Dr. Matthew P. Reed

Research Associate Professor
Head, Biosciences Group, University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute
Director, Human Motion Simulation Laboratory, University of Michigan

Friday, April 13, 2012, at 3:00 PM
Warnock Engineering Bldg. Rm. L104
Reception to follow at 4:00 PM

Seminar Abstract

The design and assessment of products and workspaces is increasingly benefiting from software modeling of humans interacting with virtual environments.These digital human models allow more rapid and extensive ergonomic and biomechanical assessments than are possible with physical prototype testing, but considerable work remains to improve the fidelity and utility of the models. At the University of Michigan, research is under-way to improve the modeling of human anatomy, including skeletal, soft-tissue, and external anthropometry for injury biomechanics assessments. We combine data extracted from medical images and external surface body scans to create statistical models capable of predicting body posture and shape for a wide range of task condi- tions. We use whole-body motion capture data, including detailed measurement of grasp, as the basis for algo- rithms that predict human motion in and around vehicles during both assembly and operation. Combining these models yields high-fidelity simulation to improve human safety and performance.

About Dr. Reed

Dr. Reed is a Research Associate Professor and Head of the Biosciences Division of the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute. Dr. Reed also serves as the Director of the Human Motion Simulation Labora- tory at the Center for Ergonomics in the University of Michigan Industrial and Operations Engineering Depart- ment. He has conducted research on occupant restraint systems, emphasizing investigation of airbag-induced injuries, crash dummy positioning procedures, belt restraints, and child passenger safety. He has developed tools for the ergonomic design of vehicle interiors, including widely used posture prediction and motion simulation algorithms for use with digital human figure models. Dr. Reed is a Fellow in SAE International and a member of the SAE Human Accommodation and Design Devices Committee, Driver Vision Standards Committee, and Truck and Bus Human Factors Committee. Dr. Reed has received the SAE Award for Excellence in Oral Presentation nine times, as well as the Lloyd L. Withrow Distinguished Speaker Award in 1997, 2004, and 2010. He has received outstanding paper awards from the Society of Automotive Engineers: the Arch T. Colwell Merit Award in 2005, the Myers Award in 2000, and the Isbrandt Award for crash safety research in 1996 and 2004.

For more information about Dr. Reed’s research, visit the Whole-Body Anthropometry website.