Statistics for Digital Human Motion Modeling in Ergonomics

Summary: [This abstract is based on the authors’ abstract.] Products manufactured today must be designed for the comfort and accessibility of consumers and the health and safety of employees in the workplace. Since these designs are constructed in a virtual world, digital human models are required for the exploration of designs from an ergonomic perspective. An overview of the ergonomic issues and statistical methods for human motion modeling are presented. Methods for modeling the basic elements of motion and for combining the components of the motion into a coherent whole are described. The methodology is illustrated by two application examples in truck driver behavior and sheet metal assembly.