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Understanding is, after all, what science is all about - and science is a great deal more than mere mindless computation.
- Roger Penrose
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Projects
Automobile Ergonomics Evaluation
Customer: Automotive Marketing Consultants, Inc (AMCI)
Background
Automotive Marketing Consultants, Inc (AMCI) provides the industry standard for automotive testing
and certification of automobile advertising claims.
Challenge
Dr. Beth Lyall was invited to perform the ergonomics assessment of selected luxury automobiles
as part of a multifaceted AMCI testing team. Our challenge was to develop and implement AMCI's
first ergonomics assessment. The assessment had to be conducted on five automobiles in one day.
Solution
An assessment methodology and protocol was developed that could be performed within the time
limitations provided. The assessment addressed ergonomics considerations related to the
availability and quality of information presented to the driver (e.g. visibility, legibility,
understandability, likelihood of distraction) and the availability and design of driver controls
(e.g. availability, accessibility, operation). Other areas evaluated were the usability of
systems and the understandability of the system logic along with the capability of controlling
the environment inside the vehicle (e.g. noise, lighting, temperature) and reducing the impact
of the outside environment (e.g. noise, temperature, visibility, vibration). The methodology
developed provided easy measures to compare the vehicles on the day of testing; no additional
analysis was required.
Implementation
AMCI was pleased with the ergonomics assessment methods and results. They have continued to
stay in contact and are pursuing interest in further development of an ergonomics assessment
that they can include more regularly in their testing.
Last page update: February 2, 2005
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