Robust ergonomic virtual design

Since early development phases of a new industrial product, realistic simulations can be performed in virtual environment to study the human-machine interaction. In a virtual lab it is possible to make experiments to assess the ergonomics of the new product with manikins simulating the human body, and dealing with the problem of anthropometrical variation. Although such sophisticated tools are available, there is still need of a methodological framework aimed at efficiently organizing the experiments in virtual lab. This paper provides an overview of the Robust Ergonomic Virtual Design (REVD), a methodology developed by the authors in the course of the last years. It allows obtaining products whose ergonomic performances are as much insensitive as possible to the anthropometrical variation affecting the product during its life cycle. Both the optimal setting of main design parameters and, when necessary, the setting of adjustment parameters, are the focus of this methodology. Furthermore, a new way of dealing with the anthropometrical noise factor is proposed. Some applications with detailed analysis are presented