DHM simulation in virtual environments: a case-study on control room design.

Area of Science:

• Ergonomics
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Virtual Reality

Background:

• Designing complex cooperative work settings requires effective user-centered approaches.
• Traditional design methods may lack sufficient user interaction and simulation capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a workflow for applying serious games in designing cooperative work settings.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality and 3D human models in participatory design.

Main Methods:

• Utilized ergonomic studies and a participative design process for control room development.
• Developed 3D human virtual representations from 3D scanning.
• Employed the Unity3D platform to create a virtual environment for user interaction and activity simulation.

Main Results:

• Virtual technology enables dynamic scenario control and work activity simulation.
• Improved interaction levels between end-users, managers, and human factors teams were observed.
• The workflow demonstrated a significant shift in the design process.

Conclusions:

• Serious games integrated with virtual reality offer a powerful tool for designing complex work environments.
• This methodology enhances user engagement and provides a realistic simulation for design evaluation.
• The approach facilitates a more interactive and effective design process.