Title: Comparing hip joint centre location methods in an automotive driving position

Authors: Jeanne Bulle; Georges Beurier; Xuguang Wang; Sabine Compigne

Addresses: Université de Lyon, F-69622, Lyon, France; IFSTTAR, LBMC, UMR_T9406, F-69675, Bron, France; Université Lyon 1, F-69622, Villeurbanne, France ' Université de Lyon, F-69622, Lyon, France; IFSTTAR, LBMC, UMR_T9406, F-69675, Bron, France; Université Lyon 1, F-69622, Villeurbanne, France ' Université de Lyon, F-69622, Lyon, France; IFSTTAR, LBMC, UMR_T9406, F-69675, Bron, France; Université Lyon 1, F-69622, Villeurbanne, France ' Toyota Motor Europe – Technical Affairs Planning, Hoge Wei 33, 1930 Zaventem, Belgium

Abstract: Several methods have been developed to predict hip joint centre (HJC) location. They can be classified into two types: the regression equations from anatomical landmarks (ALs), and the functional method from thigh marker trajectories from a hip rotation. However, very few studies have estimated their reliability in case of an automotive driving position. Therefore, this study aimed at comparing these two types of methods for the estimation of HJC location in different postures, and at estimating the uncertainty of HJC location in an automotive driving position. From the analysis of data collected on ten subjects, results showed that HJC estimated from regression equations did not depend on measuring posture, but strongly depended on the observer who palpated ALs. However, HJC was found dependent on measuring posture when using functional method. Both regression and functional methods did not give satisfying results, and other methods should be investigated in the future.

Keywords: hip joint centre; HJC location; functional method; regression equations; anatomical landmarks; thigh marker trajectories; hip rotation; seated posture; driving posture; digital human modelling; vehicle design; automotive driving position; automobile industry.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHFMS.2012.051561

International Journal of Human Factors Modelling and Simulation, 2012 Vol.3 No.3/4, pp.294 - 311

Received: 04 Jan 2012
Accepted: 24 Jul 2012
Published online: 29 Aug 2014 *

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