Computerized Human Manikins for Development and Fabrication of Ergonomic Products - A Review and Concept for Comprehensive Software

Farm mechanization has played a key role in increasing production and productivity of farm and farmers in the country with suitable farm equipment/machineries for most of the unit farm operations. The developed farm equipment/machinery are being used by the farmers, particularly men while women farmer are still in passive role in agriculture. This might be due to lack of addressing the gender issues in it. Attempt is being done at various research organizations but same could be more effective, if at source, the gender issues are being taken up. Use of human manikins is started in developed country on the basis of anthropometric data and interfacing with product/work place during the design process. Scope of this technology can be effectively incorporated in developing farm equipment and thereafter its lab testing to produce gender-friendly farm equipment/machines. Anthropometric data, physiological data, strength data, biomechanics, working environment and soil conditions may be integrated in developing comprehensive software attached with human manikin for development of ergonomic products and their fabrication. After that it may be linked with product manufacturing software for refining the product in gender perspective. This would have advantage of developing/producing ergonomic farm equipment which will help in reducing the cost of cultivation by encouraging passive farm workers (women) to active mode.