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Spotlight on S&T - September 2005

DRDC Toronto continues its research into human modeling through its partnership with Safework

Simulation of a person inside the cockpit of a Cormorant helicopter trying to reach the control buttons of a console located above his head.

For more than ten years now, scientists in the Human Modeling Group at DRDC Toronto have been working with the Montreal firm Safework to refine a 3-D human mannequin designed to improve the physical ergonomics of human beings inside, for example, an aircraft cockpit or an assault tank. The acknowledged expertise of DRDC Toronto in the field of simulation and modeling, combined with that developed at Safework, has helped make the Montreal firm a world leader in human modeling.

Under the partnering agreement between the two organizations, the development of a technology based on the study of human behaviour which uses human models performing real tasks represents a major advance in the field of physical ergonomics. Safework has developed a 3-D mannequin on which ergonomics tests can be conducted whose results are useful to civil aviation as well as to the Canadian Forces. And DRDC Toronto has developed scenarios designed to improve the mannequin and making it as representative as possible of a human being, to create mannequins with different heights and weights, and to validate the existing model. This research will enable DRDC Toronto to fine-tune the technologies developed by its human modeling experts, whose ultimate goal is to provide the Canadian Forces with safe and functional equipment for their operations. The wedding of these two technologies has helped build a unique pool of expertise that currently serves not only the Canadian Forces but also the manufacturers of aircraft, automobiles and vehicles of all kinds.

In 2005, the two organizations completed a three-year program aimed at incorporating a model of cognitive and physical tasks (IPME ¹) into the 3D environment of Delmia, thus joining together for the first time two major ergonomic analysis tools developed in Canada. This combination should make it much easier to conduct complex analyses of work stations and allow ergonomic specialists to make an even greater contribution during the initial stages of the design process.

Early this year, DRDC Toronto and Safework renewed their partnership for another three years, ensuring the continuation of their work together and the success of these two organizations at the cutting edge of technology.

¹ Integrated Performance Modeling Environment.