Workplace Simulator Laboratory (W‑SIM)
Located in the Cliff Fielding Research Innovation and Engineering building – and part of the Perdue Central Analytical Facility (PCAF) – on the Laurentian University campus, the CROSH Workplace Simulator is a one-of-a-kind facility providing state-of-the-art infrastructure for the design of research studies or service contracts that solve real-world workplace problems through work-task simulation.
The Workplace Simulator consists of four components: a robotic vibration and motion platform, a virtual reality eye-tracking system, a metabolic cart, and an environmental chamber. It is the only lab in the world capable of combining these pieces of equipment into one integrated system.
Together, or individually, the Workplace Simulator and its components can precisely and reliably recreate workplace conditions, enabling the testing of equipment, systems, and people in standardized laboratory conditions.
Vibration Simulation
- Vibration Transmissibility
- Musculoskeletal Loading
- Vibration Induced Injury
- Motion Analysis
- PPE Evaluation
Environment Simulation
- Fatigue
- Heat Stress
- Nutrition
- Physiological Stressors
- Sleep
Virtual Reality Simulation
- Eye-tracking
- Line of Sight
- Proximity Detection
- Cognitive Workload
- Human Factors and Equipment Operation
Metabolic Cart
- Breath-by-Breath Metabolic Analyses & Pulmonary Function Tests
- Exercise & Occupational Fitness Testing
- Spirometry
- Weight Management
Components of the Workplace Simulator Laboratory
The Workplace Simulator allows the research team to simultaneously evaluate the effects of vibration, temperature, and humidity, on human health and performance under controlled conditions. The W-SIM enables controlled research to concurrently evaluate aspects of musculoskeletal health, ergonomics, human factors, and work physiology to identify occupational injury risk factors and subsequently to develop interventions to mitigate the previously identified hazards.
The findings from researching using the Workplace Simulator are applicable to industries liking mining, construction, forestry, manufacturing, warehousing, transportation, and more, across Canada and the globe.
Workplace Simulator
CROSH’s Workplace Simulator offers state-of-the-art testing and research capabilities in vibration and motion simulation, environmental simulation, virtual reality eye-tracking, and human physiological measuring. Contact us to learn how we can serve your Workplace Simulator needs.
The robotic motion platform can recreate the vibration and motion profiles of mobile equipment in the field.
- Vibration Simulation
- Musculoskeletal Loading
- Vibration-Injury Evaluation
- Simulated Equipment Operation
The environmental chamber can be set to precise temperatures (hot and cold) and humidity levels, enabling testing under conditions of heat or cold stress.
- Temperature Replication
- Physiological Stressors
- Simulated Work Tasks and Environment
The virtual reality eye-tracker provides performance metrics to evaluate equipment design and policy interventions.
- Line-of-Sight Testing
- Situational Awareness Testing
- Evaluating User Performance
Metabolic Cart
CROSH’s Metabolic Cart, or Cardiorespiratory Diagnostic System, performs comprehensive pulmonary function tests and true breath-by-breath metabolic analyses. Contact us to arrange Metbaolic Cart services or to learn how we can serve your testing needs. Some of our capabilities include:
Exercise Testing
Applicable to everyone from occupational athletes to individuals with fitness goals, cardiopulmonary exercise testing with the Metabolic Cart incorporates a suite of physiological measurements, like VO2 max, to provide comprehensive data on cardiovascular, pulmonary, and muscular systems.
Spirometry
The Metabolic Cart can measure the amount and speed of air being inhaled and exhaled. Specific tests include Forced Expiratory Volume and Forced Vital Capacity. These assessments of lung function have a wide range of applications in both the occupational and personal fitness fields.
Weight Management
One of the risks of too-rapid weight loss is a long-term decrease in metabolism. The Metabolic Cart can aid in weight management monitoring by regularly recording Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR), helping to avoid unwanted decreases in metabolism.