Section: Application Domains

VR and Ergonomics

The design of workstations nowadays tends to include assessment steps in a Virtual Environment (VE) to evaluate ergonomic features. This approach is more cost-effective and convenient since working directly on the Digital Mock-Up (DMU) in a VE is preferable to constructing a real physical mock-up in a Real Environment (RE). This is substantiated by the fact that a Virtual Reality (VR) set-up can be easily modified, enabling quick adjustments of the workstation design. Indeed, the aim of integrating ergonomics evaluation tools in VEs is to facilitate the design process, enhance the design efficiency, and reduce the costs.

The development of such platforms asks for several improvements in the field of motion analysis and VR. First, interactions have to be as natural as possible to properly mimic the motions performed in real environments. Second, the fidelity of the simulator also needs to be correctly evaluated. Finally, motion analysis tools have to be able to provide in real-time biomechanics quantities usable by ergonomists to analyse and improve the working conditions.