Stature, age, and gender effects on reach motion postures

The rapid adoption of software to simulate human reach motions in the design of vehicle interiors and manufacturing and office workstations has required a sophisticated understanding of human motions. This paper describes how more than 3000 right-arm reaching motions of a diverse group of participants were captured and statistically modeled. The results demonstrate that stature and age have a larger effect than does gender on reach motion postures for motions chosen by the participants while reaching to targets placed throughout a typical automobile interior. We propose that these methods, models, and results can assist the further development of human motion simulation software for ergonomic purposes, such as for the design or evaluation of vehicle interiors or industrial workplaces, to ensure that various population groups are physically accommodated.