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New technologies and technical developments can
change existing forms of work or create new ones. The
biggest driver of these changes can be seen in infor-
mation technology. General digitalisation and global
ICT make it possible to have dispersed production and
service processes that are networked with one another
around the clock.
The digitalisation of the world of work can clearly be
seen in the following examples of technology:
Ambient Intelligence
Ambient intelligence refers to sensors, wireless modules
and other IT components that are networked in a system
which reacts by itself to the parameters of a person or
their environment. This technology is being developed
dynamically in the world of work. It is possible, that in
the future, a person’s working environment, for example,
the room climate or lighting, will automatically adapt to
that person’s personal preferences or to the changing
physiological parameters of the work being done. “Wear-
ables” are an example of ambient intelligence. These are
sensors integrated into clothing which measure physio-
logical parameters such as body temperature and heart-
rate as well as external parameters such as ambient tem-
perature. The technology can provide an early warning of
imminent danger or overstrain. Wearable technology is
already being used in protective clothing for fire fighters.
New technologies
New Forms of Work
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