Ford brings leadership in Virtual Technology to consortiums.

Ford has been advancing its approach to digital ergonomics work since it began using virtual tools to improve vehicle product development processes and quality since 2000. As a leader in virtual technology, Ford is involved in two major consortiums working to advance the use of virtual ergonomic technology:

The Human Motion Simulation Laboratory at the University of Michigan predicts and evaluates realistic human movements. These models can be used by commercially available human computer aided design (CAD) software to enable ergonomic analysis of products and workplaces.

The University of Michigan, College of Engineering, Center for Ergonomics has created an Affiliates Program for Support of the Human Motion Simulation (HUMOSIM) Laboratory to be operated in accordance with written bylaws and the policies and regulations of the University of Michigan. The concept of this Laboratory was initiated by University of Michigan faculty in close collaboration with a small group of companies who either use human motion simulation, produce technologies that enable its measurement, or develop applications for its use.

The United States Council for Automotive Research (USCAR), an organization composed of DaimlerChrysler, Ford Motor Company and General Motors Corporation, is partnered with the Virtual Soldier Research (VSR) program at the University of Iowa with a $1.5 million contract for manufacturing ergonomics research.
At UI, a team of 35 researchers is advancing state-of-the-art performance in computerized human modeling and simulation. Their work with USCAR will be aimed at helping the U.S. automakers use computer representations of people, called “digital humans,” to design safer and more ergonomically acceptable manufacturing plants.
The partnership will address three large projects, identified by USCAR:

• A study of the strength and fatigue limits of automotive manufacturing plant workers.
• The development and integration of ergonomics tools into “Santos” – VSR’s computer representation of a human.
• The advancement of the field of predictive mathematics, also referred to as “Predictive Dynamics,” to enable Santos to predict such variables as his own walking speed and direction while carrying various loads and while mathematically predicting various postures.