Fundamental study on evaluation of KEIROKA(fatigue-reduction) technology in using UD shovel for removing snow by Musculo-Skeletal Dynamics Simulator

Our purpose in this study is to achieve an independent life and a social involvement for the elderly using KEIROKA (fatigue-reduction) Technology which makes it possible to improve the quality of chores and occupations by removing excessive strain and tiredness. Along the way, various assistant technologies for work and task supports have been suggested. However, they are used for evaluation of short-term effects and their design and assessment in a long-term standpoint are not performed. Therefore, final purpose in this research is to examine the possibility to evaluate KEIROKA(fatigue-reduction) Technology using Musculo-Skeletal Dynamics Simulator. So, experiments were performed to measure movements of subject using a conventional shovel with straight-line hilt and a UD shovel with flexural hilt by using three-dimensional motion analysis system and analyzed the physical strain caused by differences of shovels using Musculo-Skeletal Dynamics Simulator.