Human Factors / Ergonomics Instructor: Jose Alcala

Final Project: Interactive Exhibit AD 201 Section 002

Due no later than Friday, May 15 at 5:00 PM NJIT Spring 2013


Biological Prosthetic: Hand Tools from Stone Axe to Robotic Surgery
Description

Humans exist and evolve in a dynamic relationship with the rest of nature. In spite of our
impressive cognitive and technological abilities we remain, after all, fundamentally
biological creatures. With that said, humans have found ways of evolving outside of the
limits of our own biology through a biocultural evolution
1
. This marks the difference
between tool-using, as in man, and tool-growing, as in most animals. No other biological
novelty has been more instrumental to the success of Man than the co-evolution of the
human hand and the human brain.

It is because of this novelty that allowed Man to be the first animal to grow a limb
outside himself through the making and using of tools. These tools do not only serve to
manipulate his environment, as a means to improve his chances of survival, but also to
gain control over nature by magnifying his power and reach. Though the power and
versatility of the human hand is evident, it is the human brain, with its intricate and
elaborated nervous system, that commands and coordinates man's eye and hand to
satisfy its needs. Thus, man is born with a hand free to do the bidding of his expanded
brain, as Kant is reported to have said, "the hand is man's outer brain."


Objective

Using all the knowledge you have acquired thus far as well as the information attached
to this brief, you are to design an interactive exhibit that addresses the following criteria:
1. Physical Ergonomics
a. Anthropometric target: 50th percentile
b. Satisfies ADA requirements
c. Addresses Universal Design principals
d. Human-machine Interaction
2. Cognitive Ergonomics
a. Human-computer Interaction
b. Interface / graphic strategy
c. Information navigation and hierarchical architecture

The subject of the exhibit Biological Prosthetic: Hand Tools from Stone Axe to Robotic
Surgery, is intentionally vague so that it gives you plenty of freedom to interpret the
content and meaning of the exhibit.


1
The pattern of human evolution in which the effects of natural selection are altered by cultural inventions.
Culture can alter the direction of evolution by creating non-biological adaptations to environmental stresses
(e.g., wearing insulating clothes on very cold days rather than evolving fur, making tools for defense to
compensate for lack of biological weapons like strength, speed, claws, teeth, etc.).
Design Brief

Client: Museum of Human Evolution, Burgos, Spain

Exhibit Hall: Biological Prosthetic: Hand Tools from Stone Axe to Robotic Surgery

Target Audience: Children to senior citizens

Equipment: At minimum, the following equipment should be included in your
designs:
One CPU
One 20 LCD flat screen monitor (either static or interactive)
One Digital Projector
Assorted peripherals (as needed)
Assorted furniture (as needed)

Scope: Design of one 20 x 20 x 15 ht. Thematic Exhibit Hall entitled -
Biological Prosthetic: Hand Tools from Stone Axe to Robotic Surgery.
Exhibit hall to include, at minimum:
One interpretive Exhibit Kiosk with haptic interface
Assorted static graphics and 3D artifacts displayed
Lighting (as needed)
One dynamic media projection with sound

Deliverables: Due no later than Friday May 15, at 5:00 PM
May be submitted as earlier as May 10 but not later than the 15th

One project package in PDF form delivered to me via email to
jose@madlabllc.com. If your file is too big to email you may do it
through a Dropbox account, just send me an invitation via email.

Project Package must include (at minimum):
1. Thematic Exhibit Hall - include all objects / elements, equipment,
walls, ceiling and floor finishes and materials. Openings,
thresholds and ADA related requirements must be addressed.

Include the following drawings (at minimum):
Interior Perspective(s) rendered (physical or digital), include
scale figure.
Floor Plan
Elevations, include scale figure
Section, include scale figure

2. Interpretive Exhibit Kiosk The Interpretive Exhibit Kiosk lives
within the Thematic Exhibit Hall (see #1 above). A haptic interface
must be included in the exhibit kiosk (i.e. the hand must be used
to physically interact with the exhibit contenta touch screen is
not adequate. The haptic device and all elements of the kiosk
must be designed to be ergonomic. Include all objects / elements,
equipment, and materials in the kiosk. ADA related requirements
and Universal Design principles must be addressed including
adequate approach, knee space, reach, etc.

Include the following drawings, at minimum:
Perspective(s) rendered (physical or digital), include scale
figure.
Top view with dimensions
Front view with dimensions, include Anthropometric Avatar
from assignment 2
Side view with dimensions, include Anthropometric Avatar
from assignment 2

3. Interactive Media The Interactive Media lives within the
Interpretative Exhibit Kiosk (see #2 above) and the haptic
interface interacts with the Interactive Media. The role of the
Interactive Media is to tell a more detailed story of the Biological
Prosthetic Exhibit (along with the static graphics and 3D artifacts.
Its intent is to help the user navigate through layers of content
and complex information in an intuitive, informative and
entertaining way. ADA related requirements and Universal Design
principles must be addressed including readability, cognitive
appropriateness, ease of use, etc.

Include the following, at minimum:
One storyboard of Interactive Media (minimum 5 pages). Be
sure to demonstrate content flow and hierarchy, graphics /
animations, text/copy, etc.
Narrative of Interactive Media, minimum one page type written.
A narrative is essentially the telling of a story in prose. It is a
personalized account of the experiences, events and emotions
a user may encounter.

Note:
Since this class has students from a variety of disciplines with a wide
range of skills, technical knowledge and discipline specific goals, the
format of the deliverables will be left up to each group of student to
determine. It is my hope that you will use this opportunity to showcase
your individual talents and your unique creative problem solving ability
in the best way you know how. There are no rules as to what type of
format or medium you can include: you may draw, prototype, write
(narrative, descriptive, etc.) photograph, animate, simulate,
storyboard, diagram, etc. or any combination of these formats
including formats that I did not list here. What is critically important is
that the material be delivered in a clear, cohesive and coherent way
that is easy to understand and follow. That means you must have a
neatly packaged project with at minimum title, your name, page
numbers, images scaled properly and labeled, hand drawings (if
applicable) scanned (not photographed), written content spell checked
and a cohesive graphic language.

It is also understood that this is a charrette project so it is meant to
be done quickly. Since you have a short amount of time to get it done,
you should organize yourselves and prioritize your tasks accordingly.

References: Interactive Exhibits:
http://www.exploratorium.edu/partner/pdf/Interacty_article3_finweb.pdf

Haptic Technology:
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/everyday-tech/haptic-
technology1.htm

Interactive Media:
http://www.archimuse.com/publishing/hypermedia/hypermedia.Ch21.p
df