ABSTRACT
Use of digital human models in computer-aided engineering has increased rapidly over the past 10 years (Chaffi n, 2001; Sundin & Örtengren, 2006). Such models typically take into account anthropometric and biomechanical characteristics of humans, allowing a designer to develop a visual, physical model of the human, called a mannequin. Th e digital human can be placed in computer-generated environments of various types and programmed to carry out specifi c tasks that require interacting dynamically with products, systems, or workspaces. Th e designer receives direct visual feedback and summary data concerning whether the design is adequate to accommodate human users of various sizes, and can modify design properties until an acceptable degree of accommodation is attained. For example, Karim Abdel-Malek, director of the Virtual Soldier Research program at the University of Iowa, recently said of the digital human Santos, “We can ask Santos to change an oil fi lter on a dump truck or some similar task. As he goes about doing the job, we can query any part of his body functions, such as heart rate, temperature, muscle load, and others. At the same time, we can watch him work onscreen and observe any problems he might encounter” (quoted in Hudson, 2006).
