Ergonomic Optimization of Human-Machine Systems in Virtual Environments – A Systematic Literature Review Identifying Research Gaps

Enhancing product ergonomics is becoming increasingly important in the development of human-machine systems. But it requires a high development effort due to costly iterations of physical prototypes and user studies. The use of digital human, product, and interaction models as well as an optimizer redesigning the product using ergonomic assessment and optimization algorithms has the potential of reducing this effort. Since there is a variety of methods and models for the ergonomic assessment and design optimization, a systematic literature review based on the PRISMA statement is presented, analyzing 22 relevant studies. The information of application context, ergonomic assessment methods including human posture, external and internal physical human stress, and product design methods were extracted. Research gaps were identified and further research projects were derived. These gaps involve the appropriate selection of ergonomic assessment measures and criteria, a formulation of an objective function based on the ergonomic assessment, and the selection of suitable design parameters for the ergonomic design optimization. These research questions are to be answered based on a specific use case which is to be selected.