the subject; store information related to the subject; obtain the output signals; determine in an ongoing manner, from the output signals, values of a water loss metric that correlates with estimated percentage of bodyweight of the subject lost in water; obtain heat index information for a contextual environment surrounding the subject; determine in an ongoing manner, from the output signals, values of an exertion metric that correlates with exertion of the subject due to work; and determine in an ongoing manner values for an aggregated risk factor of the subject.

Systems and methods for monitoring acute:chronic workload ratio (ACWR) are described. An indicator of workload is received from a device worn or carried by a user. An acute workload is determined for the user based on the received indicator of workload over a first period of time. A chronic workload is determined for the user based on the received indicator of workload over a second period of time, where the first period of time is shorter than the second period of time. A current ACWR is determined for the user based on the acute workload and the chronic workload.

A monitoring system for monitoring a biological subject including a monitoring device having a housing configured to be attached to or supported by an ear of the subject in use, one or more sensors, the one or more sensors including a photoplethysmogram (PPG) sensor provided in the housing and configured to measure attributes of blood flow within the ear, and a monitoring device processor configured to acquire sensors signals from the one or more sensors and generate sensor data at least partially in accordance with signals from the one or more sensors. A transmitter is provided that transmit the sensor data with one or more processing systems receiving the sensor data, analyzing the sensor data and generating a health state indicator indicative of a health state of the subject.

The present disclosure is directed to a method of collecting and using data obtained from an intelligent automated chair to optimize workflow and increase a user or group's health and productivity. Sensors in the intelligent automated chair can include motion, touch, heart rate, weight, presence, sound, keystroke, etc. In addition, posture, health, and productivity data are collected and compared over periods of time along with a learning algorithm to recommend specific operating models to increase a user or group's overall posture, health, and productivity. The methods and systems are configured to recommend action steps based on usage that can include a chair training program, nutritional training program, mental health training, bonus consideration, rewards program, advancement consideration, etc. Furthermore, the metrics and recommendations can assist with addressing issues associated with absenteeism and presenteeism. Lastly, data collected can be used to create forecasting models based on productivity and health cost.

An image forming apparatus for forming an image on paper includes a body surface temperature measuring sensor, a user interface, a communication interface, and a controller. The body surface temperature measuring sensor measures the body surface temperature of the operator in a non-contact manner. The user interface presents a message to the operator. The communication interface transmits a message to the administrator who manages the image forming apparatus. When access to the surface or the inside of the image forming apparatus is required and the body surface temperature of the operator is equal to or higher than a threshold temperature, the controller transmits a message requesting to touch the surface or the inside of the image forming apparatus to the administrator by the communication interface and presents a message requesting not to touch the image forming apparatus to the operator by the user interface.