STRAP – System for improving mental and physical health in the workplace.
AI technology in telemedicine
At the DMEA, Fraunhofer IGD is presenting a wireless and contact-free system that becomes a personal health assistant at the screen workstation. As a further development of the CareCam, STRAP sets new standards for health promotion in the office. Developed in close collaboration with industry partner Deep Care GmbH, STRAP uses high-precision sensor technology and AI-based analyzes to continuously record users’ vital data and provide individual recommendations to improve well-being. Scientists will provide insights into the current status of their project at the DMEA from April 9th to 11th, 2024 in Berlin.
Sitting at the computer for long periods of time puts strain on your eyes, back and muscles. The stress level increases, resulting in tension, headaches and back pain. To counteract this, researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Graphical Data Processing IGD developed CareCam – a software that uses image data and artificial intelligence (AI) to warn users when stress levels rise. At the DMEA in Berlin, Fraunhofer IGD is now presenting a further development of the system together with its industrial partner Deep Care GmbH.
Fraunhofer IGD expertise meets sensor technology from Deep Care
“STRAP marks significant progress in the area of corporate health management,” explains Dr.-Ing. Gerald Bieber, head of the project at Fraunhofer IGD. The system combines a variety of sensors in handy hardware to be able to determine a person’s vital data such as pulse, breathing or heart rate variability. Together with the movement and posture data provided by the hardware from Deep Care GmbH, a holistic system is created to improve well-being at computer workstations.
“Fraunhofer IGD is the leading authority in the field of sensor-based pattern recognition using AI methods,” says Lukas Heck, project manager at Deep Care GmbH. The collaboration is of great value for Deep Care, as Fraunhofer IGD’s specialist knowledge and innovative strength have significantly advanced the development of STRAP. The researchers offer comprehensive scientific support to partners from industry, such as IT system integrators in the areas of telemedicine and corporate health management. This ranges from conducting studies to consulting and developing methodological concepts through to practical implementation and market launch.
Focus on data protection in personalized health promotion
In contrast to systems that are based on webcam technology like CareCam, with STRAP Fraunhofer IGD relies on a specialized sensor system that calculates the parameters anonymously using precise distance measurements and motion detection. Information such as facial recognition, skin color, hairstyle or other personal characteristics are not collected. The data remains exclusively with the users and is only stored locally so that a load assessment is possible over a longer period of time.
The system not only monitors the blink rate, but also detects changes in the posture and facial expression of the person in front of the screen. On this basis, STRAP analyzes the stress level and suggests appropriate measures. “If the system detects signs of stress or poor posture, it offers solutions such as adjusting the sitting position, short stretching exercises or meditation,” explains Dr.-Ing. Gerald Bieber.
Flexible system for office and home office
The big advantage over camera-based systems: Vital data and movements are recorded regardless of the lighting situation at the workplace or the appearance of the user. The structure of the handy system is simple, which makes the solution mobile. It can be used both as part of corporate health management in the office and by users in the home office as work support, and perhaps later as a telemedicine application.
By using artificial intelligence, the system learns to compensate for disturbances and tailor suggestions for exercise breaks or other measures to the user. The digital assistant only suggests interventions if a person stays in the same awkward posture at the PC for a long time or if the vital signs suggest a dangerous level of stress.
The STRAP project is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection.
Additional information:
—
Event notice:
Researchers from Fraunhofer IGD will also be presenting STRAP and other telemedicine solutions to improve patient care as part of a lecture session at the DMEA.
This will take place on Tuesday, April 9th, from 10:25 a.m. to 10:35 a.m. in the program area _HUB 1, Hall 1.2.
—
Fraunhofer IGD on DMEA
April 9th to 11th, 2024
Fraunhofer joint stand: Hall 2.2, Stand D-108
About Fraunhofer IGD:
The Fraunhofer Institute for Graphical Data Processing IGD has been setting standards in visual computing, image- and model-based computer science, for over 30 years. Fraunhofer IGD’s approximately 210 employees support companies and institutions in the automotive, health and care, bioeconomy and infrastructure, software and IT industries, maritime industries, and cultural and creative industries. Fraunhofer IGD offers concrete technological solutions and helps with strategic development. The researchers carry out data analysis, design software and hardware systems, develop prototypes and realize and implement visual-interactive systems. The focus is on human-machine interaction, virtual and augmented reality, artificial intelligence, interactive simulation, modeling as well as 3D printing and 3D scanning. Fraunhofer IGD has been conducting cutting-edge research since 1987 and supports social and economic change with application-oriented solutions at its three locations in Darmstadt, Rostock and Kiel. Its products gain international relevance through collaboration with the Austrian sister institute in Graz and Klagenfurt as well as participation in a wide range of EU projects.
Contact
Fraunhofer Institute for Graphical Data Processing IGD
Daniela Welling
Fraunhoferstraße 5
64283 Darmstadt
+49 6151 155-146