Cars Going Supersize

Rising obesity levels mean car makers are having to go to ever more elaborate lengths to accommodate supersized drivers. Mercedes is testing stronger version of the grab handles, so they can cope with extra weight of heavier passengers hauling themselves out of their seats. Ford has increased the size of dashboard buttons so that drivers with large 'sausage' fingers don't accidentally press several at once. And many manufacturers now offer electrically powered steering wheels that lift away from the driver when the engine is turned off, to aid and easier gateway.

Manufacturers are taking a scientific approach to the problem, too. BMW has recruited a group of 800 'guinea pigs' to study mobility in a car's cabin - to help it ensure its models can fit 95% of body size. The firm has developed seats with "comfort adjusters" - adjustable side bolsters that will grip thinner occupants and still be comfortable for larger ones.

Ford and Nissan have created fat suits for engineers to wear while developing control systems, so that buttons can be placed in convenient locations for larger drivers. The suit is responsible for the movement of the hazard light button from below the steering wheel to the top of dashboard.

Examples of inclusive design solutions:

  -  Steering Wheel: Lifts away from driver when engine is switched off for easy exit from car.

  -  Dashboard Buttons: Strategically placed and bigger accommodate 'sausage' fingers.

  -  Hazard Light: Button moved from under steering wheel to top of dash for easy access.

  -  Seats: Adjustable side bolsters allow larger drivers to get comfortable.

By John Morgan

AutoExpress No. 1119

2-8 November 2011

Inclusive Design Toolkit

Probably the world best known INCLUSIVE DESIGN TOOLKIT.
To get through and easily understand I highly recommend to buy this publication I've just read:


Countering Design Exlusions - An introduction to inclusive design
by Simeon Keates and john Clarkson

To see few chapters, samples and examples from this book please follow the link.

Interactive Experiences - Ford SmartGauge with EcoGuide

Designing better drivers






In their drive for fuel economy, Ford recently came to us to help design the SmartGauge with EcoGuide, an innovative instrument cluster for their hybrid vehicles. We came to them with the thought that design could influence driving behavior. Ford’s engineers would optimize efficiency of the vehicle - we would optimize efficiency of the driver.

The Smart Design team worked to clarify the lines of communication between driver and machine. Confusing information was eliminated to make room for meaningful feedback. Our design for SmartGauge has opened a dialog between car and driver which allows them to respond to each other in ways that lead to better driving decisions and, importantly, saving gas. It represents a paradigm shift in auto design and a revolutionary new experience for drivers.

Talk of the SmartGauge with EcoGuide, which debuted in the 2010 Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrids, is buzzing through the auto industry and the environmental community. The business world is also taking note, with several recent articles on BusinessWeek.com and in Fast Company. The SmartGauge with EcoGuide was designed in collaboration with IDEO and Ford’s internal team.

The Ford Fusion was named 2010 Motor Trend Car of the Year among numerous other accolades and has been credited with lifting Ford’s sales numbers by 46% year on year. Our design of SmartGauge was named a Finalist in the 2009 IDEA competition through IDSA/BusinessWeek and earned an Outstanding Achievement honor from the HOW Interactive Design Awards.

Source: SMART DESIGN 

Application of Ergonomic Analysis in CATIA V5 Modules

The current development of new products and improving of the existing is almost unimaginable without the application of some CAD system. Since the products are intended for people it is necessary to pay particular attention to human factor, which manifests itself as taking into account the ergonomics for the purpose of easier and more convenient use of the product, as well as for health purposes - injurious impact of long-term use of the product. The producers of CAD systems know it and integrate into their systems modules designed for ergonomic analysis. One of these systems is also CATIA, which has various instruments designed for ergonomic analysis. Their using can be very diverse and can be applied to design of almost any product, but their use is dominant in the products which are intensively used by humans, as is by example: car. The article describes the application of selected modules in ergonomic seat design and verification of the suitability of the location of the car steering wheel.

Please see the source LINK for more info. 

Ramsis Automotive

Efficient interior development

The 3D CAD manikin RAMSIS is a highly accurate simulation software program for a wide range of design and construction analyses. RAMSIS addresses demands on ergonomics, comfort and safety as early as the planning stage. Latter-stage improvements can be dispensed with and the need for physical test benches is significant reduced.

RAMSIS analysis quality contributes considerably to series production readiness - and consequently to the economic success of the vehicle, since the system uses current, international body dimension databases to supply accurate representative results about product requirements for complex international target markets - roughly 3 to 5 times faster than conventional analysis methods. This reduces costs by up to 50% (Source: independent calculations by vehicle manufacturers).

Analyses with RAMSIS can be applied to completely different vehicle types. Time and costs for time-consuming space-saving tests for new vehicle concepts can be dispensed with. The system acquires and analyzes physical measurement sizes just as dependably as it does with the space, force and vision requirements of a target group. RAMSIS has all these factors flow into the design process - and then actively recommends ergonomic and expedient solutions based on the specific details of the project at hand.

► Development costs reduced by more than 50%

► Reduction of vehicle development timeframe by a factor of 3 to 5

► Optimal reachability and operability of all operating controls

► Representation of human differences through an international group of virtual test persons

► Direct comparison of various vehicle concepts with the same test collective

Source: HUMAN SOLUTIONS

Designing Vehicles for Older Users

Please read really general, but quite useful presentation written by:

Sarah Davies
Senior Lecturer Ergonomics and Usability

Designing Vehicles for Older Users