Quick answer
ViveLab's AI ergonomic assessment lets you upload a photo or phone video of a task, runs MediaPipe pose detection in your browser to estimate joint angles, and pre-fills REBA and RULA worksheets. You confirm the things a camera can't see, such as load, coupling and wrist twist, then print a report. It's an AI-assisted estimate for a competent person to review, and your media never leaves your device.
What is ViveLab's AI ergonomic assessment?
It is an AI posture analysis tool that turns a photo or phone video of a task into a pre-filled ergonomic assessment. You upload the media, the browser detects body landmarks, and ViveLab estimates the joint angles that REBA and RULA need: trunk, neck, upper arm, elbow, wrist and knee angles, plus signs of trunk side-bend, twist, arm abduction and uneven leg support.
Those angles fill in the REBA and RULA worksheets automatically. You review them, add what the camera can't see, and get scores and a printable report.
The aim of an AI ergonomic assessment is to cut down the slowest part of an observational assessment: freezing the right moment, estimating angles by eye, and working through the tables. If you are comparing vendors and products, our guide on what to look for in AI-based ergonomic software covers the wider category.
How does AI posture analysis from video work?
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Upload | You choose a photo or video from your device |
| 2. Pose detection | MediaPipe Pose Landmarker runs in your browser and finds body landmarks such as shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees and ankles |
| 3. Angle estimation | ViveLab calculates joint angles from 3D landmark estimates, which are less sensitive to camera angle than flat 2D measurements |
| 4. Side selection | It assesses the more visible side of the body |
| 5. Review | You see the estimated angles and can correct any value |
| 6. Confirm | You add load, coupling, wrist twist, shoulder elevation and activity factors |
| 7. Report | REBA and RULA scores with risk and action levels, ready to print |
How do you film a task for a video ergonomic assessment?
The quality of the footage sets the ceiling on the result. A few habits make the estimate more reliable:
- Film from the side or a slight angle. Side views generally work best for trunk, neck and arm flexion.
- Keep the whole body in frame. Hidden feet, hands or hips force the model to guess, and the confirm step gets harder.
- Hold the camera steady. A tripod, shelf or second person helps. Any phone is fine, and 10 to 60 seconds of video usually covers several cycles.
- Avoid obstructions where you can. Carts, racking and loose clothing in front of the body are common sources of error.
- Capture the worst moment. Make sure the clip includes the reach, bend or lift you are most concerned about, not just the easy part of the cycle.
If the angles still look wrong after upload, correct them in the review step before you rely on the scores.
Why does processing stay on my device?
Workplace video often shows people's faces, products and processes that shouldn't leave the site. Because pose detection runs in the browser, the photo or video is processed on your own device and is not uploaded to ViveLab.
That makes it easier to use with workers' consent and within company rules on recording. You should still follow your organization's policies and tell people why you're filming.
What does the AI estimate, and what do you confirm?
| AI estimates from the image | You confirm or enter |
|---|---|
| Trunk flexion, side-bend and twist | Load or force handled |
| Neck flexion | Coupling or grip quality |
| Upper arm flexion and abduction | Wrist twist (forearm rotation) |
| Elbow flexion | Shoulder elevation |
| Wrist flexion (coarse) | Arm support or leaning |
| Knee flexion and uneven leg support | Static holding, repetition and rapid posture changes |
Some factors are invisible in a single image, and others, like fine wrist angles, are hard to estimate from hand landmarks. Splitting the work this way keeps the AI on what it does reasonably well and leaves judgment calls to you.
How accurate is an AI ergonomic assessment?
It's an estimate. Results depend on camera position, lighting, loose clothing, objects blocking the body, and how far the posture is from the camera. Side views generally work best for flexion angles. Our article on video-based ergonomic assessment accuracy covers what the research says and where errors come from.
We don't claim a specific accuracy figure, and ViveLab's scores have not been validated against expert raters. Treat every AI ergonomic assessment as a draft that a competent person reviews before it's used for decisions.
Who is it for?
- EHS and safety managers at small and mid-size factories and warehouses who need to screen many jobs without a full-time ergonomist.
- Ergonomics consultants who want faster first drafts of REBA and RULA worksheets.
- Supervisors and engineers comparing a task before and after a change.
It pairs well with the free ergonomic assessment checklist to choose which jobs to film first. If you are weighing up any ergonomic assessment app, our guide to choosing a posture analysis app explains what to look for.
Which method does the AI ergonomic assessment use?
It applies the published REBA method for whole-body postures and the RULA method for upper-limb work. The AI only estimates the angles. The scoring tables are the same ones you would use on paper, so you can check any result by hand. For two-handed lifting, use the lifting index calculator as well, since a lifting limit depends on distances and frequency rather than posture alone.
How much does it cost?
AI posture analysis is free during early access. Planned plans are Pro at $49 per month and Team at $199 per month. See pricing for the latest details, or join early access.
ViveLab's scores are AI-assisted screening estimates, not medical or legal advice, and should be reviewed by a competent person.
Frequently asked questions
Does my video get uploaded to a server?
No. Pose detection runs in your browser using MediaPipe, so the photo or video is processed on your device and is not sent to ViveLab's servers.
How accurate is AI posture analysis?
Camera-based pose estimation gives an estimate, not a measurement. Accuracy depends on camera angle, lighting, clothing, occlusion and how much of the body is visible. That's why every angle can be reviewed and edited, and why a competent person should check the final scores.
What can't the AI see?
It can't reliably judge load weight, grip or coupling quality, forearm (wrist) twist, shoulder elevation, or how often and how long a posture is held. You confirm these before the scores are final.
Which assessments does it support?
It pre-fills REBA and RULA. For lifting tasks, use the free NIOSH lifting calculator alongside it, since the lifting equation depends on distances, frequency and load rather than posture alone.
How much does it cost?
It's free during early access. Planned paid plans are Pro at $49 per month and Team at $199 per month; see the pricing page for current details.
Does an AI ergonomic assessment replace an ergonomist?
No. It speeds up the observation and scoring steps, but interpreting the results and choosing fixes still needs someone who understands the job and ergonomics.