AI, wearables and digital human models revolutionise ergonomic risk prevention and win the CGCOII Award at CIDIP / ICPME 2026

The application of artificial intelligence, wearables (smart wearable devices that collect data), and digital human biomechanical models to improve occupational risk prevention has been recognised with the General Council of Official Associations of Industrial Engineers Award, one of the most prestigious distinctions presented during the 30th International Congress on Project Management and Engineering (CIDIP / ICPME 2026), held from 7 to 9 July at Universitat Jaume I in Castellón de la Plana.

The award, endowed with €2,000, was presented by Daniel Javaloyas, Dean of the Official Association of Industrial Engineers of the Valencian Community, on behalf of the General Council of Official Associations of Industrial Engineers.

The winning paper, entitled «Ergonomics 4.0: AI, Wearables and Digital Models», was authored by José Antonio Diego Mas, Professor at the Universitat Politècnica de València and Director of Ergonautas; Rocío Poveda Bautista, Associate Professor at the Universitat Politècnica de València; and Jorge Alcaide Marzal. The first two authors received the award during the Congress closing gala.

The research proposes a paradigm shift in ergonomic assessment by integrating technologies such as inertial sensors, digital human models and artificial intelligence to measure risk exposure continuously and objectively. Unlike traditional methods, which rely on expert observation and semi-quantitative assessment scales, this approach reconstructs joint kinematics, identifies critical events and generates a «temporal risk map» that supports the implementation of more effective preventive practices.

As a case study, the researchers analysed the tasks performed by hotel housekeepers, an occupation characterised by complex postures, repetitive movements and frequent changes in body position. The findings demonstrate the potential of these emerging technologies to enhance preventive effectiveness, improve the traceability of ergonomic assessments and support data-driven decision-making.

Honourable Mention for Research on Ecodesign Strategies for Robotic Vacuum Cleaners

The jury also awarded an Honourable Mention of the General Council of Official Associations of Industrial Engineers Award, consisting of free registration for the next Congress, to the paper «Environmental Assessment for the Identification of Ecodesign Strategies for a Domestic Robotic Vacuum Cleaner», authored by Ana Besa Sanchis, Eduardo Blanco-Espeleta and Victoria Pérez-Belis. The award was collected by Eduardo Blanco-Espeleta, Assistant Professor at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid.

The research analyses the environmental impact of a domestic robotic vacuum cleaner throughout its entire life cycle to identify ecodesign strategies aimed at improving product circularity, in line with the new Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). The results provide valuable decision-support criteria for designing consumer electronic products with a lower environmental footprint.

The Honourable Mention was presented by Mariano Hernández Fernández, President of the Official Association of Industrial Engineers of the Valencian Community – Castellón Branch.

Recognising Scientific Excellence

The awards were announced during the closing ceremony by Francisco Zamora Polo, Secretary of the Scientific Committee, chaired by Francisco Ortega Fernández, in recognition of the papers that best represent scientific excellence and demonstrate the capacity of research to address today’s major challenges in engineering and project management.

Organised by AEIPRO – IPMA Spain and Universitat Jaume I, the 30th International Congress on Project Management and Engineering brought together more than 200 delegates from 20 countries and featured 271 scientific contributions—224 papers and 47 posters—further consolidating its position as one of the leading international forums for knowledge exchange in project management and engineering.