Laurentian University will be home to a very unique workplace simulator, thanks to funding from the federal government.
The institution's Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health received $286,172 for Canada’s first vibration in the workplace simulator, according to a news release.
Designed to simulate real-life working conditions, it will support scientific and technology research and development to help address critical health and safety issues within various industries.
“Laurentian University is pleased to partner with the Government of Canada, through FedNor, to advance research and development in Northern Ontario,” said Rui Wang, vice president of Research at the university. “This investment will allow us to form strategic alliances with entrepreneurs and industry professionals to help eliminate occupational injury and disease from workplaces here in Canada and around the world.”
Specifically, the simulator will include a robotic platform and environmental chamber that will be used to develop technologies to minimize vibration transmission and examine the systemic, health-related effects of exposure to vibration under conditions of high heat and humidity.
The system will also feature an eye tracker that will provide an understanding of what workers pay attention to when utilizing new technologies.
This investment will provide Northern Ontario researchers, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals with access to cutting-edge equipment that will be used to develop and commercialize new products and technologies to improve working conditions and productivity.
