Use of Lean Management Methods based on Eye-Tracking Information to make User Interfaces in Production more Human-centered

Abstract

Manufacturing Execution Systems are a state-of-the-art technology in industrial companies. Being a core enabler during Industry 4.0, these software solutions are still growing. This is underlined by companies like SAP, that has launched a new cloud-based module for manufacturing execution, even though they already have been well positioned in this market. Due to the amount of opportunities given to interact more with operators via user interfaces, many disciplines use this format for bringing in their information. Information overload for the worker could be the consequence. This paper evaluates the idea of using the results given from tracking the worker’s eye movement to apply classical Lean Management methods for layout optimization, such as 5S. In order to deal with the risk of information overload, the theoretical background of Eye-Tracking and Lean Management are explained. In this paper, the idea as well as its proof of concept is described in the Analysis part. In detail, the resulting Heatmap from worker’s gaze point will be compared with a Spaghetti Diagram and its information for the 5S approach. Thus, further research and suggestions for an experimental design to evaluate the influence of those potential optimizations on the cognitive ergonomics of the operators are discussed.