Riassunto analitico
Nowadays, automotive industry is more and more focused on drivers’ comfort and user experience. In this context, ergonomics is assuming a growing importance and is going to play a key role in achieving the best performance. Indeed, the modern cars are special environments characterized by a close interaction between humans and the surrounding technologies and the strong attention to human factors. As for Maserati, ergonomics is used to support vehicle design (e.g., layout, tasks, interfaces, equipment, noise) according to “Design for All” principles, with the final aim to satisfy the needs of each individual considering his/her physical and behavioural characteristics. Ergonomics and human factors look at the behaviour of the person performing a certain job or task. Good ergonomic design makes the most efficient use of user capabilities while ensuring that job demands to not exceed those capabilities. In particular, biomechanics basically helps in determining which positions make use of an individual’s muscular strength. The present thesis focuses on the definition of a Motion Capture (MOCAP) procedure to be included in the Maserati vehicle design process to define the driver’s comfort level and consequently optimize the design features and the design of the interaction devices within the car. The thesis started with the definition of an experimental MOCAP set-up to track real users on car or car simulators. After that, it defines a methodology for MOCAP application on tests with users and for data collection and analysis. Data analysis allows assessing the users’ posture by a set of selected parameters, collected by the MOCAP system, in order to determine the influence of the current car design features. The use of a MOCAP system and a structured data processing procedure were proved to validly support human-centred design in an interactive and efficient way, and could be applied also by the Maserati Ergonomics Team for the vehicle concept.
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