As part of the Cluster of Excellence Cognition for Technical Systems (CoTeSys), the integration of cognitive systems in currently humanly dominated, manual assembly environments is the core issue of the project ACIPE (Adaptive Cognitive Interaction in Production Environments). This paper presents a novel concept of workbench augmentation for adaptive human worker observation and guidance. An increase in worker performance is expected from a cognitive assistance system integrated into the workbench, which can support the worker via context sensitive, adaptively generated instructions at the right time, location and with appropriate content. In order to assist the worker optimally, a deeper understanding of mental workload and related cognitive processes and limitations during manual assembly is needed. This research gives an overview of the involved cognitive processes, and a toolbox of neurocognitive methods and tracking technologies for measuring and quantifying these is suggested. Based upon a critical review of Augmented Reality (AR) systems for production environments, a novel AR concept utilizing projection of instructions directly onto the working area, contact analog object highlighting, and foot-based interaction is proposed. The augmented workbench serves both as a research tool for detecting cognitive bottlenecks in manual assembly, as well as an implementation platform for the worker assistance system, leading to a more efficient manual assembly performance.     «

As part of the Cluster of Excellence Cognition for Technical Systems (CoTeSys), the integration of cognitive systems in currently humanly dominated, manual assembly environments is the core issue of the project ACIPE (Adaptive Cognitive Interaction in Production Environments). This paper presents a novel concept of workbench augmentation for adaptive human worker observation and guidance. An increase in worker performance is expected from a cognitive assistance system integrated into the workben...     »