For decades, the use of artificial intelligence and nanotechnology incorporated in clothes has been applied, with the purpose of knowing the physical state and physiological characteristics of individuals to make diagnoses of the user's state of health, through the information collected by sensors integrated into the clothes. This cutting-edge technology, which has a long history in sectors such as the military, sports and security, has been incorporated into the world of construction as a result of the process of digital transformation and the commitment to innovation that the industry is experiencing.

In this sense, Fundación Laboral de la Construcción has joined this pioneering tendency, participating as a partner in an innovative project that incorporates these "intelligent" textiles to the prevention of occupational risks in construction. "Bionic. Body Information ON an Intelligent Chip" is an initiative belonging to the European Union's Horizon 2020 programme, which promotes the active ageing of the workforce through the development of personalised body sensors placed on the professional's clothing. In addition, it offers each user a medical preventive strategy, using a differentiated learning platform, which allows the worker to receive training according to their workplace, needs and physical abilities.

Pre-processed data directly at the source

Bionic's innovation is based on the pre-processing of raw data directly at the source (i.e. in body sensors or Body Sensor Networks -BSN-), avoiding that all the information collected is lost, which also makes it possible to analyse the information in real time.

Another new feature introduced by the project in relation to artificial intelligence applied to prevention is the use of biomechanical models, based on predictive algorithms, which perform an ergonomic assessment of the risk of physical stress of the worker/user of the tool, in addition to making an interpretation of their state of health and safety, based on the analysis of the parameters collected: posture, loads, times and physiological state (heart rate, body temperature, etc.). As a result, the Bionic system can carry out an efficient, current, in situ and long-term evaluation of the problems faced by each professional and the possibility of immediate improvement, correcting burdens, bad postures or risk situations that are a damage to their safety and musculoskeletal health.

The result of the analysis of a multidisciplinary team

The project is the result of a process of analysis carried out by a multidisciplinary European consortium made up of doctors, engineers, biomechanics, experts in artificial intelligence and ICT, and representatives of construction and industry, sectors in which musculoskeletal disorders predominate and which represent the end users of the tool. The German Artificial Intelligence Research Centre (DFKI) - with experience in projects that combine risk prevention with the most advanced technologies, such as "Easy-Imp" - is the coordinator of this initiative, which started last January and will last for 36 months, in which Fundación Laboral will provide  practical knowledge in the sector and in the field of occupational risk prevention.

In addition, two other Spanish organisations, Acciona and the Valencia Biomechanics Institute (IBV), as well as seven entities from Germany, Greece and the Netherlands, are also taking part, among which Rolls-Royce Power Systems AG, the division of the automobile firm, which offers its experience in digitalisation, electrification and clean motor systems, and contributes case studies on prevention of accidents by industry to the project.

In fact, this week, on 3 and 4 June, the partners met for the third time at Acciona's facilities and a discussion group was held at the headquarters of Fundación Laboral de la Construcción, with construction workers, professionals in occupational risk prevention and middle management, with the aim of analysing the usability of Bionic's future sensor systems, as well as their limitations, characteristics, needs and possible incompatibilities, among other issues.

Holistic approach to risk evaluation and early warnings

Health and Safety at work has gone from applying old corset approaches to more modern and humanistic visions that allow this discipline to be approached from a holistic approach in which, nowadays, latent risks, possible illnesses, injuries and health problems are contemplated, as well as the physical and mental state of health of the worker.

This perspective, added to the gradual ageing of the population and the prolongation of working life, which especially affects the countries of the European environment, has led to new technologies being incorporated into the world of prevention, with the aim of facilitating and speeding up the processes of risk assessment and early warning for professionals