Real-Time Ergonomic Assessment of Human-Machine Interface Layout Using Virtual Reality Reproduction

Abstract

AbstractWith the rapid development of information technology, the role of humans in complex human-machine systems has changed from manual workers to mental decision-makers. The human-machine interface’s spatial layout affects the operator's task flow and has a decisive effect on task performance. In order to meet the task requirements of the complex human-machine supervisory system, the human-machine interface layout should be evaluated for human-machine adaptability. In this paper, by means of 3D reproduction in virtual reality using motion capture, we mapped the operator's action joint data in real scene to the virtual scene to perform the final human-in-the-loop ergonomic assessment. Based on the spatial coordinate conversion algorithm, the joint attitude data was visualized in the virtual scene. Finally, through the RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment) we completed the ergonomic assessment of human-machine interface layout. At the end we demonstrated an experiment which showed that the proposed method was valid and efficient.KeywordsErgonomic assessmentHuman-machine interfaceVirtual realityMotion capture