VICON D1 3 Finalvicon-project.eu/.../uploads/2013/06/VICON_D1_3_Final.pdf · 2013-08-20 · MMH...

Virtual users in a human-centred design process of 58

eProject Number: 248294

VICON Virtual User Concept for Inclusive Design of Consumer Products and

User Interfaces

Deliverable Report

D1.3: Virtual users in a human-centred design process

Deliverable number D1.3 Deliverable title Virtual users in a human-centred design process Version Final Status within consortium DRAFT: - FOR APPROVAL: X - APPROVED: Due date of deliverable (month) MONTH 10 (30/10/2010) Actual submission date 24/11/2010 Start date of project 01/01/2010 Duration of the project 30 months

Work Package 1

Task 1.1

Leader for this deliverable FIT

Other contributing partners RNID, NCBI, UoB, DORO, ARCELIK

Author Yehya Mohamad, Barbara Schmidt-Belz

Quality reviewer Michael Lawo, Patrick Klein, Pierre Kirisci

Deliverable abstract

This deliverable gives an overview about the state of the art in approaches related to Virtual users in a human-centred design process. Early in VICON, related approaches were identified, analysed and evaluated. The goal was to identify what VICON can learn from other projects and approaches, where VICON is different, and where VICON can improve the state of the art.

Project co-funded by the European Commission

DISSEMINATION LEVEL PU Public X

PP Restricted to other programme participants (including the Commission Services)

RE Restricted to a group specified by the consortium (including the Commission Services)

CO Confidential, only for members of the consortium (including the Commission Services)


PROPRIETARY RIGHTS STATEMENT

This document contains information, which is proprietary to the VICON consortium. Neither this document nor the information contained herein shall be used, duplicated or communicated by any means to any third party, in whole or in parts, except with the prior written consent of the VICON consortium. This restriction legend shall not be altered or obliterated on or from this document.


Table of content

1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...................................................................................... 6

2 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................... 7

3 REVIEW OF VIRTUAL USER PLATFORMS AND APPROACHES ................................ 10

3.1 CHARACTERISTICS OF EXISTING DIGITAL HUMAN MODELS ........................................................ 11

3.2 EXISTING VIRTUAL USER MODELS FOR ERGONOMIC ANALYSIS .................................................... 13 3.2.1 Jack Model ....................................................................................................................... 15 3.2.2 Human Builder Model ........................................................................................................ 17 3.2.3 RAMSIS Model .................................................................................................................. 20 3.2.4 SAMMIE CAD .................................................................................................................... 21 3.2.5 SANTOS .......................................................................................................................... 23 3.2.6 ANYBODY ........................................................................................................................ 26 3.2.7 The Visual Decision Platform (VDP) ..................................................................................... 28 3.2.8 Boeing Human Modelling ................................................................................................... 29 3.2.9 OpenSim ......................................................................................................................... 30 3.2.10 Pro/ENGINEER Manikin .................................................................................................. 31 3.2.11 3D SSPP ...................................................................................................................... 31 3.2.12 HumanCAD .................................................................................................................. 32 3.2.13 MakeHuman ................................................................................................................. 33 3.2.14 MADYMO Ma(thematical) Dy(namic) Mo(dels) ................................................................... 33 3.2.15 LifeMod ....................................................................................................................... 35

3.3 USER-MODELLING FOR SIMULATING USER BEHAVIOUR ............................................................ 37

4 REVIEW OF TASK ANALYSIS & MEASUREMENT TOOLS ........................................ 40

4.1 RULA ANALYSIS ....................................................................................................... 41

4.2 NIOSH 1981, NIOSH 1991 ..................................................................................... 41 4.2.1 NIOSH 1981..................................................................................................................... 42 4.2.2 NIOSH 1991..................................................................................................................... 42

4.3 SNOOK AND CIRIELLO ................................................................................................ 42 4.3.1 Push/Pull analysis ............................................................................................................. 43 4.3.2 Carry analysis .................................................................................................................. 43

4.4 BIOMECHANICS SINGLE ACTION ANALYSIS ......................................................................... 44

4.5 OVAKO WORKING POSTURE ANALYSIS SYSTEM (OWAS) ....................................................... 44

5 THE VICON APPROACH ................................................................................... 45

5.1 BUILD A VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT ..................................................................................... 47

5.2 CREATE A VIRTUAL USER .............................................................................................. 47

5.3 DEFINE VIRTUAL USER'S SIZE AND SHAPE .......................................................................... 48

5.4 POSITION THE VIRTUAL USER IN THE VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT ..................................................... 48

5.5 ASSIGN TASKS TO THE VICON VIRTUAL USER ..................................................................... 49

5.6 ANALYZE HOW THE VICON VIRTUAL USER PERFORMS ............................................................ 50

6 CRITERIA AND METHODS TO EVALUATE VICON ................................................. 52

6.1 AUDIO ANALYSIS ...................................................................................................... 52

6.2 VISION FIELD ANALYSIS .............................................................................................. 53

6.3 REACH ANALYSIS ...................................................................................................... 53

6.4 FORCE FEEDBACK ANALYSIS .......................................................................................... 53


6.5 PUSH/PULL ANALYSIS ................................................................................................. 53

6.6 LIFT/LOWER ANALYSIS ................................................................................................ 54

6.7 GRASP ANALYSIS ...................................................................................................... 54

6.8 MANIPULATE ANALYSIS ............................................................................................... 54

6.9 COMBINED ANALYSIS.................................................................................................. 54

7 ETHICAL ISSUES ........................................................................................... 55

8 CONCLUSION ................................................................................................ 56

9 REFERENCES ................................................................................................. 57


List of figures

FIGURE 1: GENERAL USAGE APPROACH OF VIRTUAL USER MODELS IN INCLUSIVE DESIGN .................................. 10

FIGURE 2: JACK VIRTUAL USER MODEL ........................................................................................... 16

FIGURE 3: HUMAN BUILDER VIRTUAL USER MODEL ............................................................................. 17

FIGURE 4: RAMSIS VIRTUAL USER MODEL ...................................................................................... 21

FIGURE 5: SAMMIE CAD VIRTUAL USER MODEL ............................................................................... 22

FIGURE 6: SANTOS VIRTUAL USER MODEL ..................................................................................... 23

FIGURE 7: SANTOS HAND MODEL .............................................................................................. 25

FIGURE 8: ANYBODY REPOSITORY STRUCTURE ................................................................................. 26

FIGURE 9: ANYBODY VIRTUAL USER MODEL ..................................................................................... 27

FIGURE 10: THE IDO VIRTUAL USER MODEL .................................................................................... 28

FIGURE 11: BOING VIRTUAL USER MODEL ....................................................................................... 30

FIGURE 12: OPENSIM VIRTUAL USER MODEL .................................................................................... 31

FIGURE 13: HUMANCAD VIRTUAL USER MODEL ................................................................................ 32

FIGURE 14: MAKEHUMAN VIRTUAL USER ........................................................................................ 33

FIGURE 15: MADYMO WORKPLACE ............................................................................................. 34

FIGURE 16: LIFEMOD VIRTUAL USER ............................................................................................. 35

FIGURE 17: OVERVIEW VICON PROCESS ....................................................................................... 45

FIGURE 18: OVERVIEW OF THE VICON APPROACH ...................................................................... 46

List of tables

TABLE 1: OVERVIEW OF EXISTING VIRTUAL USER SYSTEMS .................................................................... 15

TABLE 2: OVERVIEW OF THE MAIN COMPONENTS OF A USER MODEL .......................................................... 38

TABLE 3: OVERVIEW OF DATABASES OF HUMAN BODY MEASUREMENTS ....................................................... 39


Abbreviation Definition

ADA Americans Disabilities Act

API Application Programming Interface

ICF International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health

VU Virtual user

DHM Digital Human Model

RULA Rapid Upper Limb Assessment

NIOSH National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

NHANES National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

ANSUR U.S. Army Anthropometry Survey (ANSUR)

CAD Computer Aided Design

SAE Society of Automotive Engineers

MMH Manual material handling

1 Executive Summary

This document describes existing virtual user platforms, their properties, features and application

areas. It contains descriptions of underlying models and databases as well analysis tools, which are

utilized in such models. A specification of the VICON virtual user model approach is outlined based

on scenarios described in D1.1, then an evaluation plan that includes the VICON evaluation

methodology aspects, has been included. The focus lies on how to validate the VICON virtual user

model for product design for impaired users. This task has two stages the initial one include a survey

about the state of the art of virtual user platforms and a second stage specifying the VICON

evaluation methodology.


2 Introduction

This Deliverable comprises the output of a study of existing virtual user models and virtual user model-based approaches in combination with CAD design tools.

Additionally this Deliverable deals with the development of a methodological framework for the description of an evaluation scheme for the VICON “virtual user laboratory”.

Understanding and incorporating the requirements of persons suffering from physical impairments will only be achieved when designers are able to see more clearly the impact of specifications and design decisions, regarding the accessibility of their envisaged products. Simulation of the causes and levels of design exclusion using virtual users has the potential to provide such insight. The objectives of this deliverable cover the presentation of:

• existing approaches in the area of human factors in workplace and product design

• task analysis equations and tools to identify design problems to avoid the causes of less usable or inaccessible designs

• additional analysis types and extensions to demonstrate the VICON objectives in relation to designing mobile phones and washing machines

The envisaged beneficiary user group in VICON is represented by users with mild to moderate physical impairments. The intention behind the project is to come up with a design support tool in order to highlight areas of particular accessibility issues during the design process of a product before the realisation of any hardware prototypes. This approach incorporates a user capability range that does not cover the “average user”, thus takes into account multiple combinations of disabilities.

The focus in VICON lies on the user interface of the product, and subsequently touches the issue of interaction of persons with physical impairments with consumer products. This plays a crucial role in determining how well a particular consumer product is accessible and suitable for use by elderly and disabled persons. Generally, how a human will behave and interact in relation to a product or system is particularly difficult to predict. Yet, usability or accessibility issues traditionally have been often addressed by intuition or “gut feeling”. Usually, real tests are performed after the product or system can be changed easily under consideration of keeping the costs low. Very often this results in the decision by the design teams of rather neglecting the accessibility demands on such products.

Designers therefore need support by simulating the interface between users and a consumer product from the earliest stages of the design and engineering processes. Evaluating alternatives from an accessibility standpoint, when it is still relative inexpensive to change the design, can improve the accessibility features of the product [1]. VICON strives to provide such a support from the initial


stages until the beginning of the prototyping and production phases i.e. idea fining and scratch phase of the design process.

The approach pursued in VICON has the potential of providing an in-depth understanding of crucial problems encountered by designing for all including elderly and disabled persons; this will support designers to incorporate the requirements of users suffering from physical disabilities, without putting the burden on the designers to know a lot about the different disabilities and their grades and combinations, and how to compensate them by applying specific design patterns [9].

Looking at contemporary virtual user models, a lot of existing approaches were identified - ranging from figures used to create cartoons and simple games to avatars used in second life and alike. Only the approach of the so called digital human models based on anthropometrical data are suitable for serious simulation and can meet the ambitious goals of the accessibility evaluation of user interfaces of consumer products at the early stage of the development process.

There is neither a common framework, nor a common understanding of how elements involved in the creation, development, and interaction of Virtual user features are done [1]. Therefore, there is a need for describing of (1) existing resources (2) Virtual users composition and features (3) the different levels/fields of knowledge comprehended.

Investigations of existing systems, approaches and models were based on literature review and upon the experience with a couple of the virtual user systems, which were accessible as public test versions or accessible based upon a special agreement with the vendor. Another source of information was based upon currently ongoing or terminated EU funded research projects in the same area, such as the VAALID and the Aegis projects. The main differences of existing projects compared to VICON were (1) the direct user target group, which comprehends here designers and not the beneficiaries themselves (2) the focus on specific target devices, which are in VICON washing machines and mobile phones, where the user requirements were analysed in the VICON deliverable D1.1. Available experience with the use of virtual users has been analysed in order to base the VICON approach on a foundation of past experiences, and derive an improved methodology. Starting with a thorough study of literature of virtual user approaches, this will infer requirements and best-practice for the VICON approach of using virtual user models. The virtual users will be modelled in a hierarchical way, one level describing a target user group in a more general way, the next level modelling instantiations as “virtual users” explicitly. This will also serve traditional methods, such as scenario-based analysis, while allowing comparing them with Virtual Reality-based methods. Benefits of such virtual user models strongly depend on two qualities: (1) The validity of the user model, i.e. the match between model and reality (2) its capability to predict the user behaviour correctly. Further, the flexibility of the


virtual user model i.e. its capability to apply the model during all phases of the design process [9].


3 Review of Virtual user platforms and approaches

In this section several existing virtual user systems will be analysed and compared. A virtual user concept is commonly utilized for ergonomic analysis in vehicle and workplace design in the automotive industry. It is usually used to validate the design in a simulation environment, check in a loop if the design is suitable, refine it considering recommendations and best practices and finally, when found suitable produce a prototype to be checked by end users (see Figure 1). More rarely are the tools applied in the evaluation of consumer product designs and even less for usability and accessibility of consumer product’s interfaces, although having similar objectives for user-centred design processes.

Figure 1: General usage approach of virtual user models in inclusive design

In the area of accessibility only one case study was identified, which is the HADRIAN system based on the SAMMIE CAD [28], which tried to detect accessibility issues during the interaction between users and ATM machines. Virtual user systems for the purpose of validation of product and workplace design are based upon anthropometry, joint range of motion, description and appearance of the virtual user customised to meet the requirements of the task at hand. Virtual user models (Digital human models) are as mentioned above already established tools in many companies for specific analysis tasks in product design or in process design and development. In this survey we have gathered information about the state of the art of models used in CAD (Computer Aided Design) and PLM (Product lifecycle Management) systems. We will depict important features of individual models as well in the conclusion section (See


section 8] as a summary assessment about the advantages and disadvantages of them.

In the past many important software models were created such as Anthropos BoeMan (1969), CyberMan (1988), Franky (1988), CombiMan (1988), ERGOMan (1988), TEMPUS (1988), CrewChief (1990), ErgoMAX (1998), Ergo (1998) or Safework (Safework 2000). Many of these models were developed as standalone models or were partially merged or integrated into other models 33].

Today’s Virtual User Models are three-dimensional, model-like images of Reality. The first attempts to develop Virtual User Models began in the 1960’s of the 20th century when the digitization of two-dimensional anthropometric models became available. In the early years and decades many research groups from both industry as well from universities followed their own approaches, because the costs of the realisation of such models were comparatively low. The concepts here ranged from a representation of a human as simple Composition polygonal main body of the modelling from many horizontal layers up to the representation of a variety of stapled balls.

The further developments were mostly driven by specific requirements from the industry. The majority of these models were mainly developed for the areas of aerospace and design of airplanes, where training and experiments on real tasks were mostly expensive or impossible; therefore they had to be simulated and one element of such simulations were Virtual User Models. In the further course - mainly in the 1980s - the features of today's Human models became more mature. Some special solutions were used and improved others were just redesigned, but the actual human models have been more versatile and comprehensive in their functions. This led to the fact that the number of models has decreased, because the effort to create new models has become much more complicated 33].

3.1 Characteristics of existing digital human models

The mean characteristics of existing virtual user models include a definition of the physical environment, a definition of virtual users segregated into segments and joints or links, and that the virtual users should perform the analysis with a reasonable posture. Furthermore a generic process for virtual user model analysis includes the following major steps: understanding the task, understanding the work environment, understanding the user population, understanding the limits of the software used, performing the analysis, analyzing and applying judgments to the results and finally reporting the results of the analysis. The documentation of analysis results also needs to be structured as a natural part of the virtual user modelling process. In the following are the main components of a virtual user system in existing systems [12]:

• Virtual user: Main entity is usually the virtual users, representing the humans who are interacting with the product or vehicle. The existing virtual user models represent the human body as e.g. a kinematic system, a series of links connected by rotational degrees of freedom (DOF) that


collectively represent musculoskeletal joints such as the wrist, elbow, vertebra, or shoulder. The basic skeleton of the model is described usually in terms of kinematics. In this sense, a human body is essentially a series of links connected by kinematic revolute joints. Each DOF corresponds to one kinematic revolute joint, and these revolute joints can be combined to model various musculoskeletal joints. Standard set-ups are usually made available, so that the designer can select from a list of existing stereotypes of virtual users such as: customer type, power plant worker type and manager type. It is also possible to specify a unique type of virtual users, which is then generated in the human simulation tool by defining the virtual user characteristics e.g.: nationality, age, gender, percent of target population considered and key anthropometrical variables.

o Virtual Users are 3-D, exemplary, virtual reproductions of real humans

o Usually embedded in a virtual environment o They are in the majority of cases enriched with an interface to CAD

Systems, where CAD designs can be imported. § Virtual user systems are able to conduct a simulation where

designers or engineers can observe in the simulation what the VU can: see, e.g. for

o Vision field analysis. o Audio and hearing analysis o grasp and reach analysis

§ tell: o how comfortable they feel o when and why they’re getting hurt, o when they’re getting tired,

• Physical environment: The physical environment refers to descriptions

of workplace, device characteristics or vehicle parts through which a human interacts with the workplace or vehicle by performing tasks. The environment is described in the detail that the analysis requires. Relevant information is applied, such as size in a clearance analysis, and weight in a force/torque analysis. The numbers of the drawings used to create the simulated environment are stored. In addition, simplifications as well as limitations of the environment descriptions are explained. The specification of the environment in VICON will be created in Work package 2 (WP02).

• Tasks: The task is the action that the virtual user will perform. Initially, the task is divided into subtasks using hierarchical task analysis in order to retrieve simple tasks that can be handled and simulated. Secondly, constraints for performing the task are defined. Standard constraints for different tasks are available and visualized in the process with an illustration of a driver with marked constraints. The specification of the tasks in VICON will be created in Work package 2 (WP02).

• Results: In the results, it is possible to attach generated animations, pictures and tables of the analysis to the documentation. It is also possible to write text with illustrations or to just describe results in text. The


specification of the reports in VICON will be created in Work package 2 (WP02).

3.2 Existing virtual user models for ergonomic analysis

There are many Virtual User Model platforms and products available mainly in the area of product lifecycle management e.g. Tecnomatix (Siemens/ UGS) which is using a model called eM-Human. The model Santos was developed in the frame of the Virtual Soldier Research Program of the University of Iowa. It uses accurate biomechanics with models of muscles, deformable skin and the simulation of vital signs. With this system analyses of fatigue, discomfort, force or strength can be done. Furthermore modules for clothing simulation, artificial intelligence and virtual reality integration are available for the real-time system. Unfortunately this model is not available for the research community in Europe. Some other models like the Boeing Human Modelling System (BHMS) or the System for Aiding Man-Machine Interaction Evaluation (SAMMIE), complete this listing. Many problems can be solved with nowadays Virtual User Models. Nevertheless, there are still many unsolved issues which can be developed and integrated in the future, by enhancement of existing or development of in new models.

In the following section those models are presented which were either tested by the VICON partners themselves, or those of which a documentation could be found within the literature regarding Table 1.

Virtual User

Model Features URL

Tecnomatix/ Jack

3D virtual environment. Import CAD files. Analysis tools. 68 joints and 135 degrees of freedom

http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/products/tecnomatix

RAMSIS 3D virtual environment. Import CAD files. Analysis tools. 53 joints and 104 degrees of freedom

http://www.human-solutions.com/automotive/products_r_auto_en.php

Human Modelling Technology

3D virtual environment. Import CAD files. Analysis tools.148 degrees of freedom and 99 joints

http://www.3ds.com/products/delmia/solutions/human-modelling/overview/#vid1

Santos 3D virtual http://www.santoshumaninc.com/


Virtual User Model

Features URL

environment. Import CAD files. Analysis tools.109 degrees of freedom and 55 joints

Boeing Human Modelling System

3D virtual environment. Import CAD files. Analysis tools. 24 Joints

http://www.boeing.com/assocproducts/hms/

Pro/ENGINEER Manikin

3D virtual environment. Import CAD files. Analysis tools. Digital Human Model structure conforms to the H-ANIM standard: ISO/IEC 19774

http://www.ptc.com/products/proengineer/manikin-extension

Makehuman 3D virtual environment. Import CAD files. Analysis tools.

http://makehuman.blogspot.com/

HumanCAD 3D virtual environment. Import CAD files. Analysis tools.

http://www.nexgenergo.com/ergonomics/humancad.html

3D SSPP 3D virtual environment. Import CAD files. Analysis tools.

http://www.engin.umich.edu/dept/ioe/3DSSPP/

SAMMIE CAD 3D virtual environment. Import CAD files. Analysis tools. Accessibility features incorporated

http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/cd/research/groups/erg/sammie/home.htm

ICIDO: The Visual Decision Platform (VDP)

3D virtual environment. Import CAD files. Analysis tools.

http://www.icido.de/e/Products/VDP/IDO_Ergonomics.html

Simtk Opensim 3D virtual environment. Import CAD files. Analysis tools.

https://simtk.org/home/opensim/

AnyBody 159 muscles and 6 http://www.anybodytech.com/


Virtual User Model

Features URL

joint degrees of freedom

SANTOSHuman 3D virtual environment. Import CAD files. Analysis tools. accurate biomechanics with models of muscles, deformable skin and the simulation of vital signs

http://www.santoshumaninc.com/corporate-profile/about/

MADYMO multi-physics simulation with capabilities of multibody (MB), finite element (FE)

http://www.tass-safe.com/en/products/madymo

LifeMod Allows the creation of human models of any order of fidelity, report engineering data, and enable rapid and repetitive testing of designs. Joints: spherical, revolute,cylindrical, prismatic, universal, user Defined. Muscles: three element Hill model, simpler models

http://www.lifemodeler.com/products/lifemod

Table 1: Overview of existing virtual user systems

3.2.1 Jack Model

The Jack-model [6] was developed at the University of Pennsylvania together with the NASA and Transom Technologies Inc, this model is now owned by Siemens/UGS. It provides 68 joints and 135 degrees of freedom a number of analyses can be achieved with it (i.e. force analyses, push/ pull- or lift/carry-analyses). In addition to eM-Human and the Ramsis-Model can be used within Tecnomatix, too.


Figure 2: Jack virtual user model

Classic Jack enables the user to seamlessly integrate human factors and ergonomics into the planning, design and validation stages of its product lifecycle. These features add a significant advantage to classic ergonomic and human factors assessment techniques coupled with the latest visualization and simulation technologies. The Classic Jack solution provides human simulation capabilities, including:

• Task simulation builder, which enables the user to use high level commands to instruct the human model in his 3D virtual product and work environment. This capability facilitates animation and scenario development. Once a particular task sequence has been defined for the virtual user model, the user can easily test what-if scenarios by swapping in virtual users of different sizes or by moving objects in the environment. Virtual user postures and motions are automatically re-computed to reflect the updated scene. The simulation provides time estimates based on standard time tables.

• Virtual user posturing techniques, which enable the user to accurately posture the virtual user models. Jack provides methods for virtual user manipulation and posture prediction.

• Smooth skin virtual user modelling, which employs deformable mesh technology to represent visually and anthropometrically body forms

• Hand modelling, which provides a solution for representing hand anthropometry and other features

• Customisation capabilities, which include an scripting/programming interface to create analysis and interface add-ons that the user can use to extend and custom fit Jack to his tasks at hand

Features 34]: • anthropometrically and biomechanically based • Broad set of anthr. Databases

o ANSUR,NHANES,NA_Auto and Canadian Land Forces • Human manipulation and figure control to create simulations

o grasp and reach prediction tools o position the virtual user to interact with its surroundings

• Task simulation engine and a set of human performance simulation tools


o NIOSH lifting equation, rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) and ovako working posture analysis (OWAS) tools

o predict the risk of low back injury o analyze the time requirements of an operation o implementation own ergonomics analysis tools

• Motion tracking o body tracking and using data gloves enabled

• Task analysis • Vision envelop • Reach envelop • Hand clearance and interference study capabilities • Ergonomic analysis tools

o fatigue/recovery time analysis, upper limb assessment, low back spinal force analysis, material handling limits, metabolic energy expenditure, NIOSH, OWAS, RULA, static strength prediction, time analysis and a new Force Solver

• Occupant packaging tools o comfort assessment, working posture analysis and prediction, SAE

packaging guidelines, pedal behaviour, as well as multiple vision zones including reflection, coverage and obscuration

3.2.2 Human Builder Model

Human Builder 7 is the virtual user model for CATIA, Enovia and Delmia from Dassault Systems [33]. It provides 148 degrees of freedom and 99 joints. The anthropometry can be customized, different activity and posture analyses are available and working tasks can be simulated.

Figure 3: Human Builder virtual user model


Human Builder permits creation and manipulation of accurate standard virtual users for initial worker/product interaction analysis. Human Builder offers a user-friendly interface and ensures that first level Human Factors studies can be undertaken by non-Human Factors specialists. Pull-down menus are used to create male and female standard virtual users. (Name, Gender, 5th, 50th, 95th percentile.) The sophisticated virtual user structure consists of 99 independent links, segments and ellipses. In addition, the virtual user possesses fully articulated hand, spine, shoulder, and neck models to accurately reproduce natural movement, which includes seven default inverse kinematics for virtual user motion.

Features 34]:

• Human activity analysis o Manual material handling (MMH): NIOSH o Push-pull: Snook, Ciriello o Arm position: RULA

• Anthrop. variables: o gender and P05-P50-P95 o all (104) anthr. variables are customizable o correlation matrix for variables

• Extensive posture analysis o (un)lock d.o.f. o adjust joint limits o computes best posture o supports posture data bases

• Vision simulation • Inverse kinematics for motion • Virtual user manipulation • Reach envelope specification • Advanced vision simulation • Pick, Place and Walk Activity Analysis

In the following a description of the main components of the Human Builder virtual user model will be given.

3.2.2.1 Human Task Simulation

DELMIA Human Task Simulation is a simulation tool used to create, validate, and simulate activities for “workers” as virtual users using a planning and simulation infrastructure. Virtual users perform these activities within an environment where they may walk to a specific location, walk up and down stairs, ascend and descend ladders, move from one target posture to another, follow the trajectory of kinematics devices or path of an object, or automatically grasp and pick and place parts in the work area. Users can also establish part relations to constrain specific segments of the virtual user to parts or tools in its environment. Position constraints are also stored from selected segments to selected 3D objects in the environment. Those constraints are subsequently solved to update the posture


the next time the activity is modified. Worker and other entities can be simulated and validated using the process simulation and capabilities, allowing the user to test and optimize multiple alternatives for the work humans must accomplish in a specific manufacturing, maintainability, and assembly environment.

3.2.2.2 Human Activity Analysis

Human Activity Analysis allows the user to maximize human comfort, safety, and performance through a wide range of advanced ergonomics analysis tools and standards that comprehensively evaluate all elements of a virtual user’s interactions with a work place. The Human activity tools specifically analyze how a virtual user will interact with objects in the virtual environment. Users can predict human performance, ensuring conformance to factory standards and maximizing performance. The Human Activity Analysis includes a wide range of ergonomics tools for analyzing worker performance such as:

• 3D biomechanics analysis tools to calculate torques, loads, and shear • Analyzes lifting, lowering, and carrying tasks using NIOSH 81 and 91

equations • Evaluates push and pull tasks using the SNOOK and CIRIELLO

equations • RULA for arm position assessment, with the ability to customize RULA

specifications

3.2.2.3 Human Posture Analysis

Human Posture Analysis permits the user to quantitatively and qualitatively analyse all aspects of a virtual user’s posture. Whole body and localized postures can be examined, scored, and iterated to determine virtual user comfort, safety, strength, and performance when interacting with a product in accordance with published comfort databases.

User-friendly dialogue panels provide postural information for all segments of the virtual user and colour coding techniques ensure that problem areas can be quickly identified and iterated to optimize posture. Expert users can share their knowledge by saving ergonomics criteria, posture preferred angle, degree of freedom (DOF), and range of motion inside a user-defined catalogue. This valuable information can be made available throughout the enterprise.

• Provides lock/unlock DOF • Displays, defines, and manipulates joint limits in terms of comfort,

strength, and safety • Scores postures according to the preferred angles zones • Finds best posture automatically • Supports published comfort databases for postural analysis • User-defined comfort and posture databases


3.2.2.4 Human Measurements Editor

Human Measurements Editor allows the creation of advanced, user-defined virtual users via a suite of advanced anthropometry tools. Virtual users can then be used to assess the suitability of a product or process against its intended target users. Upon user input of appropriate critical design variables, a multi-normal statistical algorithm automatically adjusts all other anthropometry variables to create virtual users that exist within a target publication. This “boundary” virtual user technique ensures that designers accommodate their entire target population using a minimum number of virtual users. The Graphical User Interface (GUI) permits designers to analyze the functional relationships between anthropometry variables. In addition, the user can define task-related critical values for detailed investigation while Human Measurements Editor determines the values’ remaining variables.

3.2.2.5 Vision field analysis

HB provides functions for vision field analysis, which permit a designer to understand what an operator or maintainer would "see" in a task environment. A separate vision window displays the vision field from the virtual user perspective. Lines of Sight, as well as vision cones in three separate formats, can also be displayed. Visual disability or limitation can be simulated. Visual characteristics are displayed as cones that permit the user to gain an insight into the virtual user's view within the virtual environment.

3.2.3 RAMSIS Model

The model RAMSIS offered by the company Human Solutions was developed by the University of Eichstätt, the Technical University Munich, the company techmath and some automotive manufacturers. Thus, it is used mainly for automotive, aircraft and industrial vehicle simulations. The model provides 53 joints and 104 degrees of freedom. Analyses of comfort, visibility and reach-ability surveys and force analyses can be done. Beside anthropometrical databases the scans of 3D-body-scanner can be imported to form a model within it [3]. An interface to virtual reality software is also available. The 3D CAD virtual user RAMSIS is a simulation software program for a wide range of design and construction analyses. RAMSIS addresses demands on ergonomics, comfort and safety in the planning stage. RAMSIS analysis uses current, international body dimension databases to supply accurate representative results about product requirements for complex international target markets. Analyses with RAMSIS can be applied to completely different vehicle types. The system acquires and analyzes physical measurement sizes just as dependably as it does with the space, force and vision requirements of a target group. RAMSIS has all these factors flow into the design process - and then actively recommends ergonomic and expedient solutions based on the specific details of the project at hand.


Figure 4: RAMSIS virtual user model

Features 34]:

• Advanced immersive VR o artificial visual perception o natural haptic feedback in the virtual world

• Virtualisation of a real person o fast 3D body scanning o fully articulated digital twin

• Motion tracking o digital twin acts synchronously to the real person

• Visual feedback o seeing the own body in the virtual environment

• Posture prediction o discomfort evaluation o based on joint angles

• Strength model o discomfort using maximum strength data

• Applications o Clothing

• Engineering o driving simulations o workplace assessment

• Virtual actors o film, art, design

3.2.4 SAMMIE CAD

The SAMMIE system [11] is a computer based Human Modelling tool. It is targeted to designers and design teams working on products that are used by people. It offers a complete range of human virtual users, which can be created to simulate any age, gender, nationality, and body shape.


Figure 5: SAMMIE CAD virtual user model

The system offers the following features 34]:

• Human Modelling o 18 pin joints and 21 rigid links o Anthropometry from (I) a data set for a given population or (ii) as a

set of explicitly defined anthropometric dimensions o Body shape controlled by somatotyping

• Joint movement o preferred comfort ranges

• Evaluation of o Fit: by visual assessment o Reach: by area and volume reach contours o Vision: (i) moving the human-model's head or eyes, (ii) selecting a

target, (iii) 2D/3D maps of clear or obscured fields of view o Posture: comfort assessed by (i) reference to joint angles, (ii) joint

posture with regard to maximal and normal limits or (iii) by comparison with comfort angle data

o Mirrors: flat, convex or concave • Equipment and workplace modelling • Single layer:

o No navigation problems and complex walking menus • 3D analysis of fit, reach, vision and posture. • Reduced timescale. • Early input of ergonomics expertise. • Rapid interactive design. • Improved communication. • Product concepts can be built within SAMMIE or imported from an external

CAD system and rapidly assessed. • The system support the 3D analysis of complex tasks. • The combination of product concepts populated with human virtual users

provides a communication forum for all members of the design team. • The ergonomics issues can be investigated throughout the design process

thereby promoting the 'right first time' philosophy.

Application area include the design and layout of equipment and furniture in public areas, offices and homes; cockpit, cabin and interior evaluations for all


types of vehicles; design of control panels; field of view, reflection and mirror evaluations; safety and maintenance evaluations etc. The HADRIAN database contains discrete data sets of individuals rather than statistical populations. It is considering accessibility aspects of public transport systems and other devices.

3.2.5 SANTOS

The Santos [13] virtual user modelling software represents a new generation of virtual user models that are highly realistic in terms of appearance, movement, and feedback (evaluation of the virtual user body during task execution). Santos resides in a virtual environment with a set of variables that the user can manipulate to effect changes in the way the virtual user and the environment interact. With two different operating modes, posture prediction and advanced inverse kinematics, the software provides a broad range of simulation tools for testing equipment design and assessing task performance. An optimization-based approach to kinematic and dynamic motion analysis allows the virtual user to operate with nearly complete autonomy, as opposed to depending on stored animation and data. This autonomy enables the user to conduct human-factors analysis, including, among other things, posture prediction, motion prediction, gate analysis, reach envelope analysis, and ergonomics studies

Figure 6: SANTOS virtual user model

Features 34]:

o Posture prediction o Muscle fatigue o Clothing modelling o Electromyogram o Physiological systems o Real-time visualisation o Motion capture o Interacting with Santos o Communicating with Santos o Dynamic motion prediction


o Anthropometric hand model

Application areas include Industries, Defense, Automotive, Aerospace, consumer products, agriculture, clothing, animation, biomechanics and life sciences

3.2.5.1 Virtual User Model

The virtual users available in the Santos Engine model are based on real human body scans and as such are extremely realistic. A library of these are available for different body types. These types represent the different human types. All the virtual users are scalable and can be modified to fit different anthropometric groups. They have modifiable joint limits and modifiable link lengths. Anthropometric scaling options are also included, which scale almost all anatomical significant body part lengths. This will also include scaling according to human percentile ranges, body sizes from standards data and the ability to change body sizes to match an individual. The virtual users can also be draped with different accessories that not only move with the virtual users but also interact with the virtual users dynamically, altering the way the virtual users move.

3.2.5.2 Dynamic Modelling

Dynamic modelling is the prediction of virtual user motions under the influence with external loads. The dynamics model allows calculation of dynamics for the high number of degrees of freedom of a virtual user body without using integration. The feedback from dynamic modelling includes joint torques and energy consumption. The dynamic modelling package includes walking, running under different loading conditions (back packs, armour etc), also included are complex motions such as crawling, aiming climbing up stairs etc. The virtual user provides feedback while performing all these motions another first for virtual user modelling. Dynamic modelling would also allow the user to predict postures by loading joints. The dynamic modelling suite offers the user the chance to experiment with different virtual user scenarios without real human experimentation. Dynamic modelling functions can be created for specific custom tasks if required.

3.2.5.3 Hand Model

The Santos Engine model also boasts the advanced Hand model, with 55 degrees of freedom per hand. It also offers detailed posture prediction, contact forces, collision detection and grasping capabilities. The hand will also have collision detection functionality and intelligent grasping abilities.


Figure 7: SANTOS Hand Model

• Modification in the skeletal structure for increased realism • Carpel tunnel calculator force-torque calculator (calculates resultant joint

torque from applied loads or visa versa) • Posture prediction with self avoidance and joint coupling • Zone differentiation • High-speed reach envelope • Variable anthropometry • Grasping capabilities implemented:

o Shape matching for power grasps o Index to evaluate stability of the predicted grasp

• Integration with body posture prediction global posture prediction (location and orientation of the wrist joint) for precision grasps

• Finger wrapping (fingers automatically wrap around an object)

3.2.5.4 Physiological Model

The physiological models will include simulation of heart rates, breathing rates and core body temperature of the human body in response to various activities. Anatomical modelling with real time muscle wrapping around bones is also being developed. A system of muscle fatigue is being developed based on control theory. Muscle strength is predicted based on experimental torque velocity curves.

3.2.5.5 Virtual Reality Environment

The environment that Santos virtual user exists in is a physical genuine virtual reality one. These are environments in which the objects can be assigned physical properties such as mass; inertia etc, the digital human will react according to the physical properties of the object. Objects in the environment can also be filled with spheres, which aid in collision detection and avoidance.

3.2.5.6 Motion Capture

Motion capture enables Santos Engine to interact directly with virtual users and will also be utilised to validate the science behind Santos Engine. Motion capture


is the link that allows real human motion to be transferred to the virtual users in the environment.

3.2.5.7 Advanced Motion Simulation

Advanced motion simulation is a method of using posture prediction to generate motion sequences. These sequences check for collisions with self (virtual user) and environmental collisions with objects. These motions can be seeded with real motion capture data or with generated postures. It is a fast robust method that can be used when one does not require the accuracy of a dynamics prediction.

3.2.6 ANYBODY

The AnyBody Modelling System [14] is a software solution for simulating the mechanics of the live human body working in concert with its environment.

Figure 8: ANyBody Repository structure

The environment is defined in terms of external forces and boundary conditions, and the user may impose any kind of posture or motion for the human body - either from scratch or from a set recorded motion data. AnyBody then runs a simulation and calculates the mechanical properties for the body-environment system. From AnyBody the user can obtain results on individual muscle forces, joint forces and moments, metabolism, elastic energy in tendons, antagonistic muscle actions and much more. AnyBody can also scale the models to fit to any population from anthropometric data or to any individual. Or, it can be parameterised according to the studies in AnyBody to match product design trade-offs, finding the optimum combination of parameters to fulfil a given purpose.


Figure 9: AnyBody virtual user model

With the AnyBody Modelling System the user can:

• Handle body models with unprecedented detail efficiently - 1000+ muscle elements

• Obtain unique knowledge on the kinetics inside the body for a given environment

• Customize models in the open scripting language AnyScript

• Solve product design issues by scaling and optimizing parametric models

• Import data from Motion Capture systems to drive models

Features 34]:

• Joints: spherical, revolute, cylindrical, prismatic, universal, user defined • Muscles: three element Hill model, simpler models • Drivers: interpolation, polynomial, Fourier, linear • Loads:

o Forces: interpolation, user defined o Moments: interpolation, user defined

• Analysis type: o Inverse dynamic simulation: external load distributed between o muscles, kinematic analysis, parameter studies, optimization studies

• Results: muscle activations, muscle forces, joint reaction forces, joint moments, user defined results

• Geometry transfer: STL CAD files as input for visualization • Data transfer: user defined input and output text files with data, e.g. C3D or

BVH motion capture data reading

Applications:

o Aerospace o cockpit ergonomics, safety assessment, emergency task analysis

o Aeronautics o microgravity counter measures, exercise and equipment design


o Automotive o ingress/egress, ergonomic package design, cornering/steering

o Orthopaedics o trauma implants, fixation devices, prosthetics

o Clinical o gait analysis, surgical planning procedure, wheelchair design

o Defence o endurance optimization, equipment ergonomics, vehicle ergonomics

o Sports equipment and performance o sports bars and clubs, racing and mountain bikes, racing cars and

motorbikes, exercise design, motion analysis o Workplace ergonomics

o office furniture design, assembly line research, heavy machinery operating

3.2.7 The Visual Decision Platform (VDP)

IDO:Ergonomics VDP [18] offers a person model with which ergonomic questions can already be answered at an early stage on the basis of 3D data before a physical prototype is constructed. There are only few details published about the underlying virtual user model. With the aid of the virtual user, operator controls can be examined in relation to their reach-ability and how well they handle, positioning and comfort analyses can be conducted and visual areas can be meaningfully assessed.

Figure 10: The IDO virtual user model

The Visual Decision Platform (VDP) from ICIDO is a software for targeted, interactive visual decision-making on the basis of Virtual Reality. The VDP provides a platform for a collaborative work of locally, and distributed teams. It allows for the use of nearly every 3D hardware, like auto stereoscopic displays, Power walls or CAVE systems. The Visual Decision Platform encompasses the entire product development and decision-making process. The Visual Decision Platform provides the immersive representation of virtual products in real time and real size for faster decision making and reliable decisions. ICIDO solutions


are simple and standardized and can easily be integrated in existing processes and systems, like PLM.

3.2.8 Boeing Human Modelling

BHMS virtual user system [15] helps engineers to visualize and analyze the actions required to assemble, maintain and operate equipment. E.g. BHMS has been used in many engineering applications including design evaluation for ease of maintenance and compliance with customer specifications. Customer specifications required that a small mechanic (approximately 50th percentile stature female and 5th percentile stature male) be able to remove and replace a component located beneath the cargo floor of a transport aircraft. BHMS was used to demonstrate that the small mechanic can reach the fasteners and can physically perform the required maintenance actions. In addition, BHMS' Collision Detection feature was used to verify that the component could be removed and replaced without any structural interference. BHMS provides a simulation of the maintenance tasks, thereby reducing the costs and cycle times associated with construction of a physical mock-up and maintenance demonstrations with human subjects.

The BHMS virtual users can be displayed in different modi’s:

• The Enfleshed (type 0) virtual user is fully enfleshed with a 24 Link flexible human spine model with dynamic enfleshment for spine, neck and shoulders.

• The Space Suited/EVA (type 1) virtual user is clothed in a NASA Space Suit. Joint limits are modified to model the restrained motion of the astronaut.

• The Stick/Link (type 2) virtual user is represented by a single line for each link in the BHMS virtual user link structure. This type is useful when display speed is important and collision detection is not required. This display type includes the 24 link flexible human spine model.

• The User Defined (type 3) virtual user allows users to supply custom virtual user’s parts such as heads with helmets, or specialized clothing and shoes. This display type includes the 24 link flexible human spine model with dynamic enfleshment for spine, neck and shoulders.

In general the BHMS offers the following analysis tools:

• Vision & Vision Obscuration Plots • Distance Analysis • Collision Detection using Voxel Point Shell (VPS) • Automated Population Analysis • Reach Accommodation • Reach Envelopes • Static Volume Envelope • Swept Volumes using VPS


Figure 11: Boing virtual user model

Inverse Kinematic Reach Algorithms, Vision, and Collision Detection are used to determine if a specific group of individuals can accomplish the task of accessing a specific target.

3.2.9 OpenSim

OpenSim [16] is an open-source software system that lets users develop models of musculoskeletal structures and create dynamic simulations of movement it lets the user simulating, and analysing the neuro musculoskeletal system. OpenSim is built on top of core computational components that allow one to derive equations of motion for dynamical systems, perform numerical integration, and solve constrained non-linear optimisation problems. In addition, OpenSim offers access to control algorithms (e.g., computed muscle control), actuators (e.g., muscle and contact models), and analyses (e.g., muscle-induced accelerations).

The software provides a platform on which the biomechanics community can build a library of simulations that can be exchanged, tested, analysed, and improved through multi-institutional collaboration. The underlying software is written in ANSI C++, and the graphical user interface (GUI) is written in Java.

OpenSim technology makes it possible to develop customized controllers, analyses, contact models, and muscle models among other things. These plugins can be shared without the need to alter or compile source code. Users can analyse existing models and simulations and develop new models and simulations from within the GUI.


Figure 12: Opensim virtual user model

3.2.10 Pro/ENGINEER Manikin

Pro/ENGINEER Manikin [17] is being offered by the company PTC, it is a 3D digital human modelling solution that is easy to use. Two new modules, Pro/ENGINEER Manikin Extension and Pro/ENGINEER Manikin Analysis Extension, provide ergonomic design and human factors analysis capabilities that can help users to connect their products to the people that will manufacture, install use, and service them. Highlights of these new products include:

• Insert, customize, and manipulate accurate, standards-based 3D virtual user models

• Generate virtual user reach envelopes and vision cones to understand what limitations may exist in targeted design

• Leverage time-saving libraries of global populations and virtual user postures to quickly build virtual user scenarios

• Ensure conformance with safety and ergonomic standards • Simulate, communicate and optimize manual handling tasks such as

lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling and carrying • Analyse designs faster with simplified workflows and reuse of saved

analysis settings • Leverage advanced reporting capabilities to deliver products designed and

optimised for humans • Ensure conformance with health and safety guidelines and ergonomic

standards • The designer can test-drive basic virtual user functionality that is included

in all Pro/ENGINEER packages, beginning with Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 4.0 M060, to see how digital human modelling can improve the product development process

3.2.11 3D SSPP

3D SSPP software [19] predicts static strength requirements for tasks such as lifts, presses, pushes, and pulls. The program provides an approximate job simulation that includes posture data, force parameters and male/ female anthropometry. Output includes the percentage of men and women who have the strength to perform the described job, spinal compression forces, and data


comparisons to NIOSH guidelines. The user can analyse torso twists and bends and make complex hand force entries. Analysis is aided by an automatic posture generation feature and three-dimensional human graphic illustrations.

3D SSPP can be used as an aid in the evaluation of the physical demands of a prescribed job. Furthermore, the 3D SSPP can aid the analyst in evaluating proposed workplace designs and redesigns prior to the actual construction or reconstruction of the workplace or task. The program is applicable to worker motions in three-dimensional space. 3D SSPP is most useful in the analysis of the "slow" movements used in heavy materials handling tasks since the biomechanical computations assume that the effects of acceleration and momentum are negligible. Such tasks can be evaluated best by breaking the activity down into a sequence of static postures and analysing each individual posture. The 3D SSPP assumes the analyst understands the application of the NIOSH design and upper limit criteria for strength and disc compression forces. The program should not be used as the sole determinant of worker strength performance or job designs based on that performance. Other criteria and professional judgement are required to properly design a safe and productive job.

3.2.12 HumanCAD

HumanCAD [20] is a human modelling solution that creates digital humans in a three-dimensional environment in which a variety of ergonomic and human factor analysis can be performed. HumanCAD aids users with the design of products and workplaces by determining what humans of different sizes can see reach or lift.

Figure 13: HumanCAD virtual user model

The new HumanCAD platform continues innovations started 1990 with ManneQuin, one of the first PC based human modelling solutions and was followed by ManneQuinPRO and ManneQuinELITE.

HumanCAD's ergonomic evaluation tools provide data on potential injury risk and postural analysis. Other human factor tools aid in the determination of reach, vision, comfort and fit requirements. HumanCAD is a human modelling solution


that creates digital humans in a three-dimensional environment in which a variety of ergonomic and human factor analysis can be performed. HumanCAD aids users with the design of products and workplaces by determining what humans of different sizes can see reach or lift.

3.2.13 MakeHuman

MakeHuman [21] is an open source, innovative and professional software for the modelling of 3-Dimensional virtual users. Features that make this software unique include a new, highly intuitive GUI and a high quality mesh, optimized to work in subdivision surface mode (for example, Zbrush). Using MakeHuman, a photorealistic character can be modelled in a short time; MakeHuman is released under an Open Source Licence (GPL3.0) , and is available for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux.

Figure 14: MakeHuman virtual user

The current release incorporates considerable changes to the code base, which now uses a small, efficient core application written in C, with most of the user functionality being implemented in Python. Because Python is an interpreted scripting language, this means that a wide range of scripts, plugins and utilities can be added without needing to rebuild the application.

3.2.14 MADYMO Ma(thematical) Dy(namic) Mo(dels)

3.2.14.1 MADYMO Solver

The MADYMO Solver is a flexible multi-physics simulation engine that uniquely combines the capabilities of multibody (MB), finite element (FE) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in a single CAE solver. This makes the MADYMO Solver a highly efficient tool for design and analysis of complex dynamic systems. The MADYMO solver combines multibody (MB), finite element (FE) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) capabilities in a single code. This provides a unique combination of efficiency, accuracy, flexibility and robustness.


3.2.14.2 MADYMO Dummy Models

Years of research and development has led to the creation of the most extensive database of crash test dummy models available. MADYMO Dummy Models are famously accurate and also renowned for their computational speed, robustness and user-friendliness. Fast and accurate models of crash dummies Decades of research and development has led to the most extensive database of simulation models of crash test dummies. The MADYMO dummy models are renowned for their high accuracy and speed.

3.2.14.3 MADYMO Workspace

MADYMO Workspace is a suite of pre- and post-processing applications for the creation and modification of MADYMO models and for analysis of the simulation results. The applications contain dedicated tools for occupant restraint analysis such as a seatbelt fitting module and automated extraction of NCAP star ratings. Create, edit, analyze & present, most of the post-processing tools inside the Workspace suite can also be run in batch mode. Batch mode post-processing is particularly useful as part of automated DOE and optimization loops. For example, batch mode post-processing of MADYMO simulation output could be used to optimize occupant restraint system designs over several load cases, through maximizing overall NC AP safety ratings.

Figure 15: MADYMO Workplace

• Pre-processing: XMADgic for preparing MADYMO models. It includes features that position a dummy model and fit a seatbelt on it. Coupling Assistant enables FE code experts to include a MADYMO model in their FE model without having to learn the details of MADYMO

• Post-processing: MADPost for visualisation and analysis of the results from a simulation to optimise restraint system performance; generation of


scores for standardised safety protocols; quantify differences between test data and simulation results using Objective Rating. Visualise and analyse the absorption and flow of energy between the restraint system and the occupant in detail.

3.2.14.4 MADYMO Coupling

MADYMO can be interfaced with the FE structural codes LS-DYNA, PAM-CRASH, RADIOSS and ABAQUS. This enables engineers to use MADYMO features that are not available or do not have the required capabilities in their preferred FE code, like the MADYMO quality dummy models and airbag deployment modelling techniques.

3.2.15 LifeMod

LifeMOD™ is a virtual human modeling and simulation software solution. Its advanced capabilities and intuitive graphical interface, developed and refined over two decades, enable engineers, designers, and others interested in biomechanics to create human models of any order of fidelity, report true engineering data, and enable rapid and repetitive testing of designs, all while slashing time, cost, and risk from new product development.

Figure 16: LifeMod virtual user

The leading human modeling solution across a wide variety of industries, LifeMOD is used many companies and hundreds of universities and research institutions worldwide. Accurate, extensible, and built on the de facto standard


for mechanical system simulation, MD ADAMS (MSC.Software), LifeMOD is readily integrated into corporate computer-aided engineering (CAE) workflows or university environments. LifeMOD can import complex product geometry from most popular computer-aided design (CAD) systems, including CATIA, Pro/E, SolidWorks, Unigraphics, and others. It also easily imports engineering-formatted data from MRI and CT scans.

LifeMOD automatically produces standard plots of force, displacement, velocities, accelerations, torques, and angles. These post-processing capabilities make creating clear, concise reports and attention-grabbing presentations complete with animations, plots, and charts, a simple task. Corporate management or other stakeholders can now truly grasp the 'what, why, how and when' of a given product’s human interaction and subsequent evaluation.

• Easy to use, self-guiding interface and context-sensitive help

• Anthropomorphic databases for automatic model creation

• Inverse and forward dynamics

• Life-like motion with 3D motion-capture import

• Simple to complex muscle modeling

• Automatic joint creation

• Powerful post-processing and reporting

Properties 34]:

o Create human models of any order of fidelity o Report true engineering data o Rapid and repetitive testing of designs o Built MD ADAMS (MSC.Software) o Readily integrated into CAE workflows o Import complex product geometry from CATIA, Pro/E, SolidWorks,

Unigraphics, and others. o Imports engineering-formatted data from MRI and CT scans. o Powerful post-processing capabilities

Features:

o Self-guiding interface o Context-sensitive help o Anthropomorphic databases for automatic model creation


o Inverse and forward dynamics o 3D motion-capture import o Simple to complex muscle modeling o Automatic joint creation o Powerful post-processing and reporting

3.3 User-modelling for simulating user behaviour

User profiling and computers has already a long tradition. In the last 20 years various generic user-modelling systems have been developed to allow adaptation in different software applications (Kobsa, 2001), and especially for hypermedia (Brusilovsky, 1996). With the explosion of the Web, and e-commerce in particular, several commercial user-modelling tools appeared in the market with the objective of adapting content to user tastes and preferences. The most models contain simple data pairs about general characteristics of the user e.g. age, gender and preferences. Such models are not sufficient for simulation like that used in a virtual reality environment especially for the purpose of analysing of body functions as intended in virtual user systems. The extension of the models with anthropometrical data is necessary to allow analysis tools to produce relatively accurate results.

Characterising the variations of the human body shapes is fundamentally important in many applications ranging from animation to product design. 3D scanning technology makes it possible to digitise the complete surfaces of a large number of human bodies [3], providing much richer information about the body shape than traditional anthropometric measurements. This technology opens up opportunities to extract new measurements for quantifying the body shape. Other approaches rely on anatomical landmarks with joints and links. In Table 2 is a description of features of users and environment usually required in virtual user systems. I Table 2 we list apart from general attributes e.g. gender, age, some attributes usually required for building user profiles

Sensory

• Near-reading visual acuity

• Visual contrast sensitivity

• Auditory capacities

• Tactile discrimination

• Visual abilities

• Sizes/dimensions

• Shape/form

• Colour and vision acuity

• Movement

• Auditory abilities


• Pitch, amplitude

• Haptic-Tactile abilities

• Control resistance Cognitive • Display/control layout complexity

• Language and wording

• Symbols understanding

• Memory

• Speed of use

• Hand steadiness

• Eye-hand coordination

• Reaction time Balance

Physical/Motor • Body dimensions

• Exertion of force

• Ranges of movement of joints

• Reaching envelopes

• Step length and walking velocity

• Step height

Table 2: Overview of the main components of a user model

By acquiring user characteristics and building sophisticated user profiles the simulation system will be able to identify potential barriers faced by the virtual users who are using product designs e.g. washing machines and mobile phones. These barriers may take many forms including physical, cognitive and emotional. Barriers are physical e.g. turning on/off, lifting, closing doors or cognitive e.g. eye-hand coordination and emotional e.g. security concerns of individuals.

There are different methodologies for building anthropometrical databases e.g. body scanning or measurement; all of them are longsome and tedious. In Table 3 is an overview of existing anthropometrical databases.

Database /

Resource Features URL

CAESAR Scanning of human body and motion. CAESAR The most

http://store.sae.org/caesar/


Database / Resource

Features URL

comprehensive source for body measurement data -

Anzur Anthropometric data out of measurement - Anzur - NASA

http://mreed.umtri.umich.edu/mreed/downloads/anthro/ansur/Gordon_1989.pdf

NASA NASA Man-Systems Integration Standards

http://msis.jsc.nasa.gov/sections/section03.htm

Measurement Definitions

ANTHROPOMETRIC DATA ANALYSIS SETS MANUAL

http://mreed.umtri.umich.edu/mreed/downloads/anthro/ansur/ADAS-Dimension_Definitions.pdf

Data Codes Useful for interpreting categorical data

http://mreed.umtri.umich.edu/mreed/downloads/anthro/ansur/ANSUR_88_Codes.pdf

ANSUR Male Data (tab-delimited text)

Anthropometric data out of measurement - Ansur -men

http://mreed.umtri.umich.edu/mreed/downloads/anthro/ansur/ansur_men.txt.zip

ANSUR Female Data (tab-delimited text)

Anthropometric data out of measurement - Ansur - women

http://mreed.umtri.umich.edu/mreed/downloads/anthro/ansur/ansur_women.txt.zip

NHANES III Adult Male Tables

Anthropometric data out of measurement - Ansur - adults

http://mreed.umtri.umich.edu/mreed/downloads/anthro/NHANESIII/Tables/

NHANES III Child Tables

Anthropometric data out of measurement - Ansur - child

http://mreed.umtri.umich.edu/mreed/ownloads/anthro/NHANESIII/Tables/

SAE J833 Human Physical Dimensions

http://engineers.ihs.com/document/abstract/ORRBDBAAAAAAAAAA

Table 3: Overview of databases of human body measurements

Configurable user profiles can be created based on digital human models defined in such databases like those listed in Table 3, with different size and shapes, possibly forming ability, with upper body motion, sitting posture minimum.

These user profiles are used then in different analysis tools (posture analysis, repetitive work analysis, production analysis, production parameters) in


combination with time based variables and possibly standard movements, Shaping features, digital humans are based on database of 3-D anthropometry, Anatomical landmarks (e.g., shoulders, elbows, knees, eyes, etc.) divided into segments and joints Anatomy, Demographics, and Physiology Human Psychology, Physical Environments, Social and Organisation Aspects gender, race, height and weight. The VICON model will be specified in detail in WP02.

4 Review of Task Analysis & Measurement Tools

This section gives some background information on the analysis possibilities e.g. postures in existing virtual user systems. It also describes the general analyses types available in Human Factors or Human Activity Analysis. Human Activity Analysis is being performed before the system actually exists. It determines human and product interaction. For the purpose of simulation in a virtual environment existing approaches utilise beside user profiles used to create the virtual user task description methods for driving the actions of the virtual user. The tasks and their evaluation criteria are usually defined using a task description language and the subsequent analysis uses this to create and drive a virtual user model to evaluate their capability in performing the task.

Upon complete or none complete of the tasks at hand the system usually identifies the situation causing the difficulties and it will then display together with recommendations/suggestions for improvement.

Designers can comprehensively evaluate all elements of user’s interaction with products and processes. The analysis tools calculate torque, load and shear; analyse lifting, lowering and carrying tasks using standardised equations e.g. NIOSH 81 and 91 equations; evaluate push and pull Evaluation of field of vision of a virtual user. Tasks using SNOOK and CIRIELLO equations and evaluate RULA for arm position.

Such ergonomic tools include the following types of analyses:

• RULA analysis • Lift/Lower analysis • Push/Pull analysis • Carry analysis • Biomechanics Single Action Analysis

Some analyses require recording two postures (initial and final posture) while others use the current posture of the virtual user as a base for the analysis.


As soon as the postures are configured the designer can call each guideline individually and apply the analysis. Based on the presented tools the VICON analysis Tools will be specified in detail in WP02.

4.1 RULA analysis1

The RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment) system was developed at the University of Nottingham's Institute for Occupational Ergonomics (Reference: Lynn McAtamney and E. Nigel Corlett, RULA: A Survey Method for the Investigation of Work-related Upper Limb Disorders). It was developed to investigate the exposure of individual workers to risks associated with work-related upper limb disorders.

The Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) Analysis can be used to analyse many facets of a virtual user posture based on a combination of automatically detected variables and user data. Using data derived from the RULA equations, this analysis:

• Considers multiple variables such as object weight, lifting distance, lowering distance, task frequency and action duration.

• Gives the option of adding task-specific variables such as whether the virtual user is externally supported, if the virtual user’s arms are working across the midline of the body during a task, and whether the virtual user's feet are balanced and well supported.

• Provides a quantified set of results noting whether the task and posture are acceptable, should be investigated further, should be investigated further but changed soon, or should be investigated further but changed immediately.

With the RULA Analysis the designer can optimise virtual user’s posture in the context of a manual task and therefore design better, and more widely accepted, products and workplaces.

4.2 NIOSH 1981, NIOSH 1991

Lift/Lower analysis In the Lift/Lower Analysis, the designer can choose between three guidelines: NIOSH 1981, NIOSH 1991, and Snook and Ciriello. These three guidelines require the use of an initial and a final posture in order to complete the analysis. A brief description of each guideline follows.

1 McAtamney, L. & Corlett, E.N. (1993) RULA: a survey method for the investigation of work-

related upper limb disorders, Applied Ergonomics, 24, 91-99.


4.2.1 NIOSH 1981

In 1981, NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) published an algebraic equation for analyzing two-handed symmetrical lifts. The lifting is based on a two-handed symmetrical lift with no upper body twisting, and the distance between hands is less than 75 cm (30 inches). This analysis requires a good coupling between the load and the hands as well as between the shoes and the floor surface.

4.2.2 NIOSH 1991

The NIOSH 1991 equation also known as "the revised lifting equation" deals with two-handed manual lifting tasks. The equation handles a certain level of asymmetry. This analysis assumes an adequate coupling between the shoes and the floor surface.

4.3 Snook and Ciriello

The Snook and Ciriello lifting and lowering analysis tool is based on a study done by S. Snook and V. Ciriello. As with the NIOSH equations, this analysis is based on two input postures. The lifting is based on a two-handed symmetrical lift. The action (lifting or lowering) is determined by the displacement of the load in the scene. There are three levels of lifting and lowering with approximately 75 cm/30 inches between each.

• From floor to knuckle height • From knuckle height to shoulder height • From shoulder height to arm reach • The horizontal distance is calculated from the chest to the mid-part of the

hand grasp.

These equations provide an analysis of the virtual user lifting and lowering an object based on variables such as weight, distance, frequency and duration. This analysis uses usually data derived from the SNOOK tables.

The SNOOK Lifting and Lowering Analysis can be used to analyse many facets of manual tasks that contain lifting and lowering movements. Using data derived from the internationally accepted SNOOK tables, this analysis should:

• Consider variables such as weight, lifting and lowering distance, task frequency and duration

• Provide a review of % age of population that can fulfil the task

• Use an Initial and Final posture to determine the effort required with performing the task


4.3.1 Push/Pull analysis

The Snook and Ciriello pushing/pulling analysis tool is based on a study done by S. Snook and V. Ciriello at Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. This analysis allows the designer to compare actual data for a "pushing/pulling" task to what is considered as a safe force to perform that task. There are 3 steps defined for the vertical height of hands for the pushing task:

• From floor to 25 inches • From floor to 35 inches • From floor to 53 inches

There are six predefined distances for push:

7, 25, 50, 100, 150, and 200 foot push

The gender as well as the vertical height of hands is extracted from the selected virtual user in the scene.

Using data derived from the SNOOK equations, this is an analysis of the virtual users pushing and pulling an object based on variables such as weight, distance, frequency and duration.

SNOOK Pushing and Pulling Analyses is Based on internationally accepted data, it contain many facets of manual tasks with two-handed pushing and pulling movements. Using data derived from the SNOOK tables, this analysis should:

• Consider variables such as object weight, pushing and pulling distance, frequency and duration

• Provide a review of % age of population that can fulfil the task

4.3.2 Carry analysis

The Snook and Ciriello carrying analysis tool is based on a study done by S. Snook and V. Ciriello at Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. This analysis allows the designer to compare actual data for a carrying task to what is considered as a maximum acceptable weight of carry to perform that task.

This analysis considers two vertical height distances of hands for the carrying task:

For males: from floor to 31 inches, from floor to 44 inches.

For females: from floor to 28 inches, from floor to 41 inches

The virtual user gender as well as the distance value for the hands can be extracted from the selected virtual user in the respective scene.


The Carry analysis is based on the so called SNOOK tables: the analysis of the virtual user carrying an object is based on variables such as weight, distance, frequency and duration.

The SNOOK Carrying Analysis can be used to analyze many facets of manual tasks that contain carrying movements. Using data derived from the internationally accepted SNOOK tables, this analysis:

• Considers multiple variables such as object weight, carrying distance, frequency and duration.

• Provides a review of percentage age of population that can fulfil the task.

4.4 Biomechanics Single Action analysis

Ergonomic tools measures as well biomechanical data on virtual users in a given pose. From the current virtual user posture, the Biomechanics tool calculates and outputs information such as the lumbar spinal loads (abdominal force, abdominal pressure, body movements) and the forces and moments on virtual user joints. All the output incorporated in the virtual user models are usually based on research results and algorithms published by the scientific community.

The forces (loads) acting on the virtual user's hands are taken into account in the biomechanical analysis; these forces represent the load of carry, push, lift/lower, or pull, depending on the scenario, and are usually available for the hands only.

4.5 Ovako Working Posture Analysis System (OWAS)

The OWAS (Owako Working posture Analysis System) analyzes work postures. It highlights worker’s musculoskeletal stress depending on position of shoulders, harms, torso, legs considering the weights of the object being lifted or carried while performing an Operation [31][32]. Work time measurement and ergonomic analysis can be used for the effective design new workstations configuration enhancing both process time and workers’ conditions.


5 The VICON approach

The VICON evaluation methodology consists of many components (see Figure 17Figure 18 and Figure 18) and is based on existing approaches of virtual user systems in the areas of ergonomic and usability as described in section 3.2. The VICON approach goes beyond the existing approaches by:

• Accompanying the design process from the scratch until the final CAD design cycle, by providing different standalone recommendation systems for the idea finding stage, the scratch phase and components for integration with CAD systems based on the VICON virtual user concept,

• Incorporating accessibility features in the user profiles, especially audio analysis, which was not considered in any of the existing virtual user platforms

• Developing further analysis tools to assess accessibility requirements in the virtual user system,

• Adding new reporting mechanisms e.g. web based reports and visual responses in the virtual user itself.

A recommendation system will be created to assist the designer at the first stages of ideas finding and scratch design, it will be based on the virtual user model which will be specified and developed in WP02 of the VICON project and the design guidelines which will be as well gathered and classified in WP02. The specification will be created according to the requirements defined in D1.4 of WP01 of the VICON project. The recommendation system will be made available as a standalone application and will provide an API to be integrated into other applications.

Figure 17: Overview VICON process

Following an example is given of the VICON recommendation system as a web based virtual user recommendation system on inclusive design for mobile phones and washing machines to assist designers from the beginning utilising existing guidelines, standards and materials: The designer is planning to design a new mobile phone and wants to incorporate accessibility features into the future mobile phone. The designer invokes the standalone VICON recommendation system and selects from the device list

“mobile phone” and configures from the “target user group” list the target user group. Based on the entered information the system lookups into its repositories

and displays for him a list of existing use cases e.g. from the D1.1 of WP01 of the VICON project and additionally links to existing guidelines like the MobileOK


guidelines from W3C. In the further course the designer starts the Photoshop

application and makes a scratch layout of the future mobile phone, saves it and imports it to the VICON recommendation system. The system then displays more

accurate recommendations dedicated to the scratch layout and the selected target user group.

Figure 18: Overview of the VICON approach

The other component will be the 3D virtual user system, which allows either the development of CAD designs or the import of CAD designs into it and provides analysis tools. It will allow the assignment of tasks to the virtual user. An execution procedure reports the results visually to the designer.

The user of the VICON virtual user model executes the following steps, which comprises the virtual user system:

1. Define parameters, which enable the consideration of dynamic behaviour and interaction between the components of the VICON system,

2. Incorporate task analysis tools, which enable to formalise and structure the performance of a virtual user in a sequence of goals and actions carried out during the VICON interaction,

3. Create virtual user environments, where the designers could configure a virtual environment,

4. Design products in a CAD system, where the designer can invoke a VICON context sensitive recommendation system,


5. Build a virtual environment, 6. Import the CAD design into the VICON virtual user system, 7. Position the virtual user in the environment, 8. Assign tasks to the virtual user, and 9. Analyse how the human performs.

An example of the VICON virtual user system as 3D accessibility evaluation toolkit on designs for mobile phones and washing machines to assist designers in the CAD design phase is given in the following sections.

5.1 Build a virtual environment

In the module “build virtual environment” the designer should be able to import CAD data from various data formats or build models from scratch within the VICON virtual user system, move objects around in the environment, interactively change camera views and create special effects to enhance the realism of the "scene". The designer should be able to create an environment with a realistic appearance; the system will provide viewing, texturing and lighting to help the designer give the virtual environment a convincing appearance.

Changing the view in VICON virtual user system should be easy; the mouse buttons will enable the designer to swing the "camera" horizontally or vertically, and zoom a reference point. Additionally, the designer should be able to snap the view reference point to a specified object, attach the view camera to an object such as a virtual user's eyes, and create "cutaway" views of a scene. With texture mapping, image files of elements such as furniture, interiors, mobile phone or washing machine control panels can be used to add visual detail to scenes without adding extra geometry. The VICON virtual user system's lighting capability will help the designer to highlight areas of the environment and enhance the realism of a scene. Load speakers and microphones will simulate the ears and audio environment of the user.

5.2 Create a virtual user

In this module “create a virtual user” the VICON virtual user system will provide the designer with an accurate virtual user model. Based on body scanning data or on dimension measurements as those taken from the 1988 Anthropometric Survey of U.S. Army Personnel (ANSUR 88, see section 3.1), VICON virtual users will have sufficient segments, joints, sufficient segments of spine, sufficient segments of hands, coupled shoulder/clavicle joints and sufficient degrees of freedom obeying joint limits derived from studies known in literature e.g. NASA studies (Anthropometric Source Book, Vol. 2: A Handbook of Anthropometric Data, Technical Report NASA RP-1024, see section 3.1). The VICON virtual user system will enable the designers to create different types of virtual users. The designer should be able to choose from a menu of predefined human figures e.g. large, medium and small virtual users, as defined in the


available literature e.g. by SAE measurements - based on SAE recommended human physical dimensions (SAE J833) short and tall man and woman – virtual user extremes based e.g. on ANSUR 88 data large or medium (see section 3.1). Furthermore the designer should be able to configure different sensory disabilities in the virtual user in order e.g. to define a vision impaired, short old man of the age of 70 years.

5.3 Define virtual user's size and shape

To reliably determine whether a design accommodates the variability among human body dimensions, it must employ a correct approach to human figure scaling. VICON will follow existing approaches like those described in section 3.2.1, which use different approaches to anthropometric scaling. The designer can choose body types from a set of different virtual users representing a range of different body dimensions taken e.g. from the ANSUR 88 database. By specifying the extreme dimensions for a segment of interest, such as shoulder breadth, sitting height, etc an algorithm proportions the remaining figure dimensions automatically. By specifying stature and weight virtual users are scaled; remaining dimensions are automatically generated using statistical models e.g. based on the ANSUR 88 database.

5.4 Position the virtual user in the virtual environment

VICON will allow the designer to manipulate individual body segments connected by joints that having angle constraints. As the designer moves a body segment of a VICON virtual user, the software determines the position of linked segments and joints. For instance, when the designer moves a virtual user's hand, the upper and lower arm segments and related joints move like the designer would expect a human body to move.

Set the virtual users' posture: VICON will allow the designer to describe the posture of the virtual user by directly manipulating body joints or by choosing from a library of predefined postures. The designer can manipulate a VICON virtual user by moving its head, eyes, shoulders, torso, and centre of mass, pelvis, arms, feet or its entire body.

Specify VICON virtual user’s behaviour parameters: VICON virtual user system allows the designer to specify how a virtual user "behaves" when its movement is controlled, not by direct manipulation, but by external forces. The VICON virtual user will then automatically move according to the parameters the designer defines. For instance, if the VICON virtual user is holding an object over its head and the designer put the object on the ground, the "behaviour control" determines whether the VICON virtual user will bend at the waist, take a step to maintain balance, keep the eyes fixated on the object, etc.


During the interaction between the virtual user and the product, the VICON virtual user system allows the designer to answer the following:

o Whether the head and eyes track an object, o Whether or not the head and eyes hold their position, o How the torso is positioned and how it bends (from the waist,

curling from the neck, or using specific vertebrae), o How the figure maintains its balance and whether it takes a step to

regain balance, o How the pelvis is oriented, o How the arms are positioned, o How the knees are positioned, and o How the feet are positioned.

Define the VICON virtual user's relationship to the environment: VICON virtual user's constraint system enables the designer to specify how the virtual user interacts with its virtual environment. VICON virtual user allows the designer to define constraints between human figures and objects in a variety of ways. For instance, the designer can create constraints that keep the VICON virtual user's lower back attached to a seat and the right foot attached to the floor. When the seat is moved, VICON virtual user will obey these constraints, and the rest of his joints will move accordingly. To define how the virtual user grasps objects, VICON virtual user will provide many predefined grasp types. The designer specifies the grasp type and the software calculates how to close the hand realistically around a given object.

5.5 Assign tasks to the VICON virtual user

The task model of VICON will be defined in WP02. For some types of human factors or ergonomics studies, users simply need to evaluate virtual users in a static position. (What can be seen while reaching for a given control? Do different-sized figures have the same field of view?) Other studies require virtual users to move. What can the VU hear? Can the virtual user reach around an obstacle to remove or replace a part? The VICON virtual user enables the designer to define the movements of the virtual user with its built-in motion system and its interface to VR tools.

Control the movement of the virtual user: The VICON virtual user will provide a built-in motion system for defining tasks that must be performed under time constraints. The VICON virtual user simulation will consist of several distinct motions, many occurring simultaneously, defined over a specified interval of time. The designer will be able to create motions interactively in the VICON virtual user to control the movement of the head, eyes, torso, pelvis, centre of mass, arms, hands, feet, and more. In addition, the designer should be able to make objects and the camera perspective move. After the designer has created a simulation, it should be possible to save it and replay it, swapping in differently sized virtual users to perform the same tasks. Alternatively, the designer should be able to adjust the size or position of various objects in the environment and


re-run the simulation to study changed spatial relationships, timing and clearances. Use Virtual Reality tools to define the virtual user motion: The VICON virtual user system will enable the designer to work with a variety of VR tools to create realistic motions or to experience a simulation.

5.6 Analyze how the VICON virtual user performs

The VICON virtual user system will provide a number of basic tools to help the designer evaluating the performance of the virtual user.

The VICON virtual user system will offer several features for evaluating visibility, reach ability, hearing abilities etc.. The designer should be able to:

• Create Eye Windows to see from the VICON virtual user's point of view, • Create View Cones to illustrate a 'third-person’s" perspective of what the

VICON virtual user sees, • Measure distances between the VICON virtual user's eyes and any object, • Measure distances between the VICON virtual user and analyse, what the

virtual user can hear • Set VICON virtual user's head/eye control to track an object's movement, • Evaluate what the VICON virtual user can reach. The VICON virtual user's

reach analysis capabilities enable the designer to: o Determine whether a virtual user can reach a target object, o Measure the distance between VICON virtual user's hand and any

object, o Create and position reach envelopes to graphically display what large,

medium and small virtual users can reach, o Export reach envelopes to the CAD system to serve as design

boundaries, o Test fit and accommodation: The VICON virtual user helps to determine

whether the design accommodates various-sized humans. The designer should be able to:

§ Position one virtual user, then use that posture to test a range of different-sized virtual users,

§ Interactively measure distances between any two points in the environment as their relative positions change; this helps quantify the extent to which a design accommodates the target user group,

§ Highlight collisions between virtual users and objects as objects move, and

§ Calculate force and torque. The VICON virtual user will enable the designer to compute the forces on a virtual user's joints and segments in a given posture. With the results, the designer can compare the forces that must be exerted to accomplish various tasks. The VICON virtual user system will also allow the designer


to factor in the weight of objects that his/her virtual human is holding and to represent additional external forces, such as a g-force.

• Use animations and images to communicate the designer finding. The VICON virtual user's ability to generate compelling animations and still-frame images helps communicate the designer findings in a way that statistical reports can't.

• Results: In the results, it will be possible to attach generated animations, pictures and tables of the analysis to the documentation. It will also be possible to write text with illustrations or to just describe results in text.


6 Criteria and methods to evaluate VICON

The objective of evaluation of the VICON virtual user system is to examine the validity of such models and to what extent accessibility simulations of interaction tasks with washing machines and mobile phones designs correctly predict the real outcomes of the accessibility evaluation by real users using real devices like washing machines and mobile phones. Furthermore it checks if recommended guidelines originating from accessibility simulations are correctly considered. For this purpose we will use similar or the same use cases as defined in D1.1, created in the course of WP01. The evaluation should be conducted in a professional virtual lab setting by the industrial partners of VICON. The results should show, if the virtual user models and related analysis tools are useful for providing designers easily and without extra burden with useful accessibility hints. When the virtual user conducts tasks, it will measure, if accessibility issues are recognised correctly. The evaluation studies in VICON should identify areas that require additional development in order to improve the VICON virtual user system itself and its ability to correctly predict the accessibility evaluation outcome.

The evaluation will include an investigation about the limits of the concept of the virtual model in comparison to real world field studies as such in D1.1. This investigation is necessary, because of the novelty of the virtual user concept in the domain of accessible design for impaired users as target group.

The evaluation should determine rules on to what extent and detail level the virtual user should emulate real world users in order to achieve optimized designs for the selected user group.

While 3D virtual user models are visually very impressive they can be very useful as a validation tool (e.g., for performing sight field analysis). It is already now obvious that this solution will not replace all real user tests [5]. One of its major downfalls is that virtual user models can not 100% build up the real environment and there will be shortcomings in the relations and dependencies between all the variables involved in the system. However, virtual user systems can play an excellent role in automated detection of many accessibility problems in designs of products. They can play a very useful role in the communication between designers and other stakeholders to explain and discuss accessibility issues.

In WP5, we will analyse the impact of the VICON approach on industrial design (T5.2) and investigate the limits of validity of the virtual user concept (T5.2).

In the following we suggest criteria and methods how to assess the VICON approach in WP5, in particular the validity of the virtual user concept.

6.1 Audio analysis

The analysis methods of audio issues include the configuration of an appropriate virtual environment e.g. a kitchen where the design of a washing machine is incorporated and a virtual user with hearing difficulties is configured.


Experiments should be conducted with different settings as defined in D1.1 and WP02.

Success criteria: The virtual user should display any lack of hearing sounds and signals.

6.2 Vision field analysis

The analysis methods of vision issues include the configuration of an appropriate virtual environment e.g. a living room where the design of a mobile phone is available and a virtual user with vision impairments is configured. Experiments should be conducted with different settings as defined in D1.1 and WP02.

Success criteria: The virtual user should display any vision problem encountered.

6.3 Reach analysis

The analysis methods of reach issues include the configuration of an appropriate virtual environment e.g. a room in the basement where the design of a washing machine is available and a virtual user with mobile difficulties is configured. Experiments should be conducted with different settings as defined in D1.1 and WP02.

Success criteria: The virtual user should display any reach problem encountereds.

6.4 Force feedback analysis

The analysis methods of force issues include the configuration of an appropriate virtual environment e.g. a room in the basement where the design of a washing machine is available and a virtual user with force difficulties is configured. Experiments should be conducted with different settings as defined in D1.1 and WP02.

Success criteria: The virtual user should display any force problem encountered e. g. when pressing buttons.

6.5 Push/Pull analysis

The analysis methods of push/pull issues include the configuration of an appropriate virtual environment e.g. a room where the design of a washing machine is incorporated and a virtual user with push/pull difficulties is configured. Experiments should be conducted with different settings as defined in WP02.

Success criteria: The virtual user should display any push/pull problem encountered e. g. When opening or closing a door.


6.6 Lift/lower analysis

The analysis methods of lift/lower issues include the configuration of an appropriate virtual environment e.g. a room where the design of a washing machine is incorporated and a virtual user with lift/lower difficulties is configured. Experiments should be conducted with different settings as defined in D1.1 and WP02.

Success criteria: The virtual user should display any lift/lower problem encountered e. g. when carrying the cloths basket and putting it down.

6.7 Grasp analysis

The analysis methods of grasp issues include the configuration of an appropriate virtual environment e.g. a living room where the design of a mobile phone is incorporated and a virtual user with grasp difficulties is configured. Experiments should be conducted with different settings as defined in D1.1 and WP02.

Success criteria: The virtual user should display any grasp problem encountered e. g. when grasping the mobile phone.

6.8 Manipulate analysis

The analysis methods of manipulate issues include the configuration of an appropriate virtual environment e.g. a room where the design of a mobile phone is incorporated and a virtual user with manipulation difficulties is configured. Experiments should be conducted with different settings as defined in D1.1 and WP02.

Success criteria: The virtual user should display any manipulation problems encountered e. g. when manipulating tiny keys of the mobile phone.

6.9 Combined analysis

The analysis methods of combined issues include the configuration of an appropriate virtual environment e.g. a kitchen where the design of a washing machine is incorporated and a virtual user with combined difficulties is configured. Experiments should be conducted with different settings as defined in D1.1 and WP02.

Success criteria: The virtual user should display any combined problem encountered e. g. The ability not to see clearly the buttons and not having enough power in the fingers to press them.


7 Ethical issues

It is vital that user relevant information is carried out to the highest levels of ethical consideration for all participants. To this end in this and subsequent work, especially when building user models and profiles, the VICON consortium will ensure that ethical issues are observed, making special emphasis in preserving the anonymity and privacy of users.


8 Conclusion

Within this deliverable existing virtual user models relevant for the analysis of Human Factors and Human Activities were investigated. From the analysis it became evident that only these types of virtual user systems seem to be suitable for an automated analysis of accessibility features in CAD design. The main analysis types were defined, and the required prerequisites based on the use cases gathered in deliverable D1.1, and the requirements based upon D1.4, were established. It is foreseen that the defined analysis types will be conducted in the virtual lab in WP05.

The results of the VICON virtual user system presented visually to the benefit of the designer. This approach ensures that the design teams are not obliged to be experts regarding accessibility, thus they would seamlessly be able to interpret and utilize the achieved results of the VICON system.

In the conducted study of existing virtual user systems two possible candidates to be used in the forthcoming development of the VICON virtual user model were identified. The first one is “SAMMIE CAD”. The extension “HADERIAN” was developed to study tasks for elderly and disabled persons. Here a database with nearly 100 users was constructed. The main disadvantage of SAMMIE CAD is that the “hand model” is not sophisticated enough to grasp and manipulate objects like mobile phones. On the other hand, the Pro/ENGINEER Manikin is a highly sophisticated virtual user model based on standards e.g. Digital Human Model structure. It conforms to the H-ANIM standard (ISO/IEC 19774) [1]. The provided features of Pro/Engineer Manikin are more or less comparable to those (for instance) of Jack, RAMSIS or CATIA human builder. The main advantage appears in conjunction with findings of deliverable 1.2: Pro/Engineer is the preferred CAD application of the VICON industrial end-users. Hence, a quick and comprehensive integration of the VICON platform into respective development process appears to be much easier.

High sophisticated CAD systems and virtual users based on anthropometry may be misleading concerning the validity of the models. Therefore, all features of the VICON virtual user system shall be tested in detail in order to ensure validity.


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