Seat Comfort Prediction with Pressure and Posture

The proposed study presents a novel hybrid tool that integrates virtual and real environments to evaluate seat comfort, focusing on contact pressure, joint angles, and overall body posture. It addresses the research question of how such a hybrid approach can enhance the accuracy and efficiency of seat comfort assessments compared to traditional methods that often rely on subjective feedback and neglect sitting posture comfort. The proposed tool employs Computer-Aided Design (CAD) for human mannequins and seat designs, using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to measure contact pressure and human factors simulation software for posture and joint angle analysis. Validation involves pressure mapping and motion capture systems in real-world settings, while an Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) determines optimal sitting configurations. This integrated approach offers a comprehensive assessment framework of seat comfort to evaluate various postures and assess comfort levels across different seat designs.