Human movement using a constraint-based software environment : gaining understanding during initial design phases

Digital human modelling is becoming increasingly important in the early stages of the design process for several reasons including the need to investigate human-product interactions. This paper presents an original approach to predicting human movement, and in particular, the key postures, required to perform a particular task. The approach is based on the use of a constraint-based model of a human manikin, and, as such, it can be used even when the designs of the environment and the task itself have not been fully defined. Constraints are applied to specify the task requirements and also the limits of potential joint movement. This enables the model to be used as a means for understanding what postures and movements are required (in the evolving digital environment) rather than requiring them to be specifically given. The approach is demonstrated with a case study based on the domestic task of ironing clothes.