Title: Universal accessibility assessments through virtual interactive design

Authors: Kang Li, Vincent G. Duffy, Li Zheng

Addresses: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, USA. ' Purdue University, Schools of Industrial Engineering and Agricultural and Biological Engineering, USA. ' Tsinghua University, Department of Industrial Engineering, China

Abstract: This study introduced a real-time virtual interactive design methodology for justifying human-machine interface design modifications. Reaching behaviour was examined with participants from the general population ranging from 5th to 95th percentile who were accessing an Automatic Teller Machine while seated in a wheelchair. Product height and task were independent variables. Subjective comfort ratings, objective comfort measures and electromyography were dependent variables. The results of a test of twelve subjects showed that the height of the product affects the subjective comfort level and can be detected through motion capture data imported into the computer-aided ergonomics assessment software called JACK™. The JACK comfort analysis tool is based on joint angles and is compared to subjective measures. This study demonstrates that additional focus should be given to verification and validation in digital human modelling, based on the current capabilities and limitations in the technologies that were observed.

Keywords: computer-aided ergonomics; design for all; digital human modelling; human factors; inclusive design; product design; seated reaching; comfort level; universal accessibility; validation; virtual interactive design; simulation; human-machine interface; reach behaviour; motion capture; motion analysis; disabled; wheelchair reach; ATM use; automatic teller machines; limited mobility.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHFMS.2006.011682

International Journal of Human Factors Modelling and Simulation, 2006 Vol.1 No.1, pp.52 - 68

Published online: 14 Dec 2006 *

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