Wearable technology helps to improve working conditions in agriculture
Wearable technology helps to improve working conditions in ... News-Medical.Net
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The AgWearCare Project: Using Wearables to Support Agricultural Tasks and Prevent Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders
The AgWearCare project is a groundbreaking initiative that leverages wearables to collect and digitalize data, with the aim of supporting agricultural tasks and preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders. By analyzing the data collected, the project’s team can identify tasks that may negatively impact worker health when performed excessively, as well as determine which parcels of land exhibit higher productivity levels. As a result of their research, the team has submitted a patent.
The Importance of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The AgWearCare project aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations. These goals include:
- Goal 1: No Poverty
- Goal 2: Zero Hunger
- Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
- Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- Goal 15: Life on Land
The AgWearCare project contributes to these goals by improving the health and well-being of agricultural workers, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and enhancing productivity in the sector.
The Challenges in Agricultural Activities
Despite advancements in technology and digitalization in the agricultural industry, many tasks still require manual labor. The International Labour Organization identifies “unnatural body position or prolonged static postures and repetitive work” as common hazards in agriculture. Additionally, fatigue and difficult terrain increase the risk of accidents. However, what if technology could help protect farmers from physically demanding tasks? What if farmers could analyze their crops using data collected during regular tasks?
The Solution: Monitoring Workers’ Health and Crop Status
The Institute for Systems and Computer Engineering, Technology and Science (INESC TEC) has developed a solution that addresses these challenges. Their AgWearCare project focuses on two key dimensions: “well-being” and “productivity.” By collecting data from INESC TEC’s proprietary sensors, the project aims to develop a farmers’ monitoring system that supports occupational health, crop management, and human resource management. The project conducted tests with workers involved in vineyards, olive trees, and kiwifruit cultivation.
Data Collection and Real-Time Analysis
Farmers participating in the project wore wearables that collected data during their tasks. This data was later analyzed and used to support decision-making processes. The system now integrates data processing, allowing for near real-time calculation of metrics.
“By measuring the workers’ geolocated metrics, we can understand which areas of the field require greater or lesser efforts from the worker – which, in itself, may also indicate a greater or lesser density of any given crop.”
– Duarte Dias, INESC TEC researcher
Improving Worker Health and Crop Management
The data collected through this innovative monitoring system enables researchers to determine the state of the crop by analyzing the farmers’ activity. This analysis can have immediate consequences in the field, helping to reduce the risk of muscle-related issues and potential injuries. Furthermore, it provides valuable information about the crop without the need for specialized technology such as ground robots or drones.
Supporting Agricultural Managers and Future Plans
The AgWearCare project also aims to support agricultural managers in understanding the individual work of their employees. The project was led by Wise Connect SA, in collaboration with the Instituto Superior de Agronomia and APPITAD – Association of Producers in Integrated Protection of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro.
“The leading company of the project (Wise Connect S.A.) was quite interested in this project, and it aims to promote the development of the system – as an add-on for their commercial platform called WiseCrop,” mentioned Duarte Dias. The project plans to conduct pilot tests with INESC TEC to further validate the technology in the field.
Contributing to Sustainable Development
The AgWearCare project, titled “Wearables for Monitoring Working Conditions in Agroforestry,” was funded by the Portugal2020 program. By addressing the challenges faced by agricultural workers and promoting sustainable practices, the project contributes to the achievement of various SDGs.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
- SDG 8.8: Protect labor rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment.
- SDG 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes.
- SDG 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Metrics obtained from wearables to analyze the health and well-being of workers through the monitoring of tasks and work intensity.
- Geolocated metrics to understand the areas of the field that require greater or lesser efforts from the worker, indicating a greater or lesser density of any given crop.
- Number of movements performed by workers during certain activities, indicating their effort and the amount of work required for a certain area.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being. | – Metrics obtained from wearables to analyze the health and well-being of workers through the monitoring of tasks and work intensity. – Number of movements performed by workers during certain activities, indicating their effort and the amount of work required for a certain area. |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | 8.8: Protect labor rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment. | – Metrics obtained from wearables to analyze the health and well-being of workers through the monitoring of tasks and work intensity. |
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes. | – Metrics obtained from wearables to analyze the health and well-being of workers through the monitoring of tasks and work intensity. |
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources. | – Metrics obtained from wearables to analyze the health and well-being of workers through the monitoring of tasks and work intensity. – Number of movements performed by workers during certain activities, indicating their effort and the amount of work required for a certain area. |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: news-medical.net
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