Today we joined a class session at the Royal Institute of Technology. It was the final day in a design course focusing on ergonomics.

In one of the project group the Novint Falcon game haptics device was chosen. The Falcon group had identified a problem when using the gaming device for longer gaming session. Already after some minutes of use the test group felt pain in their under arms and shoulders. Although there are recommendations in the manual like; for one hours of gaming you should rest 15 minutes, use the arm chair as a resting place for your arm while playing games… it is really limiting for a hard core gamers to restrict the “never want to end” playing games using this cool device.

The test users claim they feel pain in the under arm and shoulders on specific muscles. To really prove this is the case, the project group used EMG measurement to get an understanding for the kind of stress the muscles are exposed to. The group then did literature studies to find out what recommended arm and hand positions there are, in theory, for this or similar kind of use. From this study and the previous conclusions on the user test they brought up some new concepts on handles developed  and redesigned using the “JACK analysis” method (including force analysis). The group then manufactured new prototype handles which then was mounted on the Novint Falcon for new user test and EMG analysis. The final EMG analysis proved their new concepts being succesful in reducing the stress factor, especially on the under arm muscles.

If you would like to have a copy of the presentation please mail us!