Cookies Policy
The website need some cookies and similar means to function. If you permit us, we will use those means to collect data on your visits for aggregated statistics to improve our service. Find out More
Accept Reject
  • Menu
About

About

Filipa finished her master’s degree in Information Science at FEUP (Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto) in 2010. Her master thesis was done in the scope of Information Management and Enterprise Content Management research domains.

Professionally, she started working as IT Consultant at Centre for Enterprise Systems Engineering (CESE) in INESC TEC in December 2008. As a consultant, she worked with companies from different sectors, both industry and services, in projects for improving their Business Processes and Information Systems. Moreover, she actively participated as researcher in European RTD Projects and in research activities in information and knowledge management within the Collaborative Networks and Knowledge Management research group led by Professor António Lucas Soares. In the same way, she kept her connection with the university, being a Guest Lecturer in the Enterprise Information course of the Information Science Master programme at Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto.

In 2014 she embraces a new professional challenge outside the research environment at VORTAL as a Senior Functional Analyst. This represented an excellent opportunity to develop soft-skills and to get experience in the development of information systems, in the areas of software requirements elicitation and specification and to get familiar with the most recent software product development methodologies. 

In 2017 she rejoins INESC TEC and she Filipa Ramalho now works as a researcher and Ph.D. Candidate at Centre for Enterprise Systems Engineering (CESE) from INESC TEC in the scientific domains of Information Management&Data Management, Knowledge Management, Collaboration, Immersive Systems (AR, VR, MR), Human-Centered Manufacturing Systems, and Industry Technology Adoption. Her doctoral Ph.D. project "Immersive Technologies in Complex Manufacturing Systems as an Informational Problem: A Human-Centered Approach," is based on the study about the importance of proper information management for the development of more effective human-centered technologies in factories.

Interest
Topics
Details

Details

  • Name

    Filipa Rente Ramalho
  • Role

    Research Assistant
  • Since

    01st December 2008
006
Publications

2026

Human-Centered Augmented Reality in Manufacturing: Enhancing Efficiency, Accuracy, and Operator Adoption

Authors
Ramalho, FR; Soares, AL; Simoes, AC; Almeida, AH; Oliveira, M;

Publication
ADVANCES IN PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS. CYBER-PHYSICAL-HUMAN PRODUCTION SYSTEMS: HUMAN-AI COLLABORATION AND BEYOND, APMS 2025, PT I

Abstract
This paper evaluates an Augmented Reality (AR) solution designed to support quality control in a assembly line inspection station before body marriage at a European automotive manufacturer. A threephase methodology was applied: an AS-IS assessment, a formative evaluation of an intermediate prototype, and a summative evaluation under real production conditions. The AR solution aimed to improve task standardization, non-value-added time (NVAT), and enhance operator accuracy. The results showed that operators successfully developed inspections using the AR tool, identifying and correcting non-conformities (NOKs) while maintaining task duration. Participants valued having contextual information directly in their field of vision and reported increased rigor and consistency. However, usability and ergonomic improvements were noted, such as headset weight, gesture interaction, and visibility over dark components. The findings highlight AR's potential to support operator autonomy and accuracy in industrial environments while emphasizing the need for human-centered design and integration to ensure long-term adoption.

2024

Application of Augmented Reality to Support Manufacturing Resilience

Authors
Ramalho, FR; Moreno, T; Soares, AL; Almeida, AH; Oliveira, M;

Publication
FLEXIBLE AUTOMATION AND INTELLIGENT MANUFACTURING: ESTABLISHING BRIDGES FOR MORE SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS, FAIM 2023, VOL 2

Abstract
European industrial value chains and manufacturing companies have recently faced critical challenges imposed by disruptive events related to the pandemic and associated social/political problems. Many European manufacturing industries have already recognized the importance of digitalization to increase manufacturing systems' autonomy and, consequently, become more resilient to adapt to new contexts and environments. Augmented reality (AR) is one of the emerging technologies associated with the European Industry 5.0 initiative, responsible for increasing human-machine interactions, promoting resilience through decision-making, and flexibility to deal with variability and unexpected events. However, the application and benefits of AR in increasing manufacturing resilience are still poorly perceived by academia and by European Manufacturing companies. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to contribute to the state of the art by relating the application of AR with current industrial processes towards manufacturing systems resilience. In order to cope with this objective, the industrial resilience and augmented human worker concepts are first presented. Then, through an exploratory study involving different manufacturing companies, a list of relevant disruptive events is compiled, as well as a proposal with specific ideas and functionalities on how AR can be applied to address them. In conclusion, this research work highlights the importance of AR in coping mainly with disruptive events related to Human Workforce Management and Market/Sales Management. The AR application ideas shared a common thread of availability and delivery of information to the worker at the right time, place, and format, acting on the standardization and flexibility of the work to support manufacturing resilience.

2022

Recommendation Tool for Use of Immersive Learning Environments

Authors
Morgado, L; Torres, M; Beck, D; Torres, F; Almeida, A; Simões, A; Ramalho, F; Coelho, A;

Publication
8th International Conference of the Immersive Learning Research Network, iLRN 2022, Vienna, Austria, May 30 - June 4, 2022

Abstract
In the field of immersive learning, instructors often find it challenging to match their pedagogical approaches and content knowledge with specific technologies. Unfortunately, this usually results in either a lack of technology use or inappropriate use of some technologies. Teachers and trainers wishing to use immersive learning environments face a diversity of technological and pedagogical alternatives. To scaffold educators in their planning of immersive learning educational activities, we devised a recommendation tool, which maps educational context variables to the dimensions of immersion and uses educators' contexts to identify the closest educational uses. Sample educational activities for those uses are then presented, for various types of educational methodologies. Educators can use these samples to plan their educational activities in line with their current resources or to innovate by pursuing entirely different approaches.

2021

Immersive Systems in Human-Centered Manufacturing: The Informational Dimension

Authors
Ramalho, FR; Soares, AL; Almeida, AH;

Publication
BOOSTING COLLABORATIVE NETWORKS 4.0: 21ST IFIP WG 5.5 WORKING CONFERENCE ON VIRTUAL ENTERPRISES, PRO-VE 2020

Abstract
The rise of smart manufacturing environments, characterized by high quantity of data/information available, contributes to a growing interest and research towards the use of immersive technologies not only in factories but also across entire value chains. New immersive technologies and devices are being developed to improve cooperation within Collaborative Networks (CNs), especially in the human-machine hybrid networks context. The application of these technologies in such complex environments expands substantially the modes how information is delivered and used, which may exacerbate one of the oldest problems of cognitive ergonomics: information overload. Therefore, this work presents applications of immersive technologies in manufacturing into the perspective of "information work" and "immersive human-centered manufacturing systems". A framework is proposed to be developed in a FabLab to understand the worker needs and interactions. This FabLab aims to demonstrate the potential/real application of immersive technologies, towards the enhancement of the human worker cognitive capabilities.

2019

Providing industry 4.0 technologies: The case of a production technology cluster

Authors
Dalmarco, G; Ramalho, FR; Barros, AC; Soares, AL;

Publication
Journal of High Technology Management Research

Abstract
The concept of industry 4.0 (i4.0) encompasses the integration of different technologies into an autonomous, knowledge- and sensor-based, self-regulating production system. Our objective is to synthesize which are the challenges and opportunities of adopting i4.0 from the perspective of technology provider companies. A single-case research was conducted with ten companies at the Portuguese Production Technologies Cluster. Based on i4.0 technologies – Augmented reality; Additive Manufacturing; Big Data; Cloud Computing; Cyber-Physical Systems; Cybersecurity; Smart Robotics; Simulation; and System Integration – interviewees mentioned that the main adoption challenges are the analysis of data generated, integration of new technologies with available equipment and workforce, and computational limitations. The main opportunities are improvements in: efficiency; flexibility; productivity; cybersecurity; quality of products and services; and decision process due to data analysis. Interviewees have also foreseen changes in company's business model through the integration of internal resources with complementary activities of their partners and other cluster companies. © 2019 Elsevier Inc.