20th International CODATA Conference
Session: TBA

Anthropometric Databases and Applications

Régis Mollard
Université René Descartes Paris 5 - Ergonomie, Comportement et Interactions (EA 4070) -
Laboratoire d'Anthropologie Appliquée, Frane

Research centers, manufacturers and industries are now more and more interested in 3-D anthropometric data, their need is not only focussed on raw data and/or classical statistical data processing. It is necessary to transform these data in a comprehensive and well-adapted manner to facilitate their integration in the design processes.

Regarding to this need, the aim of the World Engineering Anthropometry Resource (WEAR) project is to develop data models and software tools of an on-line world-wide information system for utilizing the latest anthropometry databases in engineering environments. So, one of the research issues that must be addressed is to characterize populations of 3-D subjects in a manner that can be effectively searched and visualized, and to develop tools to manage the transfer to the computer aided design processes of end-users.

It is foreseen that this world wide resource of anthropometric and ergonomic data can be accessed through a central portal to a distributed on-line database system to share raw data and data processing tools developed by WEAR. This distributed database structure will be developed using the same protocols of exchanges retained for the grid structure of Biomedical databases in USA. It shares the set up and running of multiple websites and management and administration is done from the primary website. So, it is necessary to define the structure of one or a series of databases linked together, with a direct access through the web. Based on the definition proposed by the WEAR group, it appears the on-line system will have numerous sub-systems:

•   Organized data files of 1-D and 3-D raw data linked with data query tools and statistical modules.

•   Shape analysis methods.

•   Biomechanical data files.

•   Bibliographical data files and synthesis files in ergonomics.

•   Methods and/or tools for fit tests.

•   Examples of results for design purposes.

•   Tools for on-line help and assistance.

In order to begin the integration process we are developing an ontology, a formal definition of the relationships between the identified data of interest. For example our initial ontology represents anthropometric measures as defined in a preliminary dictionary of anthropometric landmarks. The landmarks are categorized into measures of points, ines, and planes commonly used in a wide range of anthropometric databases. Many databases already exist and the key purpose of the ontology is to aid in the integration of these databases into a coherent system which can be used to make meaningful queries to solve real-world problems.

Keywords: databases, anthropometry, ontology, ergonomics.