VirtualMan: A High Precision, Fully Articulated Human Model

Computer models of the human body geared towards ergonomic analysis generally have a robot-like appearance. While some analysis tasks do not require a better representation, a high precision body surface is essential to perform some ergonomical analysis tasks. Recent advances in 3D digitization allow for whole body scanning, at a speed that allows the scanned subject to keep a static posture throughout the entire scanning process. It is hence possible to scan a subject at different key postures, and to then use an interpolation technique to model the deformation of the body as a function of the data acquired at each key posture. This paper addresses the development of VirtualMan, a software featuring an articulated human model capable of representing muscular deformation with an accuracy of 3-4 mm.