Work - Volume 41, issue Supplement 1

Authors: Tosi, Francesca | Belli, Alessandro | Rinaldi, Alessandra | Tucci, Grazia

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The paper presents the early results of the UE-FP7 project “The Intermodal Bike”. The research aim is to provide a super-compactable, super-lightweight folding bicycle as a realistic solution to graft the cycling mode onto the root of the public or private transportation systems. The folding bikes now on the international market reach weighs between 12–15 kg, with a variable footprint but occupying -when compacted- an average volume of about 100 liters. To encourage the use of this vehicle and to extend it to a larger number of users with different characteristics, the research project has set its goal in increasing …as possible compactness and light weight, creating a bicycle with a volume when compacted of 20 liters (reduction factor =5), with a shape of 48 × 36 × 12 cm and a weight of 5 kg. max., ensuring stability and improving vehicle usability and efficiency, during the ride and in the phase of bike folding. To achieve this goal ergonomic and usability tests have been carried out. The tests allowed to find a posture that would ensure efficiency and comfort in the ride to as many users as possible. Parallel tests were made on the vehicle usability in the urban transport system and intermodal. The need for light weight has required special studies on the optimization of the vehicle’s architecture and research on super-lightweight materials. Show more

Keywords: Design, Sustainable Urban Mobility, Ergonomics, Innovation of Usability, Technological Innovation

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0344-1501

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 1501-1506, 2012

Authors: Carvalho, Raíssa | Soares, Marcelo

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This is a research study based on an analysis which sets out to identify and pinpoint ergonomic and usability problems found in a sample of automobile dashboards. The sample consisted of three dashboards, of three different makes and characterized as being a popular model, an average model and a luxury model. The examination was conducted by observation, with the aid of photography, notes and open interview, questionnaires and performing tasks with users, the bases of which are on the principles laid down by methodologies. From this it was possible to point to the existence of problems such as: complaints about …the layout, lighting, colors, available area, difficult access to points of interaction, such as buttons, and the difficult nomenclature of dials. Later, the findings and recommendations presented show the need for a further, deeper study, using more accurate tools, a larger sample of users, and an anthropometric study focused on the dashboard, since reading and understanding it have to be done quickly and accurately, and that more attention be given to the study of automobile dashboards, particularly in the most popular vehicles in order to maintain the standards of usability, and drivers’ comfort and safety. Show more

Keywords: ergonomics, panels usability, vehicle, cars, icons

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0345-1507

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 1507-1514, 2012

Authors: Fialho, Francisco A.P. | Santos, Paloma Maria | de Melo Braga, Marcus | Thaler, Anelise

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Television can be considered one of the main means of mass entertainment. It occupies an important place in people’s lives, influencing behavior and creating and/or enforcing consumer’s habits and needs. With the advent of Digital Television, a series of new features tend to further impact upon society in many different ways. The main agent of this change is interactivity, which is the leverage that will transform the traditional viewer’s role. Interactivity turns the viewer into a user, a partner who receives the content, but also produces, participates and collaborates during the viewing process. This paper aims to discuss the importance …of applying interaction design in the development of projects related to digital television. The main factors that may contribute to improve the interaction design in applications for digital TV were identified drawing on a descriptive and qualitative method of investigation. The results showed that the interface design for this new media should not only be aesthetically appealing, but should also focus on usability (i.e. user’s wishes and needs). Additionally, the creation of these interfaces requires the investigation of some characteristics and limitations of device interaction, considering the choice of colors, saturation levels and brightness, avoiding graphic symbols and prioritizing the navigation through the numerical buttons of the remote control. Show more

Keywords: interaction design, digital television, interactivity, usability, ergonomics

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0346-1515

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 1515-1523, 2012

Authors: Pagnan, Andreia Salvan | Ribeiro, Giovana Freitas Rabelo | Gonçalves, Maria Goretti Souza | Câmara, Jairo José Drummond | Baptista, Sandra Motta

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Contemporary electronic industry offers a wide range of products. Usually touch sensitiveand with few buttons and a lot of functions these products not always have a friendly interface. The human x design interface based on electronics’ ergonomics is the focus of this research. An evolutionary analysis of the electronics industry design within a contemporary context clarifies this relation and proposes new guidelines for a more conscious design.

Keywords: design, technology, man

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0347-1524

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 1524-1530, 2012

Authors: Ariel, Eduardo | de Moraes, Anamaria

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This paper presents an ergonomic study on the navigation structures and information units of entertainment sites with multimedia content. This research is a case study on the XBOX 360 promotional website. It analyzes the presentation of the content on a grid that simulates the spatial displacement of the screen’s elements and evaluates the interaction that the page allows for, from the users’ point of view.

Keywords: interaction design, human-computer interaction, use experience, usability and spatial navigation

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0348-1531

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 1531-1533, 2012

Authors: Alves, Patricia | Arezes, Pedro

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to assess whether the existing signals in three European cities were developed according usability principles and ergonomic aspects for the citizen. City maps and signals will be tested using efficiency, effectiveness and user’s satisfaction criteria. Among the urban areas are the center of Paris-FR, assumed to be well signalized, the historical center of Guimarães-PT and Chorweiler, Cologne-DE, a residential neighborhood of modern urbanism characterized by the extensive use of vegetation, the landscape homogeneity, and, consequently, by the difficult navigation.

Keywords: urban signage, wayfinding assistance, schematic maps, spatial context

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0349-1534

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 1534-1540, 2012

Authors: da Silva Moroni, Janaina Luisa | Aymone, José Luís Farinatti

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This work proposes a design methodology using ergonomics and anthropometry concepts applied to traffic sign and street name sign projects. Initially, a literature revision on cognitive ergonomics and anthropometry is performed. Several authors and their design methodologies are analyzed and the aspects to be considered in projects of traffic and street name signs are selected and other specific aspects are proposed for the design methodology. A case study of the signs of “Street of Antiques” in Porto Alegre city is presented. To do that, interviews with the population are made to evaluate the current situation of signs. After that, a …new sign proposal with virtual prototyping is done using the developed methodology. The results obtained with new interviews about the proposal show the user satisfaction and the importance of cognitive ergonomics to development of this type of urban furniture. Show more

Keywords: ergonomics, design, traffic sign

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0350-1541

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 1541-1546, 2012

Authors: Mendonça, André N. F. | van der Linden, Júlio C. S. | Fonseca, Tania M. G.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Through Brazilian publication revision on the relations amongst Ergonomics and Design, we observed the tendency towards an approach focusing on product design. However, it is our duty to question which would be the influences of ergonomics in the graphic design. As a methodology, we considered the identification that the practices derived from ergonomics as epistemic system found in the main bibliography related to graphic design.

Keywords: editorial projects, warnings perception, corporate identity project, cognitive aspects

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0351-1547

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 1547-1552, 2012

Authors: Marques, Luiz Guilherme Oliveira | Cardoso, Vânia Maria Batalha

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This paper refers to the development of a signage system, driven by the vector of Signage Design and Informational Ergonomics associated with Regulatory Standards. The methodology of the Ergonomic Intervention of Moraes and Mont’Alvão (2003), in its early stages, and the Method of the Signage Pyramid of Calori (2007) were used to develop the research, data collection and analysis and to guide the design by a signaling system. The system contemplated by this job is called Mount Zion, a site of 19 hectares, which has signs of disturbance. As a result, we obtained a signaling system, with graphic features that …refer to formal-site, capable of meeting the needs of orientation and displacement inherent to the site. Show more

Keywords: signage design, informational ergonomics, standards, camp

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0352-1553

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 1553-1558, 2012

Authors: Drusch, Gautier | Bastien, J. M. Christian

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In this paper, we propose a new method for comparing scanpaths in a bottom-up approach, and a test of the scanpath theory. To do so, we conducted a laboratory experiment in which 113 participants were invited to accomplish a set of tasks on two different websites. For each site, they had to perform two tasks that had to be repeated ounce. The data were analyzed using a procedure similar to the one used by Duchowski et al. [8]. The first step was to automatically identify, then label, AOIs with the mean-shift clustering procedure [19]. Then, scanpaths were compared two by …two with a modified version of the string-edit method, which take into account the order of AOIs visualizations [2]. Our results show that scanpaths variability between tasks but within participants seems to be lower than the variability within task for a given participant. In other words participants seem to be more coherent when they perform different tasks, than when they repeat the same tasks. In addition, participants view more of the same AOI when they perform a different task on the same Web page than when they repeated the same task. These results are quite different from what predicts the scanpath theory. Show more

Keywords: eye-tracking, scanpath theory, scanpath variability, user behavior, web exploration

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0353-1559

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 1559-1566, 2012