Scott Ziolek

Beyond Percentiles: An Examination of Occupant Anthropometry and Seat Design

The fact that people come in different sizes and shapes is an important consideration when designing a product. Anthropometry, the science that relates to the measurement and application of human body size, proportion, and capability, can and should be used as limiting factors or guidelines in design. This paper examines occupant anthropometry applied to car seat design with the understanding of the samples size relative to the desired population, and assuming that the traditional percentiles that ensure 90% accommodation disregard other factors that and will influence occupant comfort and accommodation.

Human Modeling: Controlling Misuse and Misinterpretation

This paper describes how human models are viable methods of introducing human factors and ergonomic objectives into the design process at an early age. Used correctly, they allow users to simulate and analyze potential human-machine interactions saving time and money. As with any model, mistakes can be made. The primary sources of errors stem from incorrect use and misinterpretation of the results by the analyst. The development of three-dimensional human modeling software has only compounded these issues by adding a digital subject, itself a human model. This complicates the interpretation and use of these tools by layering one human model on top of another. The objective of this paper is to highlight common categories of misuse and misinterpretation of digital human models as well as to propose a method for improving user understanding of human models through formal documentation of critical components.