Brainwatch: Neuroscience Meets Manufacturing

In the constantly shifting landscape of electronics production, many companies face the daunting challenge of labor-intensive assembly tasks, consistently striving to remain efficient and competitive. One such company, Galeb Electronics, a regional leader in the production of fiscal devices, found themselves grappling with this all-too-common issue in the manufacturing industry. This pressing challenge wasn’t just about increasing productivity but also about creating a worker-centric environment. Their assembly process, focused on various models of fiscal devices, required the workers’ utmost attention and dedication. Each worker had to be fully engaged in manually assembling multiple components following model-specific procedures. 

Under the guidance of a skilled team of researchers from Galeb Electronics, including N. Knezevic, A. Savic, Z. Gordic, E. Ercelik, and K. Jovanovic, a revolutionary solution named ‘BrainWatch’ was developed, reshaping small batch production in the electronics domain. BrainWatch is an advanced system that incorporates multiple modules for enhanced task management and assembly. The primary BrainWatch component taps into the workers’ neurology, analyzing EEG-based indices related to their performance. The result is a system that knows when to allocate tasks and even reschedule them based on the workers’ mental engagement levels. 

Complementing this is the M2O2P-L module, a significant advancement from its predecessor, the M2O2P. It utilizes a leap motion sensor, identifying the presence of a human hand and interpreting hand gestures, paving the way for a more intuitive collaboration between humans and machines. The ADIN module acts as a bridge between BrainWatch and M2O2P-L, offering timely assembly guidance. This eliminates the need for manual checklists or perplexing instructions, delivering precise and timely directives for efficient assembly. 

Integrating the BrainWatch system and its associated modules led to a series of impressive outcomes for Galeb Electronics. After implementing the BrainWatch components, the company observed a considerable reduction in defective parts – from 2% down to almost negligible levels. This improvement was attributed to the system’s automated assembly sequence, which virtually eradicated component skipping. Issues like frequent change-over times, extended onboarding processes for new devices, and the underperformance of new recruits became things of the past. BrainWatch and its components promptly addressed these concerns. Perhaps the most convincing evidence of BrainWatch’s success came directly from the workers. Post-implementation interviews unveiled a shared sentiment: BrainWatch didn’t merely simplify their tasks; it enhanced their job satisfaction. In conclusion, the BrainWatch project exemplifies the fusion of human expertise with technological innovation and stands as a model for industries everywhere, ushering in a new age of manufacturing efficiency.