Virtual Human Factors Tools for Proactive Ergonomics: Qualitative Exploration And Method Development

Jorge Perez

doi:10.32920/ryerson.14648130.v1

Abstract

<p>This thesis presents two studies that explore the use of Virtual Human Factors Tools (VHFT), such as Predetermined Motion Time Systems (PMTS), Digital Human Models (DHM) and Discrete Event Simulation (DES). Study 1 investigated the needs and expectations of ergonomist and engineers through a series of explorative workshops. Nine characteristics of concern to participants were identified in the tools: time, cost, training, difficulty to use, trustworthiness, graphics, flexibility, usefulness and report presentation. These characteristics can influence VHFT uptake and application decisions. Study 2 explored the integration of DES, PMTS, DHM and existing fatigue models, in an assembly context, to predict the accumulation of muscular fatigue. This study demonstrated the feasibility of using VHFT in conjunction and that DES can predict ergonomic outcomes such as work-related fatigue and recovery. The study also uncovered some problems with the existing fatigue models, highlighting the need for further research and development of those models.</p>

Highlights

Ergonomics, a term exchangeable with Human Factors (HF), has been defined as “the theoretical and fundamental understanding of human behavior and performance in purposeful interacting socio-technical systems, and the application of that understanding to the design of interactions in the context of real settings” (Wilson, 2000)
With regards to the Virtual Human Factors Tools (VHFT) investigation Nine categories or characteristics of critical concern to the VHFT’s users and potential users group were identified. These categories are: time, cost, training, difficulty to use, trustworthiness, graphics, flexibility, usefulness and report presentation. These 9 characteristics could be used as a starting point for new investigations that evaluate specific Virtual Human Factors (VHF) tools; they could be taken by developers as a guide when creating or improving their products
Improvement opportunities specific to each of the VHFT analyzed in this thesis have been identified, such as the consideration of additional physical and psychological human factors

Summary

Introduction

Ergonomics, a term exchangeable with Human Factors (HF), has been defined as “the theoretical and fundamental understanding of human behavior and performance in purposeful interacting socio-technical systems, and the application of that understanding to the design of interactions in the context of real settings” (Wilson, 2000). The consideration of ergonomics early in design to create better working conditions is done through different tools, most of them computer based (e.g. Shaikh et al, 2004; Fulder et al, 2005) These tools are known as the Virtual Human Factors Tools (VHFT). One of the most frequent suggestions presented by participants in Study 1 was the integration of different VHFT into a single ergonomic project These findings obtained in Study 1, set the stage for a new research presented in this Study 2. The aim of this study is to explore the feasibility of the integration of different VHFT as a proactive approach to the ergonomic issues, using DES as a platform to predict fatigue accumulation under three work/rest schedules

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion