1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,000 Hi, we're the Treehouse Detectives. Are you Ms. Ryan? 2 00:00:03,000 --> 00:00:04,500 Yes, how can I help you today? 3 00:00:04,500 --> 00:00:09,000 We're designing a lift here on a pulley system to help get our friend with a broken foot up into the treehouse. 4 00:00:09,000 --> 00:00:11,000 And we want to make sure that it is safe to use. 5 00:00:11,000 --> 00:00:13,000 Well, you've come to the right place. 6 00:00:13,000 --> 00:00:16,000 I am a safety engineer here at NASA Langley Research Center. 7 00:00:16,000 --> 00:00:18,000 What does a safety engineer do? 8 00:00:18,000 --> 00:00:24,000 Well, we do lots of things, like evaluating projects or jobs to identify potential hazards or risks. 9 00:00:24,000 --> 00:00:30,000 We also develop safety plans and guidelines that help prevent harmful accidents, incidents, or mishaps. 10 00:00:30,000 --> 00:00:34,000 Wow, that sounds like a cool job, and lots of responsibility. 11 00:00:34,000 --> 00:00:39,000 Yes, and we're doing more than developing rules. We're actually protecting people, property, and the environment. 12 00:00:39,000 --> 00:00:43,000 And we need to protect Jacob. What are some things that we should consider? 13 00:00:43,000 --> 00:00:45,000 How much will you be lifting? 14 00:00:45,000 --> 00:00:47,000 About 120 pounds. 15 00:00:47,000 --> 00:00:52,000 You'll need to know if there's a load limit on the ropes, pulleys, or anything else you will be using in the lifting process. 16 00:00:52,000 --> 00:00:55,000 We hadn't thought of that. How do you figure out the load limit? 17 00:00:55,000 --> 00:01:01,000 Most of the time it's printed on the packaging of a product. If not, look for the manufacturer and contact them directly. 18 00:01:01,000 --> 00:01:03,000 We will definitely do that. 19 00:01:03,000 --> 00:01:06,000 Is there a safety catch on your pulley system? 20 00:01:06,000 --> 00:01:08,000 No, I don't think so. 21 00:01:08,000 --> 00:01:13,000 A safety catch or a locking mechanism of some kind are very important in case the people pulling the rope lose their grip. 22 00:01:13,000 --> 00:01:15,000 It would catch and stop the fall of the chair. 23 00:01:15,000 --> 00:01:18,000 We have a lot to check out and to research. 24 00:01:18,000 --> 00:01:23,000 Also, make sure your equipment is in good working order. You don't want to use worn or broken equipment. 25 00:01:23,000 --> 00:01:29,000 And don't forget that we have to make sure the tree limb is strong enough to support Jacob, the lift chair, and the pulley system. 26 00:01:29,000 --> 00:01:34,000 Now you're getting it. And don't forget about testing your equipment before you lift anyone. 27 00:01:34,000 --> 00:01:36,000 We'll be sure to test everything. 28 00:01:36,000 --> 00:01:38,000 You'll also need to consider human factors. 29 00:01:38,000 --> 00:01:43,000 While you're here at the center, you should talk to Dr. Carla Torella. She's a human factors engineer. 30 00:01:43,000 --> 00:01:44,000 Great! 31 00:01:44,000 --> 00:01:46,000 I'll give her a call and let her know you're coming. 32 00:01:46,000 --> 00:01:47,000 Thanks! 33 00:01:47,000 --> 00:01:49,000 You're welcome. And good luck with your project. 34 00:01:56,000 --> 00:01:59,000 Oh, hi, Catherine. Laura Ryan said you'd be stopping by. Have a seat. 35 00:02:02,000 --> 00:02:03,000 How may I help you? 36 00:02:03,000 --> 00:02:07,000 Our friend Jacob broke his foot, and we've designed a lift chair to help him to get into the treehouse. 37 00:02:07,000 --> 00:02:11,000 Ms. Ryan gave us some good suggestions on how to make the chair safer. 38 00:02:11,000 --> 00:02:15,000 But she said that we should also consider the science of human factors. 39 00:02:15,000 --> 00:02:17,000 She said that you could help us with human factors. 40 00:02:17,000 --> 00:02:23,000 I sure can. Human factors is the design of things, spaces, and processes so they fit better with people, 41 00:02:23,000 --> 00:02:27,000 in terms of how people are designed physically and how we process information. 42 00:02:27,000 --> 00:02:29,000 Why is it important? 43 00:02:29,000 --> 00:02:33,000 Well, when things or processes or areas are designed without considering human factors, 44 00:02:33,000 --> 00:02:36,000 they may be really difficult to use, and so they may not be used at all. 45 00:02:36,000 --> 00:02:38,000 So where do you start? 46 00:02:38,000 --> 00:02:41,000 Well, we start with standards and guidelines that are based on scientific principles. 47 00:02:42,000 --> 00:02:45,000 And, for example, they help us understand how the eye works, 48 00:02:45,000 --> 00:02:48,000 which would help us understand what colors to use in our displays. 49 00:02:48,000 --> 00:02:49,000 Oh, I get it. 50 00:02:49,000 --> 00:02:54,000 Then we use what we know is good for human operators, and we get real operators involved in the process. 51 00:02:54,000 --> 00:02:55,000 This is called user-centered design. 52 00:02:55,000 --> 00:02:57,000 What are you working on now? 53 00:02:57,000 --> 00:03:02,000 Well, here at Nesselinger Research Center, we design displays and aiding technologies for airplane cockpits. 54 00:03:02,000 --> 00:03:06,000 We do user-centered design of these concepts by involving real pilots 55 00:03:06,000 --> 00:03:09,000 and testing them in aircraft simulators like this one, the IFD. 56 00:03:09,000 --> 00:03:10,000 What is the IFD? 57 00:03:10,000 --> 00:03:12,000 The IFD is Integration Flight Deck. 58 00:03:12,000 --> 00:03:16,000 The IFD is a copy of the flight deck on the NASA Boeing 757. 59 00:03:16,000 --> 00:03:19,000 We learned that in designing, you have to use the iterative process, 60 00:03:19,000 --> 00:03:22,000 where you test, evaluate, and redesign. 61 00:03:22,000 --> 00:03:24,000 Human factors is sort of like that. 62 00:03:24,000 --> 00:03:25,000 Yes, that's right. 63 00:03:25,000 --> 00:03:28,000 The iterative design process is an important part of user-centered design. 64 00:03:28,000 --> 00:03:31,000 You want to involve users all the way through the process, 65 00:03:31,000 --> 00:03:34,000 from concept formation all the way through to testing in a real environment. 66 00:03:34,000 --> 00:03:37,000 What kind of human factors should we consider for our lift chair? 67 00:03:37,000 --> 00:03:39,000 Well, first you need to define your user population. 68 00:03:39,000 --> 00:03:41,000 Will Jacob be the only one using the chair? 69 00:03:41,000 --> 00:03:43,000 Will other friends use it as well? 70 00:03:43,000 --> 00:03:45,000 We hadn't thought of other users. 71 00:03:45,000 --> 00:03:48,000 It would be nice to have for other people who might need to be lifted. 72 00:03:48,000 --> 00:03:52,000 You need to consider your users' requirements, the design goals, too. 73 00:03:52,000 --> 00:03:55,000 So they may be safety, comfort, usability. 74 00:03:55,000 --> 00:03:56,000 Anything else? 75 00:03:56,000 --> 00:03:59,000 You need to consider the anthropometric characteristics of your users. 76 00:03:59,000 --> 00:04:02,000 Anthropometric? What is that? 77 00:04:02,000 --> 00:04:05,000 Anthropometry is the study of measuring people. 78 00:04:05,000 --> 00:04:08,000 There's static measurements, such as arm length and height, 79 00:04:08,000 --> 00:04:11,000 and then there's functional measurements, such as viewing angle and reach. 80 00:04:11,000 --> 00:04:14,000 Wow, we have a lot to consider. 81 00:04:14,000 --> 00:04:15,000 Thanks, Dr. Lattarella. 82 00:04:15,000 --> 00:04:17,000 Oh, you're welcome. 83 00:04:17,000 --> 00:04:18,000 Let me know how your chair works out.