The Need for Faster and More Consistent Digital Human Modeling Software Tools

The vehicle industry is a common user of Digital Human Modeling Software (DHMS) tools, both for product development and production process development. One of three major risk factors interacting and contributing to the level of risk for an assembly worker is working posture (the two others are time and force). To achieve a working posture that is likely to happen in reality when using a DHMS tool is therefore crucial. Realistic posturing is required to obtain accurate quantitative assessments of human performance, as it has been shown that the performance models are sensitive to the postural condition. The need for faster and more consistent human simulation tools has motivated most commercial digital human modeling tool suppliers to implement various posture / motion wizards. However, these wizards are designed for certain types of tasks (e.g. ingress, egress or driving postures), and can not be utilized as a general solution for obtaining correct assembly/working postures. This paper shows examples of where working postures, achieved through manual use of DHMS tools, and discrete motions, achieved through use of a motion wizard, often considerably differ from working postures compiled during VR/AR sessions. This way of working (using VR/AR) is used to achieve more realistic working postures and a further development of the DHMS tools and working procedures should lead to faster and more consistent human simulation tools. The paper also justifies several research projects, which purposes are to decrease the gaps between wanted and existing functionalities.