Cognitive automation in assembly systems for mass customization

Paper in proceeding, 2011

Manufacturing industry is struggling with high demands on mass customization, shortened product life cycles, and consequences of globalized production. Further, new products must address sustainability factors, which adds to the complexity of production and final assembly systems. Product developers as well as assembly operators must deal with emerging information and communication needs. This will require new cognitive ergonomic design solutions regarding presentation and communication of information to and from operators in final assembly. This paper describes a case study in a manual assembly context, within the Swedish automotive industry. The aim was to examine how information flows affects operators working in mixed-model assembly systems. Information and communication flows were mapped and task allocation assessments, including measuring and analysis of cognitive levels of automation, were made. Results indicate a need to increase cognitive automation, to better support assembly operators. This can be accomplished through task-based information, presented when and where the operator needs it. In this case solved by presenting qualitative information on a mobile communication device. The proposed solution will reduce perceived complexity, adding to the flexibility of final assembly in future assembly systems mass customized.