2026-09-19T08:02:55Zhttps://dspace.mit.edu/server/oai/requestoai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/393382022-01-13T07:55:02Zcom_1721.1_7582com_1721.1_7581col_1721.1_131023
William J. Mitchell.
Künzler, Patrik A. (Patrik Alwin)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Architecture. Program In Media Arts and Sciences
Program in Media Arts and Sciences (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
2007-10-22T17:38:28Z
2007-10-22T17:38:28Z
2007
2007
http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/39338
173521254
Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Architecture and Planning, Program in Media Arts and Sciences, 2007.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 89).
This thesis explores how natural bodily movements can be translated into a control interface for vehicles. Focusing on the car, our goal is to increase human performance and wellbeing while eliminating the traditionally antagonistic relationship between comfort and freedom of movement vs. support, safety and sensing the car. We will discuss seating, traditional controls, their origins, evolution, and their implications in the context of today's cars. Based on the physical demands of the vehicle environment, and on positive body experiences from sports and other concepts of movement, we will then explore how we could re-think the function, self-image, and presentation of the human body in the context of cars. We will develop a seat prototype, which will encourage beneficial body sensations and - motions, taking into account the shapes, textures, and emotional significance of touch and movement in and by itself, and in the car environment. The core of our concept will focus on natural movements of the lower back and hips, as experienced when walking or skiing. Building on the exoskeleton-like "Athlete Seat," which blurs the boundaries between wearing and sitting in, we will develop the core prototype out towards the upper body and limbs.
(cont.) We will develop a second prototype, which will have pelvic movements in the frontal plane as done when walking, bicycling, or dancing, as the basis of its concept. This prototype will be connected to a car simulator to investigate if good vehicle control can be achieved with our method. In a second stage, we will systematically evaluate the car control, wellbeing, and fun aspects in a user study. Our modular design will be usable in parts and adaptable to various uses, in vehicles, for entertainment, exercise, wellbeing, and medical purposes, improving physical condition and the way we relate to our bodies.
by Patrik A. Künzler.
S.M.
89 p.
eng
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.
http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582
Architecture. Program In Media Arts and Sciences
Humanseat : semi-wearable seating concepts for vehicle control, medical, and wellbeing applications
Semi-wearable seating concepts for vehicle control, medical, and wellbeing applications
Thesis
application/pdf
Publication
unknown
unknown
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<Abstract>This thesis explores how natural bodily movements can be translated into a control interface for vehicles. Focusing on the car, our goal is to increase human performance and wellbeing while eliminating the traditionally antagonistic relationship between comfort and freedom of movement vs. support, safety and sensing the car. We will discuss seating, traditional controls, their origins, evolution, and their implications in the context of today's cars. Based on the physical demands of the vehicle environment, and on positive body experiences from sports and other concepts of movement, we will then explore how we could re-think the function, self-image, and presentation of the human body in the context of cars. We will develop a seat prototype, which will encourage beneficial body sensations and - motions, taking into account the shapes, textures, and emotional significance of touch and movement in and by itself, and in the car environment. The core of our concept will focus on natural movements of the lower back and hips, as experienced when walking or skiing. Building on the exoskeleton-like "Athlete Seat," which blurs the boundaries between wearing and sitting in, we will develop the core prototype out towards the upper body and limbs.</Abstract>
<Abstract>(cont.) We will develop a second prototype, which will have pelvic movements in the frontal plane as done when walking, bicycling, or dancing, as the basis of its concept. This prototype will be connected to a car simulator to investigate if good vehicle control can be achieved with our method. In a second stage, we will systematically evaluate the car control, wellbeing, and fun aspects in a user study. Our modular design will be usable in parts and adaptable to various uses, in vehicles, for entertainment, exercise, wellbeing, and medical purposes, improving physical condition and the way we relate to our bodies.</Abstract>
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