Ergonomic analysis in conceptual design stage using a gesture-based modelling tool

Commonly, ergonomic analysis of the products' assembly processes starts in the embodiment design phase, when the information of the parts and their interaction are clearly defined. This may imply iterations during the design process for making improvements associated with ergonomic issues. We asked whether it is possible to infer possible ergonomic issues related to the manual assembly process during product conceptualisation. So, we integrated an AR-based modelling tool, in which the user creates and places virtual parts over the context in a top-down design strategy using his/her hands as interface, with an Ergonomic Assessment Module for continuous evaluation of the user postures, movements and forces related to the created parts. In that way, the spectrum of the potential solutions during the conceptualisation phase, when the information about the problem is vague enough, can be delimited and the convergence to the near-optimal solution may be more effective.