A Prototype Sensor System Using Fabricated Piezoelectric Braided Cord for Work-Environment Measurement during Work from Home

Abstract

We proposed a new prototype sensor system to understand the workload of employees during telework. The goal of sensing using such a system is to index the degree of stress experienced by employees during work and recognize how to improve their work environment. Currently, to realize this, image processing technology with a Web camera is generally used for vital sign sensing. However, it creates a sense of discomfort at work because of a strong sense of surveillance. To truly evaluate a working environment, it is necessary that an employee be unaware of the sensor system and for the system to be as unobtrusive as possible. To overcome these practical barriers, we have developed a new removable piezoelectric sensor incorporated in a piezoelectric poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) braided cord. This cord is soft and flexible, and it does not cause any discomfort when attached to the cushion cover sheet. Thus, it was possible to measure the workload of an employee working from home without the employee being aware of the presence of a sensor. Additionally, we developed a system for storing data in a cloud system. We succeeded in acquiring continuous long-term data on the vital signs of employees during telework using this system. The analysis of the data revealed a strong correlation between behavior and stress.