Smart Packaging in Intralogistics: An Evaluation Study of Human-Technology Interaction in Applying New Collaboration Technologies

Abstract

Handling and packaging of heterogeneous products with different weights and sizes with optimal packaging schemes is a challenging task for the e-commerce industry. Furthermore, to keep the packaging process on a standardized level independent of the experience level of the employee, the demand of digital human-centered solutions is increasing. Against this background, two different digital assistance systems to indicate packaging order and scheme – Augmented Reality (AR) based data glasses and a LED based packaging assistant - were developed. In a laboratory study the interaction between human and both digital devices regarding subjective workload, usability, user experience, physical complaints and objective measurements was evaluated – with a conventional paper list as control group. Results indicate that both the AR and LED interface are appropriate solutions to assist warehouse workers in packaging. However, it can be supposed that the LED interface seems to be a better method in terms of physical and especially visual strains.