Abstract
An Objective Measure for Postural Comfort
by: Mathias Kolsch, Andrew C. Beall and Matthew Turk
Abstract:
Biomechanics determines the physical range in which humans can movetheir bodies. Human factors research delineates a subspace in whichhumans can operate without experiencing musculoskeletal strain,fatigue or discomfort. We claim that there is an even tighter spacewhich we call the comfort zone. It is defined as the range of posturesadopted voluntarily - despite the availability of other postures. Weintroduce a measurable, objective foundation for comfort, which waspreviously assumed equivalent to the absence of discomfort, asubjective quantity. Interfaces designed outside a user\'s comfort zonecan prompt the adoption of alternative use patterns, which are oftenless favorable because they trade off the unnoticeable potential ofinjury for comfort. Designing interfaces within the limits of comfortzones can avert these risks.
Keywords:
Human-computer interaction, discomfort, hand gestures, gesture interfaces, human factors, comfort zone
Date:
August 2003
Document: 2003-21
