Project

Humane and sustainable introduction of digital twin technology in the development of occupational safety – HumanDT

The utilization of digital twins (DT) is becoming more common in industrial processes. In this project, we focus on the use of digital twins in the development of occupational safety. We examine human perspectives and proactive planning (SSbD, Safe and Sustainable by Design) in the use and design of digital twins. We also consider how they should be taken into account in occupational safety applications. The SAF€RA research project will be implemented in cooperation with the Spanish company TECNALIA Research and Innovation.

Nainen työskentelemässä tuotantotiloissa

Timetable

3/2025–3/2026

Objectives

Accurate indicators and the monitoring of digital twins technology involve ethical challenges because human work is also measured at the same time. Human factors and the experiences of the end users and developers of the digital twins technology must be investigated so that human perspectives and ethical questions can be taken into account in advance in technological solutions and implementation.

Our study will ensure that

the technology of digital twins and its implementation are ethically sustainable. It is a prerequisite for effective application of the technology.
guidelines will be drawn up as the output of this project. They will serve as a guiding principle for the development of digital twin applications for occupational safety in Finnish industry.

Data and methods

The study focuses on

international research and application data on safety and sustainability by design (SSbD)
European companies that apply technological occupational safety applications involving digital twins. Especially on the teams that develop digital twins and the end users of their applications.

Results and impact

As the outcome of the study, guidelines will be drawn up for planning occupational safety concerning digital twins and to be used in occupational safety involving digital twins. The guidelines apply to ethical and human perspectives, especially to proactive planning of safety and sustainability (SSbD). This is the first study on the subject in Finland.