The South African won’t be attending the Olympics in Beijing, at least not as a competitor as the international governing comittee ruled against the prosthetics as providing an advantage over “normal-bodied” competitors.

Quote from NYTimes:

Brueggemann’s biomechanical and physiological analysis found that from a mechanical standpoint, the Cheetahs were more efficient than a human ankle and could in fact return energy in maximum speed sprinting.

I understand that the comittee had an extensive, scientific study of the drag and the energy return of his angles that would propel Mr. Pistorius down the track. Regardless, I’m not sure if anyone ever bothered asking a very simple question:

What advantages does Mr. Pistorius lose with the absence of his feet?

If we consider the response rate of a toe hitting the ground, sending the signal to the brain to start the next motion, the simple fact that Mr. Pistorius doesn’t have the 500,000 years of adapted muscle and nerve endings should automatically be considered the largest disadvantage ever.

How about muscle development in general? In what ways has using prosthetic feet–and to be accurate, it’s more like 1/2 his leg as well–in what ways has this altered the entire structure of his muscles? What natural advantages did he lose? This doesn’t even begin to address how a child born with no fibulae in both legs, amputated to the knees at 11-months has had to over-come the loss in muscle development (this is a factor of time: me having both legs and feet in normal conditions have been developing muscle mass since day one).

I said it best when I realized it was an issue of elitism, aesthetics, and the “perfect” human form.

Another quote:

Last week, the I.A.A.F. allowed Pistorius to circulate the findings from the Cologne tests to a number of other experts. Based on their opinions, Van Zyl believes that Pistorius still has a strong case.

“Everyone that came back to us said that there were too many variables that weren’t considered and that more testing should be done,” he said. “They said a verdict can’t be reached only on the information that was collected.”

I’m officially boycotting the Olympic games. Way to be bigots.

When you think about it though, our interaction with technology (a concept that I tend to see as basically synonymous with ergonomics) is really all about buttons in some form or another.

From the first TV remote control to the Wii remote, from rotary phones to the iPhone–looking at the history of buttons, how they’ve changed and how we’ve changed as a result, is a suprisingly interesting lense through which to view ergonomics and product design.

 

[tags]buttons, HCI, interaction design[/tags]

You just may be able to get a treadmill-workstation at your local office supply store sooner than you think. Steelcase recently unveiled its design of the concept, the Walkstation, which will be available for purchase in November.

 

 

The question is, will companies allow their employees to use such workstations?  Are they practical for current office space layouts?  Will HR departments deem the benefit worth the cost?  What about the risk of injury?

I’m excited to see how this all plays out–are treadmill workstations the wave of the future, or are they destined to go the way of many other revolutionary ergonomic products (just too different to be widely accepted in the average workplace)?

More on the Walkstation:

Trendhunter

Engadget

Gizmodo

The days of hanging out in the break room or lounge are over. We feel more connected on our computers than we do face to face (admit it, you talk to your coworkers IM more than you do in person), so why step away from your computer for a bite to eat with friends?

A lot of reasons. First of all, you know by now that taking frequent breaks to stretch and get away from your computer is one easy way to prevent repetitive strain injuries. Secondly, taking time to have lunch with coworkers and talking about “non-work stuff” can help forge connections that just might help you get a promotion (everyone likes outgoing, sociable people…not loners that eat at their desk). Thirdly…your desk is disgusting:

A study by microbiologist Charles Gerba found the typical office area can contain 400 times more germs than a toilet seat. Telephones came in as the number one home for office germs, followed by desks, water fountain handles, microwave door handles and computer keyboards. Surprisingly, toilet seats consistently had the lowest bacteria levels of the 12 surfaces tested in the study.

Is Eating Lunch at Your Desk Making You Sick?

[tags]computer, desk, lunch[/tags]

Typically, I take in criticism of ergonomics quite calmly because, to a certain degree, I also doubt the extent to which ergonomics can change the course of a workday.

Most of Ulanoff’s two ergonomics posts are devoted to how he can’t type.

I’ve seen people who over years of pecking at keys have become quite good/efficient/quick at it. Hell, we all know that the QWERTY setup was meant to slow us down, so it should really be no surprise that there are people out there who can type quite quickly without resting on the home keys.

But, pecking is not typing.

Moreover, it’d be damn-near impossible for an engineer to design something that would be ergonomically useful for the masses if he’s basing the design on one rouge user pecking at an example keyboard. That’s like someone inventing a new way to write and starting with a made up language that only the inventor knows!

Mr. Ulanoff continues his diatribe on the Microsoft wireless products defaming American culture. He sites the Chinese as hard workers, who never take naps during work. Now, I’ll admit that his statements were probably meant to be a bit tongue in cheek…BUT, let’s face it: if the Chinese were so freaking advanced, they wouldn’t be taking American made products, attempting to reverse engineer them and then resell them for 1/2 the price.

Of course, one other thing to note is that the Chinese government had to exectue the director of their [equivalent] FDA for approving drugs that were known to increase the chance of death, etc. Meaning, HUMAN RIGHTS issues.

Is Mr. Ulanoff even going so far to say that manufacture-based labor is not worthy of ergonomically designed workspaces? I’m sure he is quite comfy at his desk job compared to the near-slave labor of “$45 per month” (his #, not mine), so the slight jump from ‘bad’ keyboard to ‘best of the best’ may not make much of an impact. Well, duh! You’re already a spoiled American-Brat! What did you expect!
Maybe I’m being to harsh; should we can ask him What kind of desk chair do you have? Are you able to adjust it?

Better yet, Mr. Ulanoff: are you allowed to leave your desk for a break (water, loo, whatever)?

That one “ergonomic trick” could be what’s making such a difference for you already and you wouldn’t even know it.

One other thing, Mr. Ulanoff! When our stone-aged relatives were kickin’ it in their stone homes, stone chairs and stone beds (i.e. rocks, boulders, etc), the life expectancy was about 20 to 35 years…

So, what’s that you’re saying about product design? You don’t think what?

Oh, practically nothing…that’s right…practically nothing…

For a more sober reaction to his post, check this site out.

Here’s a pull quote on how they would have helped Mr. Ulanoff:

“In Ulanoff’s case, a true ergonomic intervention based on ErgoWeb’s definition, would have started with his input as to his concerns followed by an assessment of his work environment and his work methods. Typing style would have been observed and, being a hunt-and-pecker (one of the safer typing styles), a change in keyboard would not likely have been recommended unless the evaluation pinpointed a specific concern. The intervention would also have addressed some of the following: length of time at the keyboard, placement of the monitor and keyboard, location of the mouse, posture, response to stress when meeting work deadlines, and environmental factors (noise, lighting, glare, clutter). Checking back with Ulanoff after a brief interval to see if his concerns had been alleviated and his issues resolved (if he had any to begin with) would have gone a long way towards diminishing any ill will.”

I guess at the end of the day, I’m scratching my head wondering who in the right mind gave this Mr. Ulanoff-guy a job.

[tags] ergonomics, ulanoff, product design, microsoft, china, human rights, engineering, keyboard [/tags]

In this recent post, he sites an AP article claiming that the German government is investing in a next-generation search engine. He titled his post, “And way off in the distance, $165 million is tossed into an incinerator…”

Obviously, Marcie-boy doesn’t think that Google can be stopped. It may be that one of the masterminds of Netscape and Ning (not forgetting Opsware) thinks that Google runs king. As for how we interact with information, Google is a far cry from being the ruler. I’m surprised that someone so successful doesn’t recognize that just because everyone uses it, doesn’t mean it’s the best.

As for how we interact and find information, I’m sure there will be better solutions for searching available down the road. Really, something that can make sense of video is desperately needed but ‘teaching’ a computer how to recognize what it sees is no simple feat. That’s certainly one of the major challenges for developers now. I can think of more than one company that is exploring this as-yet unconqured territory. If Google was such a success of simple text searches, I can only imagine how “powerful” the company that masters Video Search will be…
So, Mr. Anderseen, is it really money down the drain?

Besides, didn’t you just get even richer than before because of a buy-out?

Meaning, if Goliath always rules, why did HP just purchase little ol’ David?

[tags] pmarca, marc anderseen, google, search technology, competition, innovation, etc [/tags]

Its called the MagicWheel.

I’ve read studies (and will post links here when I can find them) that show that riding a bike in a city is a much more efficient use of time and energy. Specifically, eliminating the need to find a parking spot leads to time savings as much as 5 min over a three mile range; plus, this doesn’t even include the saving of environmental impact due to carbon emissions.

BUT, anyone who lives in a city also is very aware of the risk entailed with leaving a bike outside–even locked up with the most expensive Kryptonite Lock is a major risk.

Here’s enters the MagicWheel; here’s the specs off the website:

MagicWheel features:

• Weight: 6.3 KG
• Max Height: 29 inches
• Wheel Dia: 26′ / 20mm
• Rear direction wheel:125mm x 25mm
• Wheel used: Professional sports wheel
• Frame: High quality reinforced ABS plastic
• Colour: Black & Red
• 90 days warranty, tool kit & user manual included
• Rider Weight: Maximum 110 Kg

That’s definitely small enough to fit under any desk or into any nook within an office or restaurant/cafe. Gone are the days of kicking yourself over not having insurance for your $3,000 bike that’s only used for getting around town that was just stolen while you were in the restroom of your favorite cafe.
Here’s a video for you to take a look at, as well as a few others you might want to see.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1OGHuGSPAw]

[tags] magic wheel, transportion, driving, biking, product review[/tags]

For those of you not familiar with the situation, I’m linking a number of ‘catch up articles.’

(IMHO) What’s the most important take away?

For me, it was the realization that the current attitude toward people with disabilities is very similar to the bigoted position we Americans found ourselves during the ‘50s, 60’s and 70′s (not that the situation is completely better). Specifically, the attidute that someone with a disablity, where science & engineering has been able to overcome that disablity, competing with “normal” able-bodied individuals would tarnish and degrade the sport is unbelievably intolerable.

The controversy surrounding whether Mr. Pistorius is giving himself an advantage is an important one for maintaing a semblance of parity on the competitive field but let’s not get carried away in our attempt at protecting the ‘Spirit of Competition’ by keeping some of humanity’s best engineering accomplishments out of competitions because it “dirties” a sport. I agree complete with Selene Roberts that this is an inspirational story and Mr. Pistorius would inspire a lot of people by competing in the ‘08 Olympics in Beijing.
“There’s not one runner in the world that would give up his legs to have what this runner does,” said Casey Martin. (Casey Martin for you not in the know–I certainly was unaware–established a precedence at PGA tours for using a golf cart becuase a birth defect causing poor circulation to his legs while able to compete at golf was unable to walk an entire 18 holes).

I think that about puts it right out there: nobody–and I do mean nobody–would trade in a set of legs for a set of cheetahs.

I’ve made jokes about bionic parts integrating with the human body but the assumption with my whimsical fantasy is that I’m still made of human flesh with warm blood pumping through my veins. I think we’ll all know when scicence and engineering get us to the point of looking like Borg.

[tags] oscar, pistorius, engineering, cheetahs, olympics, nytimes,casey, martin, bigotry, disabilities, ergonomics, product design, running, competing [/tags]

The key to Crocs’ success is not necessarily their unique look, but rather their comfort appeal. An ergonomic footbed reduces leg and muscle fatigue, and the foam-like material they’re made out of moulds to the shape of your feet with a little time and body heat.

Crocs is now branching out into new shoe genres, from boots, flip flops,and yes, even heels! I can hardly contain my excitement! Call me crazy, but these just may be the shoes I’ve been waiting for. They’re not four inch stilettos, but hey, baby steps!

[tags]crocs, high heels[/tags]

The first site will be great to keep an eye on for the music enthusiast looking for a few ideas in the arena of body-friendly instrument design. There’s already a plethora of awesome material so check it out!
The second site is to a guy building his first ergonomic guitar. The post I’m linking to hear is an interesting read for his motivation and ruminations on the shape of a guitar.

Here’s an example of the design he’s working with now: (Forshage)

I want to thank Robert Irizarry for bring his site to my attention! [tags] guitar, ergonomics, project[/tags]