Putting Everyday Products to the Test

Reported September 2006

ATLANTA (Ivanhoe Broadcast News) -- There's a field based on psychology and engineering called human factors. Its mission? To determine how easy -- or hard -- it is for you to use everyday products.

James Johnson spends every day problem solving a trick to help him type or use his cell phone.

"I have some little tools that make things easier for me to do the day-to-day work," he says. In June 1998, Johnson broke his neck while diving into a pool. Among his injuries, he has no finger function.

Today, Johnson helps human factors engineer Brad Fain, Ph.D., test products at Georgia Tech Research Institute's Human Systems Engineering Branch in Atlanta.

"We do a checklist evaluation when we do a test for military programs. We do a checklist evaluation when we test for a coffee can," Fain tells Ivanhoe.

These tests will determine if these products meet government standards and the requirements from the Arthritis Foundation. First, product testing looks at how people adapt to using the product. Next, task analysis identifies what someone will do with the item. Then, a requirements checklist shows what users need for the task.

"We tailor that down to the individual product being tested," Fain says. "So we might only have nine or 10 for a coffee canister, but we might have 250 for a copier."

Next, functional requirements testing. This device shows how much force is required to open a product. Then, it's on to consumer testing. When Johnson approaches the copying machine, the copier legs get in the way, and the drawers are hard to open.

The last step? Fain offers design suggestions.

Section 508 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act requires equipment to be accessible to those with disabilities. Consumer product manufacturers want the Arthritis Foundation's Ease-Of-Use Commendation because it sets their product apart from others.

Click here to Go Inside This Science or contact:

Brad Fain, Ph.D.
Georgia Tech
Atlanta, GA
(404) 894-7261
brad.fain@gtri.gatech.edu

Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
Santa Monica, CA 90406
(310) 394-1811
http://www.hfes.org

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