Improving workers qualification: Quincy project wants to enable sensor-supported learning on large construction sites
Quincy project team visits the University of Kassel, Photo: IÖW.
Order books are full, but construction sites are short-staffed. Can digital innovation solve this problem and improve working conditions at the same time? The Quincy research project is developing a smart learning and assistance system for assembly work on large open-field solar installations. Sensors will recognize activities, provide appropriate learning content, and give feedback – for example, to teach healthy posture. On March 12, 2026, the team presented its ideas at the 72nd Spring Congress of the Society for Ergonomics (GfA) in Kassel.
“Quincy builds a bridge between several highly relevant challenges: With this project, we want to address the shortage of skilled workers, shape digitalization in an ethically responsible manner, spread sustainability innovations in Europe, and accelerate the energy transition”, says project manager Dr. Christian Lautermann, economist at the Institute for Ecological Economy Research (IÖW).
The transdisciplinary team also includes digitization researchers from the August-Wilhelm Scheer Institute, the Department of Work and Organizational Psychology at the University of Kassel, and industry partner MEISER Solar, which builds substructures for solar parks.
Human-centered work in the digital age
“We are committed to designing work processes on construction sites in a human-centered and ergonomic way. The installation of solar systems in particular shows how important it is to reduce physical strain and promote the long-term health of workers”, says engineer Dr. Mehrach Saki from the University of Kassel.
At the Congress of the Society for Ergonomics, held under the motto “Human-centered work design”, the project provided inspiration on how innovative technology can be developed in a responsible and user-friendly manner.
Farzaneh Norouzinia, digitalization expert at the August-Wilhelm Scheer Institute, emphasizes: “For us at Quincy, it's about turning data into real benefits for people.” AI-supported software uses sensor data, for example from smartphones or fitness wristbands, to recognize the activities of workers. It also knows which tasks need to be done where and in what order, and monitors physical strain. This provides immediate, individual feedback and instructions.
The added value: Even unskilled workers can be trained quickly and thus benefit from new career prospects. At the same time, the ergonomic feedback is intended to reduce absences and increase well-being.
From construction site to market readiness through a European collaboration network
As one of ten EuKoNet projects, Quincy is working to promote modern work design in European collaboration networks. It is part of the “Future of Value Creation – Research on Production, Services, and Work” program, which is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) and the European Union through the European Social Fund Plus (ESF Plus).
In the Quincy network, companies can participate in the innovation process, initially in the field of solar park construction. In a later step, other players, for example from the rail and road construction sectors, will be invited to discuss the expansion of sensor-supported learning and working to their industries. Interested parties are welcome to contact the project team.
