Russell Marshall

HADRIAN: a virtual approach to design for all

This article describes research into the area of ‘design for all’. The research addresses two common needs for designers working towards developing inclusive products and environments, namely, data on users that are accessible, valid and applicable, and a means of utilising the data to assess the accessibility of designs during the early stages of development. The approach taken is through the development of a combined database and inclusive human modelling tool called HADRIAN. Data were collected on 100 people, the majority of whom are older or have some form of impairment. These individuals provide a browsable resource spanning size, shape, capability, preferences, and experiences with a range of daily activities and transport-related tasks. This is partnered with the development of a simple, CAD-based task analysis system. Tasks are carried out by the virtual individuals in the database and accessibility issues are reported, allowing excluded people to be investigated in order to understand the problems experienced and solutions identified. HADRIAN is also being expanded to include a more accessible journey planner that provides accessibility information to both end users and transport professionals. Together, HADRIAN allows more informed choices to be made either in travelling, or in the designing of products and environments.

Virtual fitting trials in ‘design for all’

Abstract ‘Design for all’ embraces the concept of designing products and workplaces so as not to exclude significant sections of the total user population. In particular, the needs of old and disabled people are to be considered alongside the younger and able-bodied population to ensure that products that are equally appropriate for all users. This is to be contrasted with a ‘design for the disabled’ approach where the special needs of disabled people are considered in order to provide products that may only be appropriate for that section of society. Fitting trials are an established technique in ergonomics where a product or workplace is evaluated by trials (perhaps on a mock-up or prototype) using a carefully selected user group that is representative of the total target population. Typically, subject selection would be based on age, gender, size, etc., and total sample sizes limited to perhaps a few dozen. A percentage of the population accommodated by the design can then be determined by reference to a set of elemental tasks such as reaching to controls. In this research, the fitting trials are virtual in that computer modelling techniques are used to create a three-dimensional geometric model of the workplace/product and evaluation is achieved using a human model that can be varied to represent the individuals within the sample. There is a lack of anthropometric and biomechanical data relating to older and disabled people so a small-scale survey is being undertaken so that an appropriate population of computer human models can be created. Methods are being developed to allow the percentage accommodated by a design to be determined in relation to a description of tasks to be carried out. Currently, an ATM (automated teller machine) design is being used as a case study to develop these techniques. Further research will eventually be undertaken to extend the data, generalise the percentage accommodation evaluation and optimise the design in terms of percentage accommodation.

Using HADRIAN for eliciting virtual user feedback in 'design for all'

Abstract ‘Design for all’ is an approach to product, environment or service design that aims to maximize the usability of a particular design. However, a key concept of this approach is not to tailor designs to the user in a bespoke fashion, but rather to provide a single solution that accommodates the needs of all users, including those who are older or are disabled. In order to support the designer/design team in ‘design for all’ a computer aided design and analysis tool has been developed. The tool, known as HADRIAN, has been developed to address two critical factors. The first factor is the provision of accurate and applicable data on the target users, including a broad spectrum of size, shape, age and ability. The second factor is an efficient and effective means of utilizing the data for ergonomics evaluations during the concept stages of design. HADRIANs database and task analysis tool work in combination with the existing human modelling system SAMMIE. The system as a whole allows assessment of a design against the population in the database, providing a means to elicit some of the feedback that might be gained by real user trials at a stage in the design process when physical mock-ups and user group selection would be prohibitively time consuming and expensive.

A TASK BASED 'DESIGN FOR ALL' SUPPORT TOOL

Abstract The ‘design for all’ philosophy promotes the development of products that meet the requirements of a broader section of the population, including those who are older or disabled, to minimise the need for bespoke designs and individual customisations. Such an approach begins to meet the needs of a population containing an ever increasing proportion of these excluded groups, whilst providing opportunities to manufacturers to maximise the available market for any given product. Most design activity embodies some form of task analysis that involves identifying users and the tasks they perform. Computer based human modelling systems are becoming increasingly important in this task analysis role combined with the established ergonomics technique of fitting trials, in which a product or environment is evaluated through trials using a carefully selected user group. This research addresses the lack of existing data necessary for the accurate representation of human form and capability in the older and disabled populations for use in these modelling systems. A small-scale survey is being undertaken to collect this important information. In addition, existing modelling systems in this area rely on expert ergonomics knowledge in performing task based analysis, which in addition can be a time consuming and repetitive task. Methods are being developed to streamline this process and to place the emphasis on good design and ergonomics principles as opposed to ‘driving’ the system. These methods involve the development of a simplified process for computer based task analysis and a means of determining the percentage accommodated by any given design. Further research will eventually focus on extending the data collection, refining the task model and look at a means of suggesting design solutions in response to the analysis results.

A systems engineering approach to product modularity

Abstract Product modularity has been successfully adopted in a number of specific industries, such as computer technology and software development, where it provides a number of advantages over monolithic product architectures. This paper presents initial findings from research at a range of companies within the United Kingdom where modularity is being applied or considered to address increasing product complexity and the growing need for the symbiosis of mechanical, electrical, electronic, optical and software technologies in a wider range of manufactured products to meet discerning market requirements. The research identifies a need to address the current application of modularity within industry at three levels: A systems engineering based framework, a methodology for product modularization and the underlying process of modular product development. Concluding remarks highlight the issues drawn from the research and opportunities for addressing these issues.

Holonic Product Design: A process for modular product realization

This paper introduces a fresh perspective on product modularization and proposes a process for modular product realization called Holonic Product Design (HPD). The holon has recently been adopted from Arthur Koestlers work to represent subsystem entities within manufacturing systems and the enterprise chain. In addition, it has been embraced as a philosophy for change that attempts to fashion modern manufacturing businesses and manufacturing activity. This paper demonstrates the holon as being equally valid as an approach to product development. Through research at a number of UK companies, HPD is developed and presented as a structured approach to product realisation. Addressing a total view through systems engineering, HPD provides an accessible and customizable modular product development workbook. The efficacy of the new approach is demonstrated through the initial results from an HPD case study. Further work remains in refining the integration of HPD elements and thoroughly testing the approach through a full new product development process.

Virtual Task Simulation for Inclusive Design

Human modelling tools provide a means to perform virtual task evaluations upon designs within the computer environment. The ability to evaluate the accommodation of a design early on in the design process before physical prototypes can be built has many advantages. These advantages are particularly relevant in supporting people in attempting to design products that are inclusive and accessible. HADRIAN is a new tool developed to provide accessible, and applicable data on people with a broad range of size, age, and ability together with a means of optimising virtual task evaluations. This paper describes the use of HADRIAN in performing a task evaluation, focusing on the underlying methodology that aims to achieve a virtual simulation that mimics a real world user trial.

Development of a volumetric projection technique for the digital evaluation of field of view

Current regulations for field of view requirements in road vehicles are defined by 2D areas projected on the ground plane. This paper discusses the development of a new software-based volumetric field of view projection tool and its implementation within an existing digital human modelling system. In addition, the exploitation of this new tool is highlighted through its use in a UK Department for Transport funded research project exploring the current concerns with driver vision. Focusing specifically on rearwards visibility in small and medium passenger vehicles, the volumetric approach is shown to provide a number of distinct advantages. The ability to explore multiple projections of both direct vision (through windows) and indirect vision (through mirrors) provides a greater understanding of the field of view environment afforded to the driver whilst still maintaining compatibility with the 2D projections of the regulatory standards. Practitioner Summary: Field of view requirements for drivers of road vehicles are defined by simplified 2D areas projected onto the ground plane. However, driver vision is a complex 3D problem. This paper presents the development of a new software-based 3D volumetric projection technique and its implementation in the evaluation of driver vision in small- and medium-sized passenger vehicles.

Enhancing Driving Safety and User Experience Through Unobtrusive and Function-Specific Feedback

Inappropriate trust in the capabilities of automated driving systems can result in misuse and insufficient monitoring behaviour that impedes safe manual driving performance following takeovers. Previous studies indicate that the communication of system uncertainty can promote appropriate use and monitoring by calibrating trust. However, existing approaches require the driver to regularly glance at the instrument cluster to perceive the changes in uncertainty. This may lead to missed uncertainty changes and user disruptions. Furthermore, the benefits of conveying the uncertainty of the different vehicle functions such as lateral and longitudinal control have yet to be explored. This research addresses these gaps by investigating the impact of unobtrusive and function-specific feedback on driving safety and user experience. Transferring knowledge from other disciplines, several different techniques will be assessed in terms of their suitability for conveying uncertainty in a driving context.

Multivariate Design Inclusion using HADRIAN

This paper details the development of our computer based design tool: HADRIAN. Developed to address the area of user accommodation within design and in particular the support for ‘design for all’, HADRIAN provides an integrated database and analysis system. The data element of HADRIAN is an attempt to simplify the understanding and use of ergonomics data by the design community in addition to encouraging empathy with the end user. Anthropometry and functional abilities were collected from 100 individuals many of whom are older or have some form of disability. In addition, behavioural data was collected from the individuals performing common tasks associated with daily living and the use of transport. The individuals in the database effectively form a virtual user group that can then be used to investigate and evaluate a concept design of a product, or environment through a task analysis feature. Further developments for the HADRIAN tool also include an inclusive journey planner that allows individual travellers, or transport planners to evaluate the inclusiveness of a particular route. Together this package of tools provides a richer, more accessible set of data for human modelling and ergonomics design, and a means to assess the inclusiveness of a product, environment, or journey.