Abstract
This report presents the views of participants in a series of workshops on Human Factors (HF) in virtual production planning. The participants, ergonomists and engineers from both public and private sectors, were presented with 6 different Virtual Human Factors (VHF) tools: Discrete Event Simulation, Predetermined Motion Time Systems, Complex and Simple Digital Human Models, Virtual Reality and SIMTER . Comments expressed by participants were recorded on digital audio tapes and by note takers and questionnaires were handed out. Eight main characteristics were identified as influencing factors for the use of VHF tools: cost, time, training, difficulty of use, reliability, graphics, flexibility and usefulness. Other findings included a need to modify report layouts and improvement recommendations particular to each tool. The findings in this report present the initial steps of an ongoing research program with the aim of developing improved approaches to using simulation to integrate human factors proactively into the early stages of a work system design.
Highlights
Introduction to Virtual HumanFactors (VHF)We adapted the IEA definition of ergonomics (IEA Council, 2000) to define Virtual HumanFactors (VHF) as “the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a ‘virtual’system, in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance”.Today, industry faces increasing product complexity, more frequent model changes and shorter development periods
Based on the information provided by participants, we were able to identified eight critical characteristics in all Virtual Human Factors (VHF) tools: time, cost, training, difficulty of use, reliability, graphics, flexibility and usefulness
These characteristics have the potential to act as motivation or deterrent for the use of a VHF tool
Summary
Introduction to Virtual HumanFactors (VHF)We adapted the IEA definition of ergonomics (IEA Council, 2000) to define Virtual HumanFactors (VHF) as “the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a ‘virtual’system, in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance”.Today, industry faces increasing product complexity, more frequent model changes and shorter development periods. We adapted the IEA definition of ergonomics (IEA Council, 2000) to define Virtual Human. Factors (VHF) as “the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a ‘virtual’. System, in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance”. Industry faces increasing product complexity, more frequent model changes and shorter development periods. VHF tools are especially useful because putting humans at risk in the testing phase, ensuring good productivity and reducing times and costs. That “lack of time” means human factors are just not a priority. The result of this is reduced productivity, decreased quality, and increases in operator injury and absence
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