Calls for papers

 

International Journal of Electronic Transport

 

Special Issue on: "Computer-aided Ergonomics in the Manufacturing and Service Industries"

Guest Editors:
Dr. Venkatesh Balasubramanian and Prof. T. T. Narendran, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, India
Prof. Yves Ducq, University of Bordeaux, France
Dr. K. Ganesh, McKinsey and Company, India

Computer-aided ergonomics is an interdisciplinary field of work that involves the use of computers to solve complex problems regarding the human body’s interaction with its environment. Ergonomics traditionally involves many disciplines including biomechanics, anthropometry, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, kinesiology, health sciences and physiology.

Due to the highly interdisciplinary and complex nature of ergonomics, it is hard to get a full understanding of an ergonomic situation. The human body is a complex system; thus it is beneficial to have a computer system that models the human body as a mechanical system. The human body contains several parts that can be modelled as known mechanical systems, e.g. bones connected to joints and driven by actuators (muscles).

The development of automation through extensive implementation of technology is one of the major trends of modern society. Computers are being used more and more frequently to improve the quality of different areas of ergonomics and protection. Computer-aided production and design technology requires the implementation of computer-aided ergonomics methods. Computer-aided ergonomics methods can be defined as the implementation of information technology in ergonomics and safety methods and the integration of those methods into design, production and decision making.

Computer-Aided Design (CAD) clearly offers new possibilities for integrating ergonomic knowledge into the design process. A wide variety of ergonomic topics are of relevance to the application of computer-aided design systems concerned with layout design, displays and controls, fields of vision, areas of movement, physical strength and working environment. Computer systems have been developed, for example, to analyse and improve workplace structures, man-machine systems, production information systems, working methods and operator instructions.

The objective of this special issue is to contribute new insights to the extant body of knowledge, with its main focus on computer-supported ergonomics and safety in the manufacturing and service industries. The issue is intended for revised and substantially extended versions of selected papers presented at the International Conference on Ergonomics and Human Factors: Innovation and Usability in Product Development - Humanizing Work and Work Environment (HWWE 2011) on 15 th to 17 th December, 2011 (http://www.hwwe2011.org/), organised by the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai - 600036, Tamil Nadu, India . However, we also encourage other researchers to submit their manuscripts for this special issue.

Subject Coverage
Suitable topics include but are not limited to:

• Digital human modelling
• Product/process development
• Human motion modelling
• Static and dynamic models
• Static and dynamic measurement
• Static and dynamic optimisation solutions
• Opto-electronic systems
• Non-optic systems
• Electromagnetic systems
• Bio-mechanical systems and models
• Seamless integration
• Simulating humans: computer graphics, animation and control
• Quantitative analysis of motion coordination
• Dynamic animation of human walking
• Position and orientation in space of bones during movement
• Evolutionary optimisation for robust hierarchical computation
• Digital modelling for vehicles and workplace
• Occupational biomechanics
• Ultrasonic motion analysis systems
• Ergonomic expert systems
• Evaluation and design of tasks

Notes for Prospective Authors

Submitted papers should not have been previously published nor be currently under consideration for publication elsewhere. (N.B. Conference papers may only be submitted if the paper was not originally copyrighted and if it has been completely re-written).

All papers are refereed through a peer review process. A guide for authors, sample copies and other relevant information for submitting papers are available on the Author Guidelines page

Important Dates

Manuscript submission: 1 April, 2012

Notification of initial decision: 1 May, 2012

Submission of revised manuscript: 1 June, 2012

Notification of final acceptance: 1 July, 2012

Submission of final revised paper: 1 August, 2012