ABSTRACT
Obstruction Avoidance ...................................................... 9-10 9.9 Summary and Future Directions ..................................... 9-12 References ....................................................................................... 9-15Woojin Park
Human motion simulation has been researched as a basic function of computer-aided ergonomic design soft ware programs as it is an ideal means for providing motion and posture data necessary for virtual ergonomic analyses. Various motion simulation methods have been developed during the last few decades; yet, at this time, the human motion simulation technology, as a whole, does not seem to have reached the level of sophistication necessary to support its wide use in design practice. An understanding of the existing simulation methods may guide us in developing new methods that better facilitate computer-aided ergonomic design. Th e objective of this chapter is to provide a review of existing human motion simulation methods. In particular, this chapter focuses on the data-based human motion simulation approach, which has been explored by recent research studies. Th e data-based approach utilizes preexisting motion data to predict novel motions. In this approach, a large human motion dataset, obtained from motion capture experiments, is statistically summarized as prediction equations or is analyzed to identify the rules that the human motor system employs to resolve the kinematic redundancy during motion planning. Also, some recent data-based simulation methods predict human motions by retrieving relevant sample motions from a motion database and systematically modifying them. It has been shown that such a retrieve-and-modify approach has the potential to achieve obstruction avoidance in a robust and rapid manner. Five diff erent data-based human motion simulation methods are reviewed in this chapter. Future research directions are suggested.
