Ergonomic design visualization mapping- developing an assistive model for design activities

Publication date: November 2019Source: International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, Volume 74Author(s): Ranit Eldar, Dafna Fisher-GewirtzmanAbstractErgonomic models and techniques are a fundamental issue in the design of comfortable and safe products and spaces. User studies, related to visualization tools are current issues in the ergonomics and design visualization literature. But researchers have begun to discover that user study is rarely straightforward, especially when drawing visualization data from interdisciplinary sources. The availability of a plethora of visualization techniques can make it difficult to determine the most appropriate technique to convey maximum possible understanding.The RT-MHV (“Real-time”– “Motion history volumes”) 3D computerized assessment model, developed by the authors, demonstrates a local risk evaluation of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), based on real-time and on motion history volumes. With the model, the visual display of the WMSD risk level for each body segment is defined by color-coding at points surrounding an avatar's segment, representing an actual user. The values associated with areas with an increased risk of WMSDs can be identified and iterated quickly, so as to determine the “optimal posture”. Designers can share this knowledge by recording the user's postural interactions, defined through the mapping of geometric comfort data and WMSD risk level categories.The challenge in the development pro...
Source: International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics - Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research