OPENJ: A Conceptual Framework for Open-Source Digital Human Modeling and Ergonomic Assessment in a CAD Environment

Industrial ergonomics relies on digital human modeling (DHM) to simulate and assess risk, but the leading tools—Siemens Tecnomatix Jack, Dassault DELMIA, Humanetics RAMSIS—remain proprietary and expensive. In a new arXiv paper (cs.HC:2605.04270), researchers Sinan Bank and Casey E. Eaton propose OPENJ (OpenJane/Joe), a conceptual open-source framework that would provide the same core capabilities: scalable virtual mannequins, inverse kinematics for posture prediction, and standardized ergonomic assessments (RULA, REBA, NIOSH Lifting Equation, OWAS).

The paper highlights decades of barriers for individual researchers, small-to-medium enterprises, and educational institutions that cannot afford commercial licenses or access the closed-source code. Many resort to manual observation methods using paper worksheets and photographs, sacrificing reproducibility and predictive power. OPENJ positions itself as a design blueprint for a community-driven implementation, aiming to democratize ergonomic simulation within CAD environments. If realized, it could significantly lower the cost of workplace injury prevention and workstation optimization.