Keynoter details how wearable tech and AI enhance the human workforce

Tuesday keynote speaker Olivier Oullier, president of EMOTIV, described how humans can work more productively and safely alongside machines by using wearable devices that monitor brain activity such as stress and attention levels.

These brain-sensing wearables aren’t science fiction, but reality in which data gathered by the wearables are being crunched by algorithms to predict outcomes such as when a forklift operator is at greater risk of an accident, or when management meetings are most productive, Oullier said.

EMOTIV makes what are known as electroencephalography (EEG) wearables. Oullier substituted for EMOTIV CEO Tan Le, who was scheduled to give the keynote but could not attend, and showed how EEG headsets have become smaller and less cumbersome to the point that they now come in an earbud form factor. The technology not only can sense and understand brain activity to adjust workplace processes or workforce decisions, it can serve as a “mind/machine” interface to control machines. As a mind/machine interface, the wearables have allowed disabled people to drive a vehicle, or use a powered exoskeleton to walk, Oullier showed examples in his presentation.

Importantly, Oullier said, it’s the resulting data insights gleaned from these new wearables that bring benefits like safer operation of machines or better work scheduling for enhanced productivity. “There is a wealth of possibilities,” he said, in “finally being able to tailor our work environments” for enhanced safety, wellness and productivity.

Modex 2020 is scheduled to be held March 9-12 at Georgia’s World Congress Center in Atlanta. The tradeshow will showcase the latest manufacturing, distribution and supply chain solutions in the materials handling and logistics industry. Modern’s complete coverage of the show.