Measuring of Human Anthropometry, Posture and Motion

An electronic measurement system called PCMAN has been developed by the Institute of Ergonomics of the Technische Universität München to carry out body and posture measurements. PCMAN can produce model-like, three-dimensional images of a body quickly, reliably and precisely. The resulting data can be computer-processed using the CAD human model RAMSIS. PCMAN works with several images taken from different directions. From these, three-dimensional coordinates can be calculated by measuring corresponding points on the frames. The RAMSIS grid model can also be fitted into the subject's body measurements and posture. This is done by over-laying RAMSIS on the bitmaps of the subject and adjusting it to the subject's exact shape by changing the body surface and the location of the joints. PCMAN works with standard cameras operating at 25 frames per second. This makes it possible to study not only static postures but also whole motion sequences and thereby acquire a better understanding of human posture and motion.