Design specifications for Multi-Function Consoles for use in submarines using anthropometric data of South Koreans

•Design specification of MFC console was suggested and verified.•Anthropometric data of South Koreans was utilized.•A design procedure used in this study promoted an interdisciplinary approach.•Human simulation modeling enabled quick-examination of the design suitability.

These days, the importance of Human Factors and Ergonomics (HF&E) when producing military systems is being increasingly recognized. However, existing literature and guidelines have predominantly focused on the minimum requirements rather than optimal parameters when HF&E departments have associated with designers and engineers. Thus, in this paper, we investigate a design process suggesting optimal parameters for multi-function consoles (MFCs) installed in submarines using anthropometric data for Koreans. The design procedure utilized in this paper follows “clarification”, “analysis”, “design”, “simulation”, and “evaluation”. For the clarification step, effective design factors taking into account operators' postures were identified via the task analysis. During the analysis, HF&E criteria as well as the ethnic characteristics of Koreans were investigated to evaluate the minimum requirements of design factors. The anthropometric data from the Size Korea project, which includes measurements from a total of 14,016 people from the Republic of Korea, were utilized to suggest appropriate ranges for the design parameters. Design and simulation steps were iteratively preceded by evaluating the design specifications for their appropriateness through human simulation modeling. Finally, a full-scale mock-up was developed; 10 HF&E experts conducted the direction and detection tasks carried out by navy crews to evaluate reaction time as well as subjective comfort. Thus, with the results from this study, we were able to successfully suggest and validate the design specifications for submarine-mounted MFCs for Korean use by utilizing Korean anthropometric data.