Anthropometric human modeling on the shape manifold

The capabilities of digital human models has increased dramatically over the past few years, and as a result have played an increasing role in the design process. By utilizing a digital human model in the design process one can validate the use of the design without the need for prototyping, and as a result generate a significant amount of savings in the design stage. Beyond the commercial sector, many research groups have developed advanced human simulation software that are capable of performing an in-depth analysis of a human in a variety of situations, based off of the response of their digital human model. However, due to the complexity of the analysis it can be difficult to implement new human models into these software as there is a lack of compatibility between models. In both of these applications, the accuracy of the model used is imperative to obtain reasonable results.

This research presents a method capable of generating a set of digital human models that are all mutually compatible, thus allowing a more seamless implementation into a digital simulation software. Additionally, a process is outlined that can generate a representative set of human models from a statistical population analysis that is both more computationally efficient and anthropometrically accurate than traditional methods. These representative models then encompass the entire scope of human body shapes and can be used to validate designs across all demographics without the need for prototyping.

Additionally, the statistical clusters used to generate the representative models can be used to improve the anthropometric modeling of the human population. This, in turn, provides benefits to commercial sectors such as garment design as well as improving the capabilities of human factors analysis and human centered design.