ABSTRACT
The process of designing products has changed drastically over the past 20 years, with an increasing reliance on virtual processes such as Computer Aided Desi~'ll (CAD) software. These tools have been embraced by automotive manufacturers, who benefit from the ability to accurately model the thousands of parts that interact to produce an automobile. The virtual automotive design process has reduced the need for physical mock-ups that were traditionally produced to support user testing. It is now common practice amongst automotive manufacturers to use Digital Human Modelling systems to replace the early user testing that was traditionally performed. The design of occupant acconunodation in automobiles is supported by the widespread adoption of Society of Automotive Engineers standards for seat and steering wheel adjustability etc. These standards are applied worldwide, and yet the data that drives the standards is based upon the US population, with some dimensions being 'estimated' in the 1960's, potentially leading to poor accommodation of international populations. The following paper discusses the use of DHM systems to design vehicle interiors for international populations, whilst
allowing compatibility with the many aspects of car design that are affected by the SAE standards.
