Ergonomics in Product Design

Inclusive Design in Intimate Tech: What “For Every Body” Really Means View My Portfolio. Inclusive sexual wellness isn’t a slogan—it’s a measurable standard across ergonomics, materials, and guidance. Design requirements you can measure • Fit range: Offer 3–5 size/shape variants or modular sleeves; target ≥90% hand-size reachability (thumb–index span) in usability tests. • Force & comfort: Keep sustained contact pressures under ~20–30 kPa; enable low-start intensities with 10–15% ramp steps. • Noise & discretion: Aim <45 dB at 30 cm for “quiet use.” • Grip & control: Achieve ≤5% slip rate in wet-hand tests; one-handed operation for all core actions. • Menopause & sensitivity: Provide “warm-up” modes (lower amplitude/longer pulses) and pair with pH-friendly lubricants/moisturizers. • Neurodiversity & sensory needs: Offer low-latency tactile cues, a “simple mode” UI, and clear on-device icons (no app required). • Accessibility: High-contrast labeling, tactile bumps on buttons, and magnetized or drop-in charging. Operational playbook Recruit diverse testers (age, anatomy, mobility, neurotype). Run scenario-based tasks (reach, grip, cleaning, storage). Track outcomes: completion time, error rate, perceived effort, comfort (Likert), and return reasons. Ship guidance, not just hardware: 4–12 week use paths, contraindications, and care tips. At V For Vibes, we curate and develop products against these inclusivity KPIs—prioritizing ergonomics, body-safe materials, and clear education so more people achieve safe, comfortable results. #SexTech #SexualWellness #InclusiveDesign #HumanFactors #Accessibility #UXResearch #Ergonomics #ProductDesign #WomenInTech #Neurodiversity #MenopauseCare #PrivacyByDesign #DTC #VForVibes

💡 Pro tip for exoskeleton developers and ergonomists: An exo's ability to generate a given amount of force or torque differs from its ability to offload the user, e.g., to reduce back strain felt by a worker. 🤷🏾♂️ Sometimes the differences are drastic. Sometimes they're relatively small. ⚡️ Yesterday, I posted an example highlighting the importance of understanding, measuring, and reporting the USER-CENTRIC metrics, NOT DEVICE-CENTRIC metrics with exos. ⚠️ That 1st example was a cautionary one that: (i) showed low back relief experienced by the wearer was only 1/3 of the peak assistance output by a given exo, and (ii) explained the underlying biomechanical principles. 📍 However, the focus of our 2024 publication was on a different type of elastic (passive) exosuit. In this 2nd example, the difference between the max device torque and the amount of back offloading was much smaller—about 18% rather than 66% difference. ❌ But it's not a simple matter of powered vs, passive, or rigid vs. soft, or anything like that. ✅ It depends on a bunch of different details related to how an exo was designed, and what tasks its being used for. Exo efficacy really needs to be evaluated for specific products (or prototypes). 🤔 If you're thinking about evaluating elastic (passive) exos, then there are 3 factors that you need to be aware of and account for during analysis: (1) postural effects, (2) hysteresis, and (3) the trunk-worn weight of the exo. 1️⃣ Postural effects refer to the fact that peak lumbar moment (when back strain is highest) typically occurs a short time after peak trunk-to-thigh angle, due to the dynamics of accelerating the body and object upwards. Therefore, the user’s body tends to be in a slightly less flexed posture, which equates to slightly less displacement (and force and moment) from the elastic element of the exo at this moment. 2️⃣ Hysteresis refers to mechanical energy loss due to friction in the elastic element(s), interface(s) to the body, and underlying biological tissues. Hysteresis results in lower elastic force during the lifting (ascending, extension) phase relative to the lowering (descending, flexion) phase of the movement. Given the wide range of hysteresis values for different springs and exo products—ranging from <10% to >50%—it is prudent to estimate these values for specific exos of interest. 3️⃣ The trunk-worn weight of the exo creates a lumbar flexion moment during forward bending that partially counteracts the lumbar extension moment provided by the exo’s elastic element. Thus, trunk-worn weight should be accounted for when calculating the net exo moment contributions. 🎯 TL/DR: If you want to understand the real support and relief provided by an exo, then you need to focus on USER biomechanics, NOT just DEVICE outputs. With back exos specifically, you need to account for: 1. timing, 2. weight, 3. hysteresis. 👇🏽 Learn more in the paper below. #exoskeletons #exosuits #biomechanics #ergonomics

Poor user experience? Your product might look good, but if it doesn’t align with human factors and ergonomics, you’ve missed the mark. Is your product visually appealing but ergonomically frustrating? Here’s why and how to fix it. hashtag #userexperience #HumanFactors #Ergonomics #ProductDesign 💡 Consideration: How We Use a User-Centric Approach to Solve Poor User Experience 1. Understanding the User: We dig deep to understand not just what the user wants, but what they physically and psychologically need, aligning with principles of human factors and ergonomics. 2. Feedback Loops: Real-world testing and analytics help us grasp how users are truly interacting with your product, allowing for design adjustments rooted in actual experience. 3. Iterative Design: Version 1 is just the start. We iterate based on user feedback and ergonomic assessments, ensuring a user-friendly end product. 4. Multi-disciplinary Teams: Our design and engineering teams collaborate to harmonize form, function, and human factors, taking into account both aesthetic and ergonomic considerations. 5. Accessibility: By making your product accessible, we expand your brand’s reach and ensure it fits a wide range of user needs, guided by ergonomic principles. 6. Attention to Micro-Interactions: Details matter. Whether it’s a button’s responsiveness or the layout of a menu, we integrate human factors to elevate the entire user experience. hashtag #UserCentricDesign #HumanFactors #Ergonomics #industrialdesign #productdesign #productdevelopment #userexperience If you find that your product falls short in user experience, particularly in ergonomics and human factors, let’s talk. We can turn that frustration into user delight. ----- I'm Jonathan Thai , a seasoned Silicon Valley designer with over a decade under my belt bringing products to life. Through Hatch Duo LLC and more, I've crafted, invested, and steered ventures to the forefront of innovation. Considering a game-changing product or venture? Check out our design studio here: www.hatchduo.com

Have you ever questioned the connection between ergonomics and productivity? Here’s a reality check: Operator fatigue in manufacturing doesn’t just cause discomfort—it silently chips away at productivity, safety, and product standards. But here’s the good news: tackling it isn’t rocket science. By integrating ergonomics with tools like MURI mapping, you can transform how your team works—reducing strain while boosting efficiency. Let me walk you through the connection: 1️⃣ Understanding MURI: The Hidden Strain MURI, meaning "overburden" in Japanese, is one of the 3Ms of Lean. Think of it as the invisible stress—mental or physical—that adds unnecessary weight to your team or machines. It’s not always obvious, but left unchecked, it snowballs into inefficiencies and injuries. Your move: Start with an honest audit of tasks, tools, and motions. Identify the pain points—what’s overloading your team? 2️⃣ MURI Mapping: Shining a Light on Red Zones Mapping MURI involves breaking down tasks into bite-sized motions. Each motion is scored on ergonomic risk factors like awkward postures or repetitive movements. The result? A clear risk roadmap, highlighting "red zones" where fatigue is silently doing damage. Pro tip: Your operators are your best resource here. They live the process and know the strain better than us 3️⃣ Countermeasures: Turning Insights Into Action Once you see the problem areas, it’s time to act. Redesign tasks to reduce repetitive strain. Reorganize layouts to make movements natural and efficient. Equip the team with ergonomic tools—adjustable workstations, better grips, or vibration-dampening equipment. Real-world win: Some manufacturers, like forklift makers, build in vibration-reduction features to keep operators comfortable and sharp all day. 4️⃣ The Big Win: Efficiency Through Well-Being When ergonomics takes center stage, the benefits ripple across the organization: Less fatigue means fewer injuries. Fewer injuries mean more uptime and better output. A happier workforce equals higher retention and better morale. It’s the classic win-win: when your people thrive, your business thrives. 5️⃣ Continuous Improvement: Making It a Habit Here’s the kicker: ergonomic excellence isn’t a one-and-done deal. Review regularly. Build in feedback loops with employees. Track progress. Use data to uncover new opportunities for improvement. Embed ergonomics into your culture. When it becomes a part of your DNA, the gains multiply over time. Mindset shift: Ergonomics isn’t just about safety—it’s a cornerstone of operational excellence. By prioritizing ergonomics and using MURI mapping, you unlock more than just comfort—you unlock untapped potential, driving productivity while protecting your team. What’s your secret to tackling ergonomic challenges in your operations?