MORPH: A Project for Intelligent and Collaborative Work Equipment for Risk Prevention
An everyday gesture like using a mouse can become a tool for prevention. This vision is the foundation of MORPH – Mouse for Occupational Risk Prevention & Health, a research project coordinated by the Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna and the Department of Technological Innovations and Safety of Plants, Products and Anthropic Settlements (DIT) of Inail, presented in partnership with the University of Rome Tor Vergata and the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital IRCCS of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, within the framework of the BRiC 2025 calls (Bandi di Ricerca in Collaborazione – Collaborative Research Calls).
The MORPH project aims to develop a human-computer interaction system designed to support the prevention of occupational risks. The goal is to develop an innovative approach to the conception of computer work equipment as next-generation collaborative devices, capable of interacting with the user and actively contributing to the protection of health and safety in work environments, through advanced sensor technologies and artificial intelligence. The purpose is to help prevent risks associated with prolonged computer use, particularly those related to poor posture and repetitive movements.
One of the central elements of the project is its focus on usability: the system will be designed to ensure comfort, ease of use and immediacy comparable to traditional computer interfaces, without requiring users to change their habits. Technology thus becomes a discreet and accessible tool, integrated into the daily work routine.
The system will be designed to accompany the user during normal use, making the most of human-computer interaction modalities as a key factor in prevention. Through the use of advanced digital technologies, the system will aim to foster greater awareness in the use of work tools and to promote healthier behaviours. Technology thus becomes a discreet and accessible tool, integrated into the daily work routine.
In this perspective, the system is conceived to adapt to the characteristics and usage patterns of the individual user, offering a personalised experience that takes into account individual specificities without requiring changes to operational habits. Personalisation is thus a key element for improving the effectiveness of prevention actions, wellbeing and overall sustainability, particularly in new organisational models.
The Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna is responsible for the mechanical and electronic design of the device, as well as the prototyping of the sensorised system and its ergonomic interfaces. The research activity focuses on the development of a reliable, ergonomically effective and easily adoptable system for work environments.
DIT INAIL is responsible for analysing the relationship between risk exposure and the onset of disorders in digital work environments, in relation to tasks, equipment, individual characteristics and organisational models, as well as verifying compliance with sector regulations, with a view to developing innovative prevention models that integrate technological, organisational and human dimensions.
The University of Rome Tor Vergata is responsible for developing machine learning models and neural networks for data analysis, aimed at real-time interpretation of the worker's interaction patterns with the system and at supporting innovative approaches to occupational risk prevention.
The Agostino Gemelli University Hospital is responsible for defining clinical requirements, providing the scientific basis for the assessment of pathologies and for the design of ergonomic interfaces, as well as managing the prototype testing phases and pre-clinical trials on non-pathological subjects, aimed at validating the system's effectiveness and verifying its reliability in real-world use scenarios.
MORPH is part of the framework of national initiatives aimed at promoting the prevention of occupational risks and improving health and safety in the workplace. The participation and coordination of the Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, with the scientific director of Daniele Leonardis, Professor at the Institute of Mechanical Intelligence, confirm the University's commitment to developing innovative technological solutions oriented towards people's wellbeing and the sustainability of work environments.
