Human Motion Simulation Laboratory

Our Purpose

The Human Motion Simulation Laboratory develops data-grounded models to predict and evaluate 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.

History and Location

The Laboratory was established in 1998 and is funded by a consortium of industry and government partners. Laboratory studies are conducted in the Center for Ergonomics within the Industrial and Operations Engineering Department of the College of Engineering.

Faculty and student investigators from across the University with expertise in anthropometry, biomechanics, ergonomic task analysis, human posture prediction, neural-motor behavior, and statistical analysis work collaboratively to achieve the HUMOSIM research objectives. Major efforts are directed to:

  1. Collect extensive and accurate human motion data

  2. Create models using innovative statistical techniques

  3. Evaluate and prepare models for implementation

  4. Demonstrate the application using case studies

  5. Present and publish techniques and results

Meeting the Needs of our Industrial Partners

Research in the laboratory is conducted in close collaboration with our partners. Ultimately, results from HUMOSIM models and publications are incorporated into digital human modeling systems that allow rapid and accurate simulation of human interactions with products and workplaces.