Anthropometry of Elderly and Disabled with Special Attention to (Wheel) Chair Design

Abstract

The need for knowledge about variation of body dimensions of elderly and disabled is even more urgent then for other groups, because these groups are much more dependant on the quality of their equipment than able-bodied people. The usability of aids for people with impairments is closely related to the proper application of anthropometry. This means for example that the right anthropometric data is taken for the target population and that the prototype is tested before being produced.

For both parts in the design process our AIS (Anthropometric Information System) software should assist. It consists of an easy interface to receive the right hints at the right place in the design process as described before. AIS forces to choose a target population to design for and gives feedback about the excluded percentage of users through every design decision.

This paper describes how products like wheelchairs can be improved with the use of feedforward and feedback about the critical steps in the anthropometrical design process.

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