Title: An ergonomic process to assess the vehicle design to satisfy customer needs

Authors: Deborah D. Thompson

Addresses: Supervisor, Vehicle Packaging and Ergonomics, Chrysler Corporation, 800 Chrysler Drive East, CIMS 483-38-02, Auburn Hills, Michigan 48326-2757, USA

Abstract: In today|s highly competitive automotive industry, identifying and satisfying the needs of the customer is crucial to being successful. The application of ergonomics during the vehicle design phase represents the most efficient and effective method in defining and incorporating the customer|s needs and requirements for comfort and safety. At Chrysler Corporation, an ergonomic design process has been developed in order to identify the type of customer who will purchase the vehicle (product planning), to accommodate them into the vehicle|s interior package (occupant packaging), and to evaluate and verify the occupant-vehicle interface to determine if the interior design satisfies the customer|s needs.

Keywords: ride comfort; ergonomics; human modelling; product planning; occupant packaging; occupant-vehicle interface; product design; vehicle design; customer needs; ergonomic design; interior design.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.1995.061928

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 1995 Vol.16 No.2/3, pp.150 - 157

Published online: 28 May 2014 *

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