https://www.nedo.go.jp/news/press/AA5_101606.html

In order to address labor shortages in Japan, where the working-age population is declining more rapidly than anywhere else in the world, the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) has developed a digital twin that can sustainably improve productivity and reduce the burden on people.

The digital twin reflects in a virtual space the conditions observed in the real world of a person working in the same environment, and analyzes in real time body movements, the physical load of the worker and safety conditions. A cyber-physical system utilizing this technology allows humans and robots to cooperate in safe and efficient production. In a demonstration test of parts supply work at a simulated production plant, in cooperation with Toyota Motor Corporation, it was confirmed that productivity was improved by up to 15% and the human workload was reduced by approximately 10% compared to a conventional system.

In the future, costs will be reduced by simplifying the sensor system, improving the work capacity of the cooperative robots, and certify them to safety standards.