Kaiserslautern, London, 16th October 2008 – first published in 2002, the annual J.D. Power customer satisfaction report tests not only bodywork and mechanics, but also cabin quality, one of the most important success factors in vehicle construction today. “The success recipe for gaining a top position in the brand and model rankings is the consistent focusing of products and services on the customer”, says Martin Volk, project leader of the J.D. Power satisfaction survey. This is exactly in line with Human Solutions business slogan, “Focusing on the Human Being” – and with its ergonomics tool RAMSIS for vehicle interior design, the company has been world market leader for many years. In RAMSIS (computer-supported mathematical-anthropological system for vehicle occupant simulation), Human Solutions has developed a manikin which realistically images the human body dimensions, postures and movement sequences of human beings. If a new vehicle model is to be successful nowadays, it must be adapted to the ergonomics of the human being - and not the other way around.

Competition factor ergonomics
The consideration of ergonomic aspects in the development of vehicles has evolved into a decisive competition factor for manufacturers. The main problem in developing vehicles to match human requirements is the dissimilarity in human body dimensions: The vehicle must be designed in such a way that the stout, the slim, the short and the tall all feel comfortable when they sit in the vehicle’s seats. To fulfill these extremely diverse requirements as early as the development stage of new vehicle models, Human Solutions developed the ergonomics tool RAMSIS in cooperation with the German automotive industry.

RAMSIS generates posture and movement models based on body size, torso/leg length, hip circumference and other characteristics. The CAD tool is based on data material acquired during surveys as well as on extensive research carried out by the Department of Ergonomics at the Technical University in Munich, Germany. Individual test persons, their postures and movement sequences are measured exactly in Munich and the acquired data subsequently transferred to a RAMSIS model. The postures and comfort levels of vehicle occupants are forecast and optimized, based on simulations. RAMSIS uses “anthropometric databases” in its calculation procedures. Since human sizes and physiques vary from country to country, statistical values are taken from different regions like Europe, North and South America, China, Japan, Korea and India - so it’s no coincidence that the 2008 satisfaction survey ratings have reached a new peak when compared to the initial survey in 2002!

 
CONTACT

HUMAN SOLUTIONS GmbH

Alexandra Lang

Manager Marketing & PR

Europaallee 10

67657 Kaiserslautern

Germany

Phone:   
 +49 (0)631 303-5652
 
Fax:     
 +49 (0)631 303-5700
 
E-Mail:  
 alexandra.lang@human-solutions.com
 
Internet:
 http://www.human-solutions.com