Real Time Kinematic and Electromyographic Analysis: a Feasible Methodology for Assessing Comfort Perception

Driving comfort is a key emerging factor for the marketability of cars due to the growing interest in the evaluation of ergonomics in cars. Typical ergonomic issues, related to the locomotor system, happens when the muscular effort is too high to perform the task or kinematics is too restricted [MARE]. The ergonomic evaluation identifies the critical aspects of the steering task and intervenes to reduce injuries, thus increasing the driver's well-being. The subjective evaluation of driving comfort is still the most used way to design a car seat; this limitation could be overcome by using emerging technologies [MARE]. The activity of trapezius muscles of both shoulders is assumed as predicting factor of car seat comfort while driving. The present research aims to analyze the feasibility of kinematic analysis and muscle activity during car driving in terms of quantitatively detecting trapezius muscle activity in real-time condition.