Ergonomic optimization of oil rig driller’s console HMI layout based on AHP-GEM and Jack-RULA

Aiming at the drawbacks of existing Human–Machine Interface (HMI) layout optimization methods that cannot quantitatively integrate multi-dimensional indicators (component importance, usage frequency, operating comfort and visual attention), this paper proposes an integrated ergonomic optimization framework for the HMI layout of oil rig driller’s consoles. First, Siemens Tecnomatix Jack is adopted for virtual ergonomic simulation to detect defects of the original layout from the perspectives of reachability, visibility and operating comfort. Second, the Analytic Hierarchy Process-Group Eigenvalue Method (AHP-GEM) is adopted to calculate the comprehensive weights of component importance and usage frequency; the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) and expert scoring are further combined to quantify weights of operating comfort and visual attention. According to simulation outputs, all interface components are systematically allocated to the corresponding panel areas to form an optimized layout scheme. Finally, subjective expert scoring and objective Jack simulation are jointly used to compare the original and optimized layouts. The results show that under the proposed AHP-GEM weighting framework and expert evaluation system, the optimized HMI layout achieves a mean composite rationality score of 4.38, representing a 30.8% improvement over the original layout (3.35), with significant enhancements in functional zoning and layout rationality. The proposed method offers feasible theoretical and technical support for ergonomic layout design of complex industrial HMIs.