RESEARCH
Digital Human-in-the-Loop
Injecting Human Factors into Early-Stage Design
The D-HIL design framework integrates human factors engineering principles into computational or virtual environments through Digital Human Modeling (DHM) research. By incorporating experimental and simulation-based DHM strategies, along with emerging technologies like virtual reality and motion capture, this framework facilitates early prediction of human well-being and overall system performance in the design process.
Digital Human Modeling Driven
Within the D-HIL framework, conceptual design ideas are iteratively modified through Digital Human Modeling (DHM) and Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) in parallel—long before reaching the prototyping phase. This approach ensures that human needs, abilities, and limitations are considered early in the design process, allowing design errors or human-product incompatibilities to be identified before prototyping begins.
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Human attribute data can be sourced from experimental or computational methods. For instance, human posture data can be obtained through manual anthropometric setups or digital systems like motion capture, eye tracking, or motion prediction models. If manual methods are used, descriptive task parameters (e.g., push-pull distance, lift-lower height) are entered manually to generate ergonomic evaluations. The CAE model can be updated parametrically based on required changes after each ergonomic and structural assessment, allowing simultaneous cross-checking of variations' effects on ergonomics and structural integrity.
D-HIL design framework applied to the conceptual design of a hospital crash cart.
Human Factors Design Focused
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The D-HIL design framework allows designers to proactively visualize, evaluate, and optimize designs in a computer or virtual environment using Digital Human Modeling (DHM).
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By injecting human factors early through DHM, the framework reduces the need for design changes and corrections, positively impacting overall development costs.
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D-HIL focuses on human factors design knowledge, incorporating both scientific and creative methods to advance modern human-centered design.
Human factors design content scientific and creative methods for modern human-centered design.
Data Integration
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With DHM as its backbone, the D-HIL design framework integrates three types of input: (1) Human, (2) Environment, and (3) Simulation data.
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This data integration enables designers to computationally explore human-product interactions and performance across various "what-if" scenarios.
D-HIL design framework integrates human, design, and systems knowledge.