Short title: SensiTrack

Long title: SensiTrack - Tracking vs Privacy in der Arbeitswelt 4.0

Duration: November 2019 – Jänner 2021

Allocation to IMW's research priorities:

• Work organization

Abstract:

In the course of digital networking, tracking systems for tracing production processes are becoming increasingly important. The recording and use of near-real-time position and status data of means of transport, tools and load carriers (pallets, pallet cages) - so-called "asset tracking" - is already standard in various industries. It can be assumed that the use of tracking systems in companies will increase in the future.

In addition to asset tracking, the technologies used also offer new possibilities for recording and evaluating the position of employees over time. On the one hand, this can be done actively to increase work safety at dangerous workplaces or to localize employees. Since these systems usually use wireless standards such as WLAN, Bluetooth or RFID, position data from employees' mobile devices (smartphone, smartwatch) can also be passively recorded without their consent.

Data on the location of employees is sensitive information. From an employee privacy perspective, data of this type should only be collected with consent and added value for the employee. From a scientific perspective, 2 fundamental questions arise:

• How to ensure that the use of localization services does not cause privacy issues?
• How can we ensure that the data is stored securely and used only for positioning?

In the SensiTrack project, measures are being developed that make it possible to support the positive aspects of the technology in terms of occupational safety, but deliberately limit the potential for surveillance by employers. This will develop new trust boundaries for the use or deliberate non-use of active or passive tracking systems. The focus is on the use and design of digital technology to improve working conditions. For this purpose, the following work science contents are examined in more detail:

• Optimization potential through active tracking in hazardous work areas
• Invasion of privacy through collection of position data in the work environment
• Trustworthy tracking systems or opt-out options for employees

As part of the project, an experiment with 200 test persons will be carried out in the pilot factory Industry 4.0 in the Urban Lakeside Aspern. An essential part of the project is the development of the experiment setup. The results of the experiment will be evaluated and made available to the AK and other relevant stakeholders. e.g. through workshops with works councils.

Partners:

• FH St. Pölten
• AUVA

Project management:

• FH St.Pölten Forschungsgruppe Digital Technologies
• Institut für Creative\Media/Technologies
• Department Medien und Digitale Technologien
• Dipl.-Ing. Christian Jandl BSc

Contact:

Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dipl.-Ing. Sebastian Schlund

Telefon: +43 1 58801 33054
E-Mail: sebastian.schlund@tuwien.ac.at