Presentation
Ergonomic Evaluation of Cobot-Assisted Seeding: Reducing Biomechanical Strain in Agricultural Tasks
SessionPoster Session 2
DescriptionRepetitive seeding tasks in agriculture require frequent bending, twisting, and prolonged stooping, placing workers at high risk of developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). This study evaluated the ergonomic benefits of cobot-assisted seeding compared to manual methods in a controlled lab setting. Ten participants completed seeding tasks using both traditional manual stooping and cobot-supported setups, where a collaborative robot presented seed containers at user-optimized heights. Full-body motion data were captured via Xsens to analyze segment velocities, accelerations, and joint angles across spinal regions. Results showed that cobot assistance significantly reduced segment velocity in the pelvis and lower spine (e.g., pelvis x-axis: 6.9 to 4.8 cm/s, p < 0.001), indicating lower spinal load. Acceleration reductions were less consistent, though improvements were noted at key joints. Notably, lateral bending increased under robot-assisted conditions, but task duration decreased by 59%, suggesting reduced cumulative strain. These findings demonstrate that collaborative robots can meaningfully reduce biomechanical demands in seeding, promoting safer work practices. The study contributes to ergonomic design in human-robot collaboration and supports future implementation of cobots in labor-intensive agricultural settings.
Event Type
Poster
TimeWednesday, October 15th5:30pm - 6:30pm CDT
LocationRiverside East