SafetyTech News | Issue 042

Welcome to SafetyTech News Issue 042 bringing you the latest news from the intersection where safety and technology meet at the cutting edge; I'm your ed. Cam Stevens - let's get started.

A few words on Humanoid Robots

The tech world is heavily investing in the development of humanoid robots; machines designed to resemble the human body in shape and, often, in function. They typically have a torso, head, two arms, and two legs. While they might not have the same internal organs or biological systems as humans, they are equipped with advanced technology to mimic human movements and behaviours.

The attraction to humanoid robots is a complex interplay of psychological, social, and technological factors.

Psychological Factors

• Anthropomorphism: Humans have a strong tendency to attribute human-like qualities to non-human entities. This can create a sense of connection and empathy.
• Unconditional positive regard: Humanoid robots often exhibit patience, attentiveness, and lack of judgment, qualities that many people find appealing.
• Novelty: The novelty of interacting with a humanoid robot can be exciting and stimulating; and equally scary given media hype and sci-fi movies.

Social Factors

• Companionship: For people who may feel isolated or lonely, a humanoid robot can provide a sense of companionship.
• Emotional support: Some robots are programmed to provide emotional support, which can be comforting.
• Idealisation: Humans often project their ideal qualities onto others. Humanoid robots can be seen as a blank slate to which these ideals can be attributed.

Technological Factors

• Physical appearance: The human-like appearance can be visually appealing; or crazy frightening pending your point of view!
• Advanced capabilities: As technology improves, humanoid robots become more capable, which can increase their utility - particularly with degrees of freedom at joints like a shoulder joint.

Here's a few humanoid robots in various stages of testing...

Tesla's Optimus bot

Digit from Agility Robotics is being tested at Amazon facilities

Apollo from Apptronik is being trialled at Mercedes Benz

Boston Dynamics' latest bot is scheduled to be tested with Hyandai

And the latest of the humanoids to hit the airwaves is Figure 02 which leverages speech interaction using OpenAI's LLM and chat engines - it's super impressive.

BMW is testing the robots in their factories with what appears to be good results -

so; what do you think? Will humanoid robots become a reality in workplaces in the near future? What are the opportunities and risks? An interesting space... keep your radio tuned to the humanoid robots channel and let's see how this plays out in the coming years.

Moving on...

AI in the workplace: Balancing productivity and psychosocial risks

“It is important that businesses scrutinise psychosocial risks when deploying AI tools to ensure the deployment of technologies that serve both the wellbeing and productivity of workers.”

Emmanuelle Walkowiak explores the psychosocial risks of AI at work in this article published by the Australian Institute of Health & Safety

Worker exposure to virtual and augmented reality and metaverse technologies: How much do we know?

I was fortunate enough to be interviewed to contribute to this publication and it's great to see it finally released - Download it here

What makes a good presentation?

We all use PowerPoint - this episode of The Safety of Work podcast explores to topic and provides tips and tricks for how to level up your PPT game.

Hexagon announces Digital Factory solutions

Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence - Americas division has launched its new digitalisation solution, Digital Factory, designed to help manufacturers build highly accurate digital replicas of their factories. It enables manufacturers to optimise their floor plans and quickly pivot production lines today, and operate smarter and more sustainable future factories with open interfaces that connect digital twins of shopfloor assets.

Learn more about he use cases of the Hexagon digital factory here:

Video Interview: Enhancing Workplace Safety and Business Performance: AI and Computer Vision in MSD Prevention

Maurizio Pilu from Safetytech Accelerator interviews Diwakar Ganesan from TuMeke Ergonomics about the use of computer vision for MSD risk management in the latest instalment of the SafetyTech Accelerator Insight Series.

And now for something completely different...

A Curious Compendium of 'Adaptive' Research

This is not specifically #safetytech but fits in under the #safetyinnovation umbrella - new view safety and all its various guises. Ben Hutchinson has pulled together a compilation of all of the researfch around safety II, safety differently, HOP, HRO etc. Very complementary to those embarking on a safety tech journey and a great central resource.

Moving on...

LifeBooster | Full-Shift Ergonomics: Capturing Complete Data for Safer Workplaces

Canadian wearable technology pioneers LifeBooster have recently published a blog on their website regarding full-shift data capture using wearables. Check it out here:

Webinar | Get Ahead of the Curve: Must Have Safety AI Tools for 2025

The team at Protex AI have teamed up with Peter Thomas MSc representing Intuety and Tomer G. from ybot to talk about AI tools you should have on your radar for 2025. Learn more and sign up here:

Evotix Webinars

Evotix have several webinars coming up in August:

• Revitalise Your EHS Training: Embrace Learning That Drives Real Change - Part 1 | 15 August
• Revitalise Your EHS Training: Embrace Learning That Drives Real Change - Part 2 | 21 August
• Power to Your People: Engaging Frontline Teams in Hazard Reporting | 28 August

Sign up here

Before we go... here's a few things I've been up to recently.

1) I've had robotic assisted surgery on my right hip - I first had plain film x-rays, 3Tesla MRI and low dosage CT scans which were then modelled into a 3D representation of my hip known as a Stryker HipMap. The 3D model provided the surgeon with a detailed analysis of my movement patterns and pathologies of the hip joint and recommended a specific surgical pathway to follow. My foot was fitted with a special boot that rotated my hip into the specific angle required for surgery and the surgeon was provided real-time imaging against the model to conduct precision surgery. Pretty cool! I'm a bit banged up at the moment typing from bed but will be up and again soon enough.

2) This week I was recognised for my contribution to the international standards on AI management systems with the recent publication of AS ISO/IEC 42001, Information technology - Artificial intelligence - Management system. If you are seeking guidance on integrating AI into your WHS management systems you know where to find me.

3) Big XR News - I participated in a video podcast a few weeks back on the XR Today Big XR News show talking about the decline of VR headsets, the release of the Apple Vision Pro in Australia as well as Samsung's latest XR headset. We mostly talk about the ecosystem approach to spatial computing and user experience. Check it out here:

4) Lastly - am IOSH podcast interview I did at the The Health & Safety Event in Birmingham earlier this year has just launched - we talk about data, technology and innovation for workplace health and safety. Check it out here:

Okay so that's it for this issue - see you soon! But for now...

Be Safe and Stay Curious.

'Cam