bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Designing for Emotion: An Action Research Approach to Enhancing Student Engagement in Communication Design
Authors: Ho Amic
Published: June 2024

Emotions are needed for human contact, which includes such essentials as conversation, getting folk into channels, communication design and education. Students often encounter problems from assignments requiring outstanding creativity and problem-solving skills. For many people, it can still prove challenging to have their emotional needs met; however, if they lack motivation and engagement, higher learning becomes less pleasant. Feelings which may lead to a loss of productivity in studies? Negative, such as anxiety, boredom, irritability and weariness. Educators concentrate more on conveying academic content without genuine concern for students' emotional state. This is a significant reason they need more motivation and engagement. Creating design that evoke emotions frameworks aim to do precisely this; ensuring that products and services have characteristics that raise their users' emotional levels. The result can be increased engagement. The thesis aims to explore these issues in intersectional study, given the fact that further reduced numbers of students are being enrolled in hitherto highly regarded majority-offering directorates.
Exploring the Impact of Packaging Information on Consumer Purchase Decision
Authors: Li Hanbing , Wu Feichen , Ho Chunheng
Published: June 2024

This study uses verbal protocol analysis to delve into how packaging information impacts consumer purchase decision. The focus is on health supplements, chosen due to their minimal susceptibility to variations in packaging aesthetics, materials, and product differences. Participants were asked to think aloud while selecting from multiple products with similar ingredients. This method provided a dynamic perspective on their processes of acquiring packaging information and consumer purchase decisions. The collected verbal protocol data underwent two coding phases. The first phase followed the EKB model, encompassing stages such as problem recognition, information search, alternative evaluation, and purchase decision. The post-purchase evaluation from the EKB model was excluded as the focus is on information search and purchase decision. The second phase involved categorizing packaging information elements based on literature. Combining the findings from the two phases, the study concludes that text, style, color, and graphics collectively influence product selection and purchase decisions. By understanding and leveraging the impact of packaging information on consumer behavior, designers can formulate packaging strategies that capture consumer attention and guide them through the purchase decision-making process, ultimately resulting in a positive post-purchase experience.
Chinese Yunnan Pu-er Tea Ecological Branding Design for the Japanese Market
Authors: Hashiba Rei
Published: June 2024

Chinese tea culture, deeply rooted in history, is facing challenges in contemporary markets, particularly in appealing to younger consumers. Yunnan A Chang Pu-er tea, originating from a region with a long tradition of tea production, seeks to enter the Japanese market amidst China's vast tea industry yet weak branding. Japan also has a long history of tea culture, and a growing interest in health and beauty benefits of tea. A survey conducted by Itoen Corporation reveals increasing health consciousness among Japanese consumers, particularly in their 20s, with green tea's health benefits gaining prominence. This trend is reflected in a rise in tea consumption, driven primarily by health considerations. Despite the dominance of green tea in Japan, there is potential for introducing Chinese Pu-er tea to cater to evolving consumer preferences. Furthermore, the study highlights the enduring interest of young Japanese women in healthy tea consumption, a trend unaffected by time. Considering Japan's focus on eco initiatives, the study aims to conduct research of Pu-er tea's brand new image for Japanese market with environmentally friendly packaging, leveraging QR code technology to enhance consumer engagement and storytelling about Chinese tea history.
Multisensory Virtual Reality Reminiscence Therapy: A Preliminary Study on the Initial Impact on Memory and Spatial Judgment Abilities in Older Adults
Authors: Lee I-jui , Xin - Ting Pan
Published: June 2024

With advancing medical technology and the rise of an aging society, the global population of dementia patients is increasing. Dementia is an irreversible degenerative disease that leads to a gradual decline in cognitive abilities, including memory, spatial judgment, time perception, and language skills. Despite the availability of medication to alleviate symptoms, a complete cure is unattainable, and treatment can only delay disease progression with limited effectiveness. Recent literature explores non-pharmacological treatments for dementia, including reminiscence therapy, and investigates the use of Virtual Reality (VR) as a therapeutic approach. Unlike traditional methods, VR technology can create realistic virtual environments, enhancing sensory and cognitive experiences. Related studies have explored the combination of visual and auditory experiences in the VR environment, incorporating sensory stimuli such as touch and smell to enhance the sensory and cognitive abilities of older adults. Previous research indicates that combining multiple sensory stimuli can enhance memory and spatial judgment abilities. Therefore, the present study focuses on developing a VR game that integrates multiple sensory stimuli to investigate its impact on the memory, spatial judgment, and time perception of older adults. To achieve this goal, the research team invited experts to develop a VR game with multiple sensory stimuli, combining visual, auditory, tactile, and olfactory elements, with a theme centered around agricultural life. We conducted in-depth discussions on multi-sensory experiences, and preliminary feedback was obtained through interviews with elderly participants and observations by experts. Experts found that the nostalgic therapeutic farming game that combined VR technology and multiple sensory elements resulted in better performance of older adults in task judgment and memory retrieval. Despite the limited number of participants and this study's short training period, future comprehensive experiments and long-term observations are necessary to obtain more substantial evidence.
Physical Human Factor Parameters through VR Leisure Contents: Focused on Motion Feature Extraction for Adults from VR Bowling
Authors: Kwon Yeong-hun , Lee Yun-hwan , Yoon Minsung , Park Soyeong , Daehoon Son , Yebon Kim , Lee Hyojun , Ko Yohan , Kim Jongsung , Kim Jongbae
Published: June 2024

This study explores the impact of Virtual Reality (VR) on leisure sports, focusing on the analysis of motion data in VR bowling among adults aged 19-38. Acknowledging the gap in research regarding physical movement characteristics in VR sports, this work aims to contribute to the ergonomic development of VR leisure content for diverse generations. Using the Vive Pro Eye HMD, Vive Tracker 3.0, and the C2 Plus omnidirectional VR treadmill, we captured detailed three-dimensional position and velocity data. The Unity software facilitated motion data collection, while Python was employed for the analysis, particularly concentrating on the velocity features of the dominant hand controller. The analysis revealed that the Z component of velocity reached its highest mean linear speed at 6.474 during the release phase, aligning with the dynamics of traditional bowling yet underscoring VR's distinctive experience. Conclusively, the findings highlight VR's potential to enrich leisure sports, urging broader research across various VR sports contents and demographics. This pursuit is vital for understanding biomechanical and physical human factors in VR, paving the way for technologies that mitigate generational physical differences and foster the development of accessible, enjoyable VR leisure content for all ages.
Impression Change of a Female Character in Illustration by Shadow
Authors: Yamaguchi Rinka , Yamada Masashi
Published: June 2024

Recently, anime-touch illustrations became very popular as well as anime in Japan. In anime and anime-touch illustrations, shadows are used to express the emotions of characters and those which are not physically correct are frequently used. In the present study, it is examined that the impression changes of a female character by shadow expressions including the shadows physically incorrect. In the video game CUSTOM ORDER MAID 3D2, a player creates characters using 3D modeling. A female character with the simplest clothes was selected for the present study, and the shadows were produced with the 26 directions of the light sources. Then, these 3D pictures were traced as 2D illustrations. The physically incorrect shadows included the cases with the lights on the face, hair or eyes from a virtual source. Also, a stimulus with no shadow was prepared. In total 30 stimuli were prepared for a perceptual experiment. Twelve students of Kanazawa Institute of Technology participated in the experiment. Each participant sat on a chair in a darkroom and watched each stimulus presented on the display EIZO Flex Scan SX2462W. Then, the participant was requested to rate the impressions for the stimulus using 18 semantic differential scales. The rated scores were averaged and used for factor analysis. The results of the analysis showed that the impression space was spanned by friendliness, powerfulness and naturalness factors with the cumulative contribution ratio of 82.1%. The character was perceived as friendly when the shadow was produced with a light source set in front of the character. Contrarily, the character was perceived as not friendly when the light source was set behind the character.The friendliness may deeply correlate with the shadow on the face. The character became powerless when the light source was in the central position and powerful when the source was in the lateral positions. It is thought that the powerfulness correlates with the solidity of the character. The character was perceived as natural when the source was in foreground or background of the character. The naturalness may correlate with the shadow covering a part of the eyes. Among the physically incorrect shadow expressions, the stimulus with the eyes shined in the shadow was perceived as quite powerful and unnatural. The results of the present study will contribute to production of impressive illustrations and anime.
Mania Archetype: Chart Generation for Rhythm Action Games with Human Factors
Authors: Wang Jiale , Huang Wei , Li Xiu
Published: June 2024

In recent years, it has been proven feasible to generate rhythm game charts through machine learning models. This has reduced the cost of chart generation and served as an auxiliary tool for novice chart creators. Machine learning generation allows players to experience new songs and charts earlier. However, the article does not provide sufficient discussion on how to generate challenging and high-quality human-like charts for the versatile 4k Mania mode, which uses 4 scrolling 'note highways' to display the notes to be played. The focus of this article is on improving the generation of 4k charts in OSU! Mania through research on machine learning chart generation, with the aim of creating more interesting and accurate charts. Additionally, we propose a more comprehensive and humane standard for evaluating the quality of generated charts. This was informed by interviews with experienced players and chart creators.
4-DOF Robotic Arm Simulator for Machine Operator Training and Performance Evaluation: Engineering Design and Experimental Validation
Authors: Dreger Felix , Kuhlmann Sarah , Weichert Frank , Rinkenauer Gerhard
Published: June 2024

Robotic crane operators are essential in construction or forestry (e.g. excavator or forest harvester cranes), where their performance significantly impacts efficiency and safety. Training for crane operators relies on high-fidelity simulations to develop high skill levels. However, productivity analyses revealed large variances among machine operators, with disparities by up to 40%. Therefore, skill acquisition must be advanced through improved training methods, which are based on a deeper understanding of sensory-motor control of the crane. Typically, used training simulators provided by the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) lack access to e.g. detailed joystick data as well as lack the possibility to modify the simulations to include real-time performance feedback. To address this limitation, a robotic crane simulator was collaboratively designed by the Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors and the Chair of Computer Graphics from TU Dortmund. The simulator was evaluated within a pilot study with 36 participants who conducted 32 aiming movements with the simulated robotic crane. The results show skill improvements over time and the suitability of the simulator to analyse skill acquisition in robotic crane operations.
The Relationship between the Individual Events within the U.S. Army’s Combat Fitness Test and a Simulated Marksmanship Performance Task
Authors: Villa Jose , Lam Peioneti , Brown Stephanie , De Simone Linda , O'donovan Meghan , Hancock Clifford , Elmore Wade , Elkin Frankston Seth , Bode Victoria , Mitchell Blake
Published: June 2024

The Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT), the U.S. Army’s new physical fitness test, was introduced to assess operationally relevant combat physical fitness. The present study assessed the relationship between performance in the individual events of the ACFT and a simulated marksmanship task. Results indicate that higher ACFT scores align with better marksmanship lethality, mobility, and stability. Notably, upper body strength, explosiveness, and agility demonstrated significant positive associations with marksmanship effectiveness. However, nuances emerged, with some ACFT events showing mixed correlations with marksmanship metrics. Further research is needed to understand the complex interplay between physical fitness and marksmanship proficiency, essential for optimizing military readiness. Overall, the presented results provide evidence that ACFT performance can provide valuable insight on Soldiers’ readiness beyond just physical fitness.
Design Recommendations for Integrating AR in VR Environments within Defence Research
Authors: Williams Craig , Blackford Hannah
Published: June 2024

This paper utilises the methodology and discoveries of a recent Defence project as a case study to contemplate the potential implementation of augmented reality (AR) within a virtual reality (VR) environment in a Defence context. Doing so sheds light on the possible applications, advantages, obstacles, and prospects of such an integrated system. Additionally, it evaluates specific methodological and design recommendations to extend the effectiveness and inclusivity of the military training experience. These recommendations consider various factors, including interoperability, authenticity, environment fidelity, human-centred interface design, and user experience. This contribution is significant in the broader discourse surrounding utilising immersive technologies in the Defence industry, as it provides valuable guidance for researchers, developers, and military professionals.
Occupational Exoskeletons as Symbionts: Defining Operator-Exoskeleton Interactions
Authors: Dufraisse Marc , Wioland Lien , Atain-Kouadio Jean-Jacques , Cegarra Julien
Published: June 2024

The fourth industrial revolution heralds the emergence of the Operator 4.0, characterized by the augmentation of physical, sensory or cognitive capabilities of workers. This transformation involves a shift from collaborative activities between artificial and human agents toward a more radical coupling of these two entities (Romero et al., 2017). The novel forms of interactions resulting from these couplings no longer precisely align with taxonomies traditionally proposed in ergonomics for relationship between operators and artificial agents. In response, the concept of symbiosis has been introduced to characterize these new human cyber-physical systems (Gerber et al., 2020; Inga et al., 2023). Among the technologies presumed to enhance operators' physical capabilities, occupational exoskeletons are frequently cited. They contribute to the development of the "super strength-operator" aspect of Operator 4.0 (Ruppert et al., 2018). Defined as "wearables, external mechanical structures that enhance the power of a person" (de Looze et al., 2016, p.671), exoskeletons constitute a promising set of technologies in mitigating biomechanical risk factors associated with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) (Theurel & Desbrosses, 2019). Currently, attempts to implement exoskeletons in the workplace are accelerating, raising questions about their acceptance by operators (Elprama et al., 2022). Interactions with these devices, as they induce close and permanent contact with the user, are interesting to address from the perspective of symbiotic relationships. However, the qualification of interactions with such devices is not often addressed in the literature. In the multivariate perspective of the symbiosis concept by Inga et al. (2023), the human’s experience of symbiosis consists of four constructs: embodiment, flow state, sense of agency, and acceptance. Then, acceptance represents only one facet of the experience dimension of symbiotic relationships. To comprehensively grasp the challenges associated with the use of exoskeletons and the potential symbiotic relationship between operators and exoskeletons, it is essential to broaden the comprehension of operator-exoskeleton interactions beyond acceptance. An initial step towards achieving this understanding involves clarifying the terminology used to describe interactions between humans and exoskeletons. By positioning exoskeletons as potential symbionts and drawing insights from the ergonomics literature on symbiosis, this article aims to clarify the nature of operator-exoskeleton interactions.
Citizen Science Applied Health Care: Active involvement of clinicians and patients in co-creating health products, services and environments
Authors: López-vicente Amparo , Morales Casas Adrian , Atienza Carlos , Marzo Roselló Raquel , Laparra Jose
Published: June 2024

Citizen science, involving the public in scientific processes alongside researchers, offers promise for health research and collaborative health management. This participatory approach engages laypersons in knowledge production, yielding insights unattainable through traditional methods. This article highlights citizen science's practical contributions to healthcare, advocating for its role in reshaping the healthcare model. Drawing from four recent projects, it emphasises the importance of professional and patient involvement in solution development. These experiences underscore the need for rigorous criteria identification and early-stage involvement to ensure project success.Recommendations to advance citizen science in health management include extending value-based health principles to product development, diversifying participant profiles, integrating citizen scientists into early research phases, leveraging technology for data collection, and ensuring methodological rigour. These suggestions aim to enhance the effectiveness of citizen science in addressing health challenges and fostering collaborative innovation in healthcare.The future of social and healthcare services must actively include citizens and professionals throughout the process to humanise these services, enhancing health products, services and environments.
A Longitudinal Study on Hearing Loss in South Korean Air Force Pilots: Evidence from Electronic Medical Records
Authors: Kim Sungho , Kim Kyehyun , Kim Kgyungwon , Yang Juhyeong , Lee Hong-kyung , Kim Jungwoon , Kim Geonhui , Yoo Seunghoon , Lee Younggun , Kim Dongsoo
Published: June 2024

Hearing loss is known to be one of the most common diseases that can occur among Air Force pilots. Since treatment for hearing loss varies greatly depending on the cause, an accurate diagnosis of the cause is important. However, few studies have comprehensively analysed the causes of hearing loss in Air Force pilots. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to contribute to the prevention of hearing loss by identifying the vulnerability of hearing loss in Air Force pilots in the long term through the analysis of Electronic Medical Records (EMRs). This study analysed the EMRs of Air Force pilots from 2012 to 2023 in South Korea. The EMRs included pilot demographic information as well as the results for each indicator of the general check, blood test, urine test, and Pure Ton Audiometry (PTA) test. Results of data analysis show that pilots who were older, had propeller aircraft types, and had a total flight time of 2,001 to 3,000 hours had a high rate of hearing loss. In addition, pilots with hearing loss were found to have both systolic and diastolic blood pressures outside the normal range. In particular, diastolic blood pressure and glucose levels showed a significant positive correlation with both left and right hearing test results in the high frequency range. In terms of PTA tests, pilots with hearing loss mainly exceeded the criteria in the left ear and high frequency range, and the C5-dip and asymmetry phenomenon were partially identified. The results of this study show the possibility of predicting hearing loss disease for Air Force pilots or suggesting medical treatment guidelines through the analysis of EMRs.
Designing towards productivity: A centralized AI assistant concept for work
Authors: Cao Tam , Qing Khoo Yi , Birajdar Shivani , Gong Zhiyun , Chung Chia-fang , Moghaddam Yassi , Xu Anbang , Mehta Hridhay , Shukla Aaditya , Wang Zhilin , Akkiraju Rama
Published: June 2024

Recent research has shown that Artificial Intelligence (AI) assistance can significantly improve workers’ productivity. Software such as Zoom and GitHub have also recently introduced AI into the system, marketed to enhance users’ productivity. While each software has its platform, users tend to feel overwhelmed by the numerous workplace tools available. In this paper, we introduce the concept of a centralized platform based around an AI chatbot that can answer user queries from the company's knowledge base and act as a personal assistant to help the user with daily workplace tasks. Exploratory interviews confirmed the need for such a system and gathered users’ expectations, guiding the direction of the preliminary sketches. The concept is evaluated by productivity support's design and interaction aspects without implementing a functional AI chatbot. This research uses qualitative data from multiple rounds of moderated usability testing to identify factors impacting perceived usability. Results showed that participants recognized the system's potential benefits and the overall usability of the design. Participants also highlighted the positive user experience resulting from the capability to access third-party workplace tools for personalized productivity, the conversational and transparent task support interaction, the streamlined workflow with smart suggestions, and the usefulness of a tutorial for learning about the new concept. The research explores a potential shift in the role of workplace support chatbots from question responders to task collaborators. Further research can also look into the actual implementation of such systems, measure their impacts on users' productivity, and explore potential challenges and ethical considerations in deploying these AI assistants in real-world business settings.
Enhancing Trust in LLM Chatbots for Workplace Support through User Experience Design and Prompt Engineering
Authors: Gong Zhiyun , Birajdar Shivani , Cao Tam , Qing Khoo Yi , Chung Chia-fang , Moghaddam Yassi , Xu Anbang , Mehta Hridhay , Shukla Aaditya , Wang Zhilin , Akkiraju Rama
Published: June 2024

Traditional chatbots have been essential for workplace support. With the rise in Large Language Model (LLM) chatbots and their quick and efficient solution to user queries, this new generation of chatbots will soon enter the field of workplace support to assist with IT, HR, and general workplace queries. However, trust concerns with LLM chatbots, which arise from factual errors, inaccuracies, and suboptimal response formatting, have become prominent and will be particularly critical in professional settings such as employee support within a company. This paper investigates factors influencing user trust in AI chatbots for workplace support, proposing solutions through UX design improvement and prompt engineering experiments. We conducted mixed-method user research to study the impact of response formatting and presentation on user trust and experience. Our qualitative user interviews and contextual inquiries aim to understand users’ expectations of these chatbots and their perspective of usage, followed by user surveys that validate users’ preferences through quantitative measures. The findings reveal that trust challenges arise from a perceived lack of credibility and transparency as a result of hallucinations, as well as concerns about data privacy. They also show the need for improved chatbot conversational experiences with more human-likeness, better contextual understanding abilities, and higher flexibility in input and output formats. To address these challenges, our research uniquely proposes and implements a solution based on the interception of UX design and prompt engineering. Actionable UX design implications for a trustworthy interface are outlined, along with prompt engineering solutions demonstrated through a prototype. This research contributes to the evolution of AI-driven chatbot technology, aligning with the broader goal of enhancing user satisfaction and trust in automated support systems. This paper provides valuable insights for AI chatbot developers, designers, and researchers to meet the critical need for effective and reliable chatbots tailored to workplace support. This study also points to opportunities for future research topics around trustworthiness in Artificial Intelligence to explore how diversity, technology, research design, and ethical aspects would factor into user trust and experience.
Developing Future Skills through a Sequential Module Structure and Practical Orientation: A Case Study of the Bachelor Program in Applied Digital Transformation
Authors: Grosch Christian
Published: June 2024

In response to the growing demand for future-ready professionals in the digital era, educational institutions are reimagining their programs to equip students with essential competencies. This paper examines the Bachelor Program in Applied Digital Transformation at the University of Applied Sciences Coburg (HS Coburg), focusing on its innovative curriculum design and practical orientation aimed at fostering future skills among students. Through a comprehensive literature review, the paper contextualizes the importance of future skills in today's workforce landscape and explores pedagogical approaches to skill development. The program's curriculum design, characterized by a modular structure and interdisciplinary approach, is analyzed for its effectiveness in providing students with a holistic understanding of digital transformation. Emphasis is placed on practical learning experiences, including project-based assignments, industry collaborations, and the utilization of cutting-edge technologies, which are integral to preparing students for the realities of the digital workforce. While the program faces challenges such as curriculum adaptability and logistical constraints, it also presents opportunities for innovation through the integration of emerging technologies and closer collaboration with industry partners. By addressing these challenges and capitalizing on opportunities for enhancement, the Bachelor Program in Applied Digital Transformation at HS Coburg aims to continue its mission of developing future-ready graduates poised for success in the digital age.
Redefining Emergency Services with Generative AI: Insights from a preliminary literature review
Authors: Kröckel Pavlina
Published: June 2024

The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, particularly generative AI (GenAI), has opened new frontiers in various sectors including emergency services. We present the results of a preliminary literature review of the current research on generative AI in emergency departments with a focus on use cases and their implications. We systematically examine peer-reviewed articles, case studies, and practical implementations to identify key trends, challenges, and opportunities in this growing field. Our findings underscore the need for ongoing research, ethical considerations, and cross-sector collaboration to fully leverage AI's capabilities to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of emergency response.
Design of home appliance operation sounds based on the metaphorical nature of sound
Authors: Umino Megumi , Yajima Ryota , Yang Wonseok
Published: June 2024

Digitized products allow users to operate intuitively using visual Metaphor on a screen with a GUI, such as images and icons. Multimodal interaction, traditionally focused on visual information, is increasingly incorporating auditory elements like vibration and sound. This shift is driven by the growing prevalence of screenless devices and voice-activated operations. Unlike visual information, auditory information can be received in any direction. Therefore, Sound Interaction will continue to increase in various products used in daily life. However, the monotonous electronic sounds used in numerous products often have similar tones and no meaning. Therefore, users often cannot properly recognize the meaning or status of multiple products when using them, which leads to confusion in determining which function is activated in a product. We adapted the Metaphor technique, commonly used in graphical user interfaces (GUI), for auditory information. By employing a variety of real-world sounds in our design, we aim to provide intuitive auditory cues that enhance user interaction with home appliances. The purpose of this research is to see how the concept of “Sound Metaphoricity” can be utilized in the design of sound for home appliance operation with respect to human-object interaction. After selecting home appliances and organizing the main functions of the current products, abstract images associated with the product function names and outlines were extracted, and sensitivity evaluation experiments using sound and analysis were conducted. As a result, we were able to clarify the factorial characteristics of the sound that acts as a Metaphor in the design of operation sound.
A Front Face Design of New Energy Vehicles Based on Rough Set Theory and Backpropagation Neural Network
Authors: Zimo Chen , Hailong Feng , Yajun Li
Published: June 2024

With the increasing awareness of environmental protection and prominent problem of traditional energy, new energy vehicles are an important choice to replace traditional oil-fueled vehicles. As an important part of new energy vehicles, the design of front face has an important impact on vehicles’ image, sales, and brand awareness. A front face’s modeling design process of new energy vehicles is proposed in this paper based on Kansei Engineering (KE)/ Rough Set Theory (RST)/ Backpropagation Neural Network (BPNN). Firstly, Kansei semantic analysis is carried out on the front face’s modeling of new energy vehicles, including collecting the front face samples of new energy vehicles and Kansei semantic words, the collected Kansei semantic words are reduced dimensional and clustered by using Factor Analysis (FA). Secondly, the morphological analysis method is used to decompose the front face samples of new energy vehicles into different design features, the attribute reduction algorithm in RST is used to identify the key design features of new energy vehicles that have an important impact on users’ satisfaction. Finally, BPNN is used to establish the mapping model between the users’ Kansei image and the key design features of new energy vehicles’ front face, thus obtaining the optimal design combination of new energy vehicles’ front face with the highest Kansei value. The results enable designers to grasp users’ sentimental cognition of new energy vehicles’ front face modeling effectively and accurately so as to improve users’ purchase desire. This method can provide references for the modeling design of related products.
Assessing Self-disclosure Willingness in Metaverse-Based Structured Group Encounter
Authors: Kawakita Teru , Kanai Hideaki
Published: June 2024

Avatar-based communication in the metaverse offers a more extensive range of non-verbal information compared to traditional web-conferencing platforms. This study introduced a metaverse-based structured group encounter (M-SGE) and examined its effects on state anxiety, mood, and self-disclosure. The results indicated a significant reduction in state anxiety among participants following their involvement in M-SGE (p = .01, d = .90). Additionally, there was a marked increase in the participants’ willingness to self-disclose (p = .019, d = -.79). However, no significant differences in mood were observed before and after the M-SGE. The M-SGE offers the advantage of enabling communication through avatars for individuals perceiving face-to-face conversations as a challenge, regardless of time and place constraints. During the experiment, there were occasional instances of voice feedback and audio difficulties among participants, indicating the need for an improved communication environment.
Exoskeletons in action: The impact of exoskeletons on human factors during manual material handling
Authors: Khamaisi Riccardo , Paolo Bacchetta Adriano , Melloni Riccardo , Morganti Alessio , Peruzzini Margherita , Botti Lucia , Perini Matteo
Published: June 2024

In the last years, both industrial and academic researchers have been trying to explore the effectiveness of exoskeletons in supporting human workers during the execution of various tasks to highlight the benefits and opportunities but also the limitations of this technology. Today multiple types of exoskeletons have been developed to supply support to different body districts. The purpose of the study in this paper is to analyze the impact of an occupational passive back support exoskeleton during manual material handling. Specifically, the study evaluated the influence of the exoskeleton on physiological parameters and human factors, such as the pressure of the feet to the ground, the heart rate and the blood oxygen saturation, and the user perceptions about comfort and usability. The results show variations in the distribution patterns of the pressure of the feet to the ground and in the heart rate when the task is performed with and without the exoskeleton. This experimental study lays the foundations for an in-depth future study in which the findings can be investigated contributing to the growing body of knowledge in the field of human factors and ergonomics at work.
Software Architecture and Human-Centric design methodology in Human-Robot collaborative production systems
Authors: Koukas Spyros , Broechler Raimund , Haninger Kevin , Gautam Milan , Ubis Fernando , Esnaola Campos Urko , Eimontaite Iveta , Fletcher Sarah , Dimitropoulos Nikos , Makris Sotiris
Published: June 2024

Over the last years both Research and Industry have allocated significant effort to address the requirement for flexible production by introducing technologies that allow humans and robots to coexist and share production tasks safely. The human-robot coexistence and collaboration in cageless environments introduces challenges that are both of technical and social nature. A human robot collaborative system can be viewed as a sociotechnical work system that can both increase production KPIs and improve the quality of life for people working in HRC environment. In addition, effective HRC requires acceptance and trust from the side of the operators and clear communication between operators and robots. This work presents a software architecture approach that enables personalized and human-centric HRC and aims to improve ergonomics, cognitive factors and acceptance. In this context, key technology solutions for different HRC aspects such as training, design and production are also presented.
Comparing different ergonomic interventions to influence shelving practices in libraries
Authors: Watts Nerilee , Karanikas Nektarios
Published: June 2024

Since 2003, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) have been the second highest burden of disease in Australia. Considering that library duties often involve manual handling and repetitive tasks, in this study, ergonomic interventions were tested to improve shelving tasks in three public libraries in Queensland, Australia. An engineering intervention of raising the shelf heights was installed at one library, compared to an awareness presentation about MSDs at another. The third library implemented both interventions. The initial conditions were assessed and any changes in shelving task load and MSD-related issues through pre- and post-implementation cross-sectional surveys. After implementing the MSD risk controls, 36 observations were conducted 12 per library at three different time-points by using the Rapid Entire Body Assessments (REBA). The results revealed a significant improvement in the REBA scores two weeks after controls were implemented. However, seven weeks after the implementation, there was a lapse towards the pre-implementation baseline measurements for the library receiving only the awareness presentation, which is classified as an administrative risk control. The two libraries with the engineering intervention maintained their post-control implementation results. The findings from the surveys suggested there were no statistically different changes pre- and post-implementation. In conclusion, while all the interventions had a positive effect in the short term, the libraries that implemented engineering risk control measures experienced more long-lasting improvements.
AzKCLI: a semi-automatic tool for Compositive Lifting Index (CLI) evaluation through Azure Kinect
Authors: Forgione Chiara , Lolli Francesco , Maria Coruzzolo Antonio , Gamberini Rita , Balugani Elia
Published: June 2024

In modern production systems, prioritizing the safety and well-being of human operator is crucial. Industry 5.0 responds to this need by giving significant importance to the Human Factor (HF) and ergonomics. Our work introduces a semi-automatic tool for Compositive Lifting Index (CLI) calculation for risk detection during multi-task manual lift jobs using the Azure Kinect depth cameras named AzKCLI. We conducted 20 simulations of industrial tasks in our laboratory with a risk assessment from both AzKCLI and expert ergonomic judgment. Additionally, we simulated three tasks taken from the paper that introduced CLI for comparative analysis. Findings reveal a strong agreement between assessments, proposing a novel semi-automatic tool that offers a more objective, economically efficient, and a rapid evaluation of multi-task manual lifting jobs, thus contributing to enhance workplace safety in the Industry 5.0 era.
Exploring the Correlation Between Seat Backrest Angles and Motion Sickness Response in Ship Rocking Conditions
Authors: Jinliang Wu , Fu Yuqian , Du Xintong , Ma Xiaoyan , Yang Wenxiu
Published: June 2024

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between seasickness induced by ship motion and the angle of seat backrest, aiming to guide the redesign of ship seats to enhance passengers' comfort during voyages. With a focus on sitting posture, participants rated the severity of motion sickness symptoms under different seat backrest angles on a six-degree-of-freedom platform simulating ship motion. The relationship between seat backrest angle and motion sickness response was explored. The experimental results indicate that variations in seat backrest angle under ship motion conditions have a certain impact on participants' motion sickness response. The symptoms of motion sickness in participants are mildest when the seat backrest is tilted back approximately 22.5°, while they become significantly exacerbated when the tilt angle exceeds 45°. Additionally, there is no significant difference between males and females. This study proposes an effective measure to alleviate seasickness that is free of side effects, low-cost, and easy to implement, which could help alleviate the suffering caused by seasickness and hold significant implications for the redesign of ship seats. Moreover, it expands the possibilities for the application of industrial design in the field of ship and ocean engineering.
Ergonomic Work Environment Risks for Diesel Locomotive Drivers in Latvia and Health Promotion Measures
Authors: Madelane Diana , Kalkis Henrijs , Roja Zenija
Published: June 2024

In Latvia, the rail transport sector plays an important role in the national economy. Rail transport sector work is provided by different people who work in different professions, including diesel locomotive drivers. The aim of this research was to study and analyze ergonomic risks for drivers of diesel locomotives and develop health promotion measures. Such methods were selected for the research: questionnaire of the workers (Total 116 employees), key indicator method for analysis of manual handling operations, Quick Exposure Check and Rapid Upper Limb Assessment for assessing the load on different body parts. The ergonomic evaluation has determined that the diesel locomotive drivers are subjected to a risk level III concerning strain on their wrists and hands, while their shoulders and arms are at a risk level II. According to the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment, the final evaluation of the strain on the workers’ hands is categorized as high. The study concludes that diesel locomotive operators face substantial ergonomic risks in their work environment. The ergonomic risk assessment methodologies utilized in the study indicate that these operators are subjected to considerable strain, particularly on their wrists, neck, and shoulders, which is overall classified as risk level III. Hence the use of a combination of several ergonomic risk assessment methods is essential to come up with more precise results.
Age limit for “driving” an autonomous vehicle: an open issue for future road transport system
Authors: Mosaferchi Saeedeh , Mortezapour Alireza , Orlando Luca , Naddeo Alessandro
Published: June 2024

Vehicles are an indisputable necessity for humans’ lives. Every day, people utilize both private and public transportation to fulfil their diverse demands. The advent of autonomous vehicles has presented novel opportunities as well as challenges for humanity, however when these cars become more commonplace, people will encounter a variety of new evolutions to manage. With a few exceptions represented by the cases in which their intervention is required, people will be free to manage their personal affairs and perform different activities during the trip with a self-driving car. Regarding this matter, it can be assumed that people will be able to utilize an autonomous vehicle even they are less than 18 years old (the minimum age for having a driving licence in most of the countries), although several questions will arise. A group of University students (whose have enough information about AVs) participated in a discussion panel and evaluated the arguments made for and against the topic to arrive at a logical conclusion. This work looks at and evaluates the panel's opinions, contrasting them with already published manuscripts and comparing the results with a wide surveys’ ones.
Relationship between gaze behavior and whole-body movement during car ingress
Authors: Okane Eisuke , Furuya Tomokazu , Sakazaki Juntaro , Kikuchi Ken , Higuchi Takahiro
Published: June 2024

Car ingress and egress are the most physically demanding activities in car use, particularly for older people with weak muscles. In a survey of elderly people in Japan regarding car use, the load on the legs and back during ingress and egress was ranked at the top of complaint. Reducing the load during car ingress and egress will make it easier for older people to use cars and is expected to contribute to maintaining and improving the quality of life for aging societies. Many studies regarding car ingress and egress have mainly focused on the motion analysis of the whole-body movement. However, the movement needs to be modified in response to the visual information regarding the spatial relationship between a narrow space of the car entrance and the body. We therefore investigated in the present study the relationship between gaze behavior and whole-body movement during car ingress. Based on the findings, we discussed whether patterns of whole-body movement to enter the car are related at least in part to how individuals look at the car entrance.12 young adults between the ages of 18 and 21(Mean =20.2, SD=0.94; 2 women and 10 men) participated. A mock-up of a car with doors was used to measure the gaze behavior and whole-body movement. There were two roof height conditions: high (1500 mm from the floor) and low (1330 mm). Gaze behavior was measured using a Pupil Labs eye tracker, while whole-body movement was measured using a Qualisys motion capture system capturing 25-point markers attached to the participant’s whole body. For the gaze behavior, fixated locations were categorized into one of four locations: roof area, door area, floor area, and other in cabin. The results of the cluster analysis using the total time spent gazing at each fixated location showed three main groups of gaze patterns. The first group was characterized with looking mostly on the floor, possibly perceiving the car entrance with the peripheral vision. The participants categorized in the first group tended to show bending the upper body in a forward-leaning position. The second group was characterized with looking around the area surrounded with the roof and door. The participants categorized in this group leaned their upper body backward when entering the car. The participants categorized into third group kept looking at the floor (i.e., with longer fixation time) bended the upper body in a sideways-leaning position. These findings suggest that patterns of whole-body movement to enter the car are related at least in part to the gaze behavior. The findings also suggest that technologies or other means that lead the car-user’s fixations in proper location will help not only to avoid collisions with the car frames but also to reduce the load of car ingress.
Driving Fatigue Recognition Based on the Combination of Multimodal Features
Authors: Wei Zehong , Wang Jiaxin , Shi Lei , Wang Qingju , Ren Yuanyuan , Zheng Xuelian
Published: June 2024

Effective identification of driving fatigue is extremely important for reducing casualties and property losses. Therefore, this paper proposes a driving fatigue recognition method based on the combination of multimodal features. Firstly, multimodal features based on photoplethysmography, eye state and vehicle motion are extracted according to the physiological and driving characteristics of driving fatigue. Secondly, C-SVM-RFE algorithm is used to optimize the features for improving the accuracy of the driving fatigue recognition. Finally, Support Vector Machine is used to establish the driving fatigue recognition model. In order to validate the driving fatigue recognition model, the photoplethysmography data, facial video data and vehicle motion data of 30 subjects in different driving states were collected, and then were processed using the above process. The results show that the model has a high accuracy in recognizing the fatigue state of the samples consisting of data from 30 subjects. It can be concluded that the method of driving fatigue recognition based on the combination of multimodal features can provide a means of driver monitoring for the traffic safety management, and reduce traffic accidents caused by driving fatigue.