The future of anthropometrics and ergonomics in product development

The methods and tools used by designers have changed over time. This change has also made it necessary and possible to change and update the techniques by which anthropometric data can be used for human factors and ergonomics in design. There has been a tremendous development in the computer industry over the past few years. The development has been in both hardware and software. Hardware development makes it possible to compute more information physically, while the software development has improved the techniques and the number of techniques in which this development can be done. This development has inspired improved use of anthropometric data in human factors and ergonomics in design. The purpose of this thesis is to study and document current methods of using anthropometric data for human factors and ergonomics in design. These methods can vary from simple 2D illustrations and paper cutouts to computer-generated models, dummies and manikins. This thesis also develops a concept of a complex 3D computer-generated model that can be a valuable tool for studying anthropometrics in the design, development and analysis of a product. To explore the scope of such a tool, the thesis concludes with an example of a design process utilizing the developed tool in the design and development of the ergonomic aspects of a product.