Mobile work machines have undergone various technical advancements in recent years to increase efficiency and safety at work.
In agricultural and construction machinery, the human factor is becoming even more central to human-machine communication. This means that the industry must increasingly rethink conventional operating concepts: “The construction site of the future is a more connected place, and so-called gamification will play an important role. Demographic changes and consumer preferences are pushing our industry into areas that were previously unknown or underutilised in the machine sector,” explains Vijayshekhar Nerva, head of Innovation and Acceleration at Doosan Bobcat EMEA.
Loader controlled by smartphone
A clear example of this is the remote control via smartphone developed by Bobcat. This allows the operator to remotely control their compact loader within seconds without worrying about additional devices. Using a smartphone, the machine can be sent into a dusty or potentially unsafe environment to complete its tasks while the operator stays at a safe distance. The remote control communicates with the customer’s iOS device via a Wi-Fi signal and operates within a range of up to 100 metres.
Operation via touch
The controls in the driver’s cabin are also evolving. As land and construction machinery become more complex, touchscreens are increasingly being used in the off-road sector. They allow a variety of information to be called up and displayed in a targeted manner. With special die-cast housings and robust adhesive technologies, touchscreens can also withstand the inevitable shocks and vibrations in this area. The integrated PCAP touch provides optimal conditions for comfortable control of machine functions. PCAP stands for “Projected Capacitive Touch”. This technology turns a window or glass surface into a touch-sensitive interface, allowing users to interact as they are accustomed to from a tablet or smartphone with a touchscreen.
Communication via vibration
Since the machine operator’s visual and auditory senses are already heavily demanded in daily work, the company elobau has developed a vibration module for joysticks. With certain vibration patterns, high-quality tactile feedback can be generated, making human-machine communication more efficient. The module’s vibration motor is controlled by an electronics module via the CAN bus. Manufacturers can define different parameters such as intensity, duration or number of vibrations via the CAN protocol. These parameters create individual, application-adapted and above all intuitive vibration effects. Thus, the information content to be transported can be significantly increased compared to simple punctual knocking signals.
Adaptive concept
With the multitude of functions that need to be operated in today’s work machines, the control console can quickly become cluttered. The joint project aISA (adaptive interface systems in tractors) has presented itself as a promising solution. An adaptive armrest has been developed that only provides the functions of the attachment that is in actual use. Through the Isobus, the intelligent operating armrest can adaptively adjust to any attachment as soon as it is coupled. It provides the user with an optimal and ergonomic interface in terms of position, availability, visualisation and operating mode. This includes, for example, a joystick that can assume four different positions depending on the required function (for example, it is retracted when its function is not needed). Other controls are provided via a rotary control unit. Each position adjusts depending on the attached work equipment and presents only the functions that are currently necessary.
Automated load management
When working with construction and agricultural machinery, there are typically phases of both very high and relatively low stress. “Various studies have shown that people’s well-being is highest when there is a medium level of stress,” says Professor Marcus Geimer from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). Overloading leads to the driver not being able to concentrate enough on the important aspects, overlooking things and becoming more prone to making errors. On the other hand, underutilisation – for example through complete automation – is also a problem. The boredom that arises leads to fatigue and loss of concentration.
As part of the “Driver’s Cab 4.0” research project, KIT is therefore developing an “adaptable Human Machine Interface” for agricultural machinery. It is capable of recognising drivers’ current stress levels via eyetracking. Research is also being conducted on a fitness bracelet that uses light signals to determine the pulse and thus measure the level of stress. If the system detects an overload, all unimportant information is faded out. In situations of underutilisation, additional tasks should be offered to the driver. “Meaningful additional tasks for phases of low stress come from accounting, personnel or material management, and the private task field,” says Patrick Lehr from the Institute of Mobile Work Machines at the Institute of Vehicle System Technology at KIT. In the future, the recommended tasks will be projected into the driver’s field of vision via an augmented reality-based interface, to avoid overloading the cabin with controls.
