Augusto de Sousa Coelho

Augusto de Sousa Coelho is an Associate Professor at the University of Aveiro, School of Design, Management, and Production Technologies (Northern Aveiro), where he coordinates the Bachelor’s Degree in Product and Technology Design. He teaches and supervises in the areas of Design and Aerospace Engineering. His research focuses on human-centred and UX design, with publications in books, journals, and international conferences, and he has participated in several national research projects. His career combines academia and professional practice, including consultancy at the Portuguese Design Centre and collaborations with national and international companies. In recent years, his work has focused on healthcare design (emergency equipment and ambulances) and the circular economy (recycled materials, urban furniture, and technical and safety footwear).

EDUCATION

Augusto de Sousa Coelho graduated in Product Design. He also has an MBA in Design, Materials, and Product Management. Additionally, he completed Advanced Studies in Design and Product Development. He is also a Specialist in the Field: Design – Specialisation: Product Design and Technology

RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS

Multidisciplinary, Arts and Humanities, Aerospace Engineering, Automotive Engineering

Scopus Publications

Evaluation of a smart-wear device for postural real-Time feedback in industrial 4.0 settings-A case report
Susana Lopes, Mário Rodrigues, Mário Lopes, Augusto de Sousa Coelho, Rui Costa, José Alvarelhão
Procedia Computer Science, 2025
In manufacturing, repetitive tasks and prolonged poor posture contribute to fatigue and musculoskeletal disorders. Smart devices offering biomechanical feedback promise to reduce these risks, but their effectiveness in industrial contexts requires further investigation. Therefore, this case report presents the efficacy, adherence, and worker’s perception of a smart-wear prototype in a real-life industrial manufacturing setting. The system involves using a wearable sensorized jacket and shoes and real-time feedback delivered to the worker, corresponding to a Technology Readiness Level 6. The use of the smart system seems to lead to a reduction in muscle activity of the upper trapezius, triceps brachii, biceps brachii, and flexor carpi radiallis. This suggests the system’s efficacy in reducing muscle fatigue and work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Additionally, the system adherence seems to be demonstrated with the worker looking at the interface information, and correcting posture. This correction was confirmed by the change of color of the interface back to its normal white, during the neutral zone of effort. This posture correction was also confirmed in the interview of the worker’s perception of the smart system. The interview with the worker also provided valuable information regarding the interface quality of information and clarity, its ease of use, and wearables comfort.
Exploring muscle fatigue related to repetitive work in an industrial setting - Preliminary results of a single-case study
Susana Lopes, Mário Lopes, Mário Rodrigues, Rui Costa, Augusto Sousa Coelho, Joaquim Alvarelhão
Procedia Computer Science, 2024
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders, a major public health problem, are mainly caused by the task nature and the work environment. One of the most important risk factors for the development of work-related musculoskeletal disorders is muscle fatigue. Therefore, its assessment can contribute to the application of preventive measures. Many studies have evaluated muscle fatigue associated with work tasks in laboratory settings, but they do not mimic industrial environments, with their constant noise, air pollution, and stress. A repetitive task of vertical screw-tightening performed by an experienced worker in a manufacturing and assembling industry was selected. Four assessment moments took place during the shift on 3 non-consecutive days. Outcomes included electromyography data from the upper trapezius and biceps brachii to assess muscle fatigue, painful symptoms in the upper limbs’ joints and trunk, and perceived exertion. An increase in painful symptoms and perceived exertion was reported by the worker throughout each of the analyzed shifts. A trend toward increased electromyography values was also observed. Muscle tension in the upper trapezius seems to have an inverse association with tension in the biceps brachii in this activity. Although it is possible to verify a trend towards an increase in electromyography, this trend is timid, with variability between the different cycles.
A Smart-Wear Device for Postural Real-Time Feedback in Industrial 4.0 Settings Using DREAM Approach
Augusto de Sousa Coelho, Paulo Matos, Abílio Borges, Richardson Lacerda, Susana Lopes, Mário Rodrigues, Mário Lopes, Joaquim Alvarelhão
Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, 2024
Exploring the Efficacy of a Set of Smart Devices for Postural Awareness for Workers in an Industrial Context: Protocol for a Single-Subject Experimental Design
Mário Lopes, Susana Lopes, Mariana Monteiro, Mário Rodrigues, Aureliano Fertuzinhos, Augusto de Sousa Coelho, Paulo Matos, Abílio Borges, Teófilo Leite, Cátia Sampaio, Rui Costa, José Alvarelhão
Jmir Research Protocols, 2023
Background In manufacturing industries, tasks requiring poor posture, high repetition, and long duration commonly induce fatigue and lead to an increased risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Smart devices assessing biomechanics and providing feedback to the worker for correction may be a successful way to increase postural awareness, reducing fatigue, and work-related musculoskeletal disorders. However, evidence in industrial settings is lacking. Objective This study protocol aims to explore the efficacy of a set of smart devices to detect malposture and increase postural awareness, reducing fatigue, and musculoskeletal disorders. Methods A longitudinal single-subject experimental design following the ABAB sequence will be developed in a manufacturing industry real context with 5 workers. A repetitive task of screw tightening of 5 screws in a standing position into a piece placed horizontally was selected. Workers will be assessed in 4 moments per shift (10 minutes after the beginning of the shift, 10 minutes before and after the break, and 10 minutes before the end of the shift) in 5 nonconsecutive days. The primary outcomes are fatigue, assessed by electromyography, and musculoskeletal symptoms assessed by the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Secondary outcomes include perceived effort (Borg perceived exertion scale); range of motion of the main joints in the upper body, speed, acceleration, and deceleration assessed by motion analysis; risk stratification of range of motion; and cycle duration in minutes. Structured visual analysis techniques will be conducted to observe the effects of the intervention. Results for each variable of interest will be compared among the different time points of the work shift and longitudinally considering each assessment day as a time point. Results Enrollment for the study will start in April 2023. Results are expected to be available still in the first semester of 2023. It is expected that the use of the smart system will reduce malposture, fatigue, and consequently, work-related musculoskeletal pain and disorders. Conclusions This proposed study will explore a strategy to increase postural awareness in industrial manufacturing workers who do repetitive tasks, using smart wearables that provide real-time feedback about biomechanics. Results would showcase a novel approach for improving self-awareness of risk for work-related musculoskeletal disorders for these workers providing an evidence base support for the use of such devices. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/43637
Design research for the development of a Medical Emergency Ambulance. Design as a symbolic qualifier in the design of complex systems/products
Augusto de Sousa Coelho, Vasco Branco
Design Journal, 2017
This research made it possible to launch a cooperation program between the University, the Industry and the National Institute of Medical Emergency of Portugal (INEM), to design a new medical emergency ambulance. The study has built a conceptual reference framework of an Ambulance Type B, focused on the sanitary cell, i.e. the area of a vehicle in which the assistance to the patient, stabilization and transport take place, as well as the interaction between the main medical equipment, medical personnel and patients occurs. This type of ambulance is used by the INEM to attend more than 91% of emergency calls. This project has developed a holistic participative design approach to the user´s needs, qualifying space with the conditions to improve the medical staff and patient experience. The research results have emphasized design as one of the main factors for the development of Prehospital emergency and patient transport vehicles.
Aprend.E-Electronic integrated system for learning and training
From Author to Reader Challenges for the Digital Content Chain Proceedings of the 9th Iccc International Conference on Electronic Publishing Elpub 2005, 2005