Ergonomic Evaluation of Console Chairs for a Weapon Locating Radar

Abstract

The present study is intended to evaluate the usability of a console chair for a weapon locating radar by comparing with different kinds of chair design. Console chairs need to be ergonomically designed to reduce physical workload of operators and improve mission capability; few studies have been reported which systematically evaluate usability of military console chairs. Ergonomic design of a console chair, a bus seat, and an office chair was evaluated in terms of headrest, seatback, seatpan, armrest, and controller on a 7-point scale. Ten males in their 20s and 30s were recruited considering the demographic characteristics of console operators. The satisfaction scores of the console chair for headrest, seatback, and seatpan were significantly higher than those of the bus seat (mean difference; MD = 0.9) and office chair ( MD = 1.3). Meanwhile, the satisfaction scores of the console chair for armrest and controller were significantly lower than those of the office chair ( MD = -1.4) and bus seat ( MD = -2.2). The armrest and controller of the console chair needs ergonomic improvements for better comfort. The evaluation results of the console chair would be of use for ergonomic console chair design.