title: Influence of different shoulder-elbow configurations on steering precision and steering velocity in automotive context.
abstract: Ergonomic design requirements are needed to develop optimum vehicle interfaces for the driver. The majority of the current specifications consider only anthropometric conditions and subjective evaluations of comfort. This paper examines specific biomechanical aspects to improve the current ergonomic requirements. Therefore, a research which involved 40 subjects was carried out to obtain more knowledge in the field of steering movement while driving a car. Five different shoulder-elbow joint configurations were analyzed using a driving simulator to find optimum posture for driving in respect of steering precision and steering velocity. Therefore, a 20 s precision test and a test to assess maximum steering velocity over a range of 90° steering motion have been conducted. The results show that driving precision, as well as maximum steering velocity, are significantly increased in mid-positions (elbow angles of 95° and 120°) compared to more flexed (70°) or extended (145° and 160°) postures. We conclude that driver safety can be enhanced by implementing these data in the automotive design process because faster and highly precise steering can be important during evasive actions and in accident situations. In addition, subjective comfort rating, analyzed with questionnaires, confirmed experimental results.
authors.affiliation: BMW AG, Forschungs - und Innovationszentrum, Ergonomie und Komfort, Knorrstraße 147, 80788 Munich, Germany. Electronic address: susanne.s.schmidt@bmw.de.
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomechanics in Sports, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, Technische Universität München, Georg-Brauchle-Ring 60/62, 80992 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Seiberl
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomechanics in Sports, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, Technische Universität München, Georg-Brauchle-Ring 60/62, 80992 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Ansgar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schwirtz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001334:Automobile Driving; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006804:Ergonomics; D005246:Feedback; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Optimum driving posture; Steering precision; Steering velocity