Development of the Virtual-Human SantosTM

Abstract

This paper presents the background and history of the virtual human Santos TM developed by the Virtual Soldier Research (VSR) Program at The University of Iowa. The early virtual human environment was called Mira TM . This 15-degree-of-freedom (DOF) upper-body model with posture and motion prediction was funded by John Deere Inc. and US Army TACOM Automotive Research Center. In 2003 US Army TACOM began funding VSR to develop a new generation of virtual humans called Santos (109 DOFs), which was to be another generation of Mira. Later on, Caterpillar Inc., Honda R&D North Americas, Natick Soldier System Center, and USCAR (GM, Ford, and Chrysler) joined the VSR partnership. The objective is to develop a new generation of digital humans comprising realistic human models including anatomy, biomechanics, physiology, and intelligence in real time, and to test digital mockups of products and systems before they are built, thus reducing the significant costs and time associated with making prototypes. The philosophy is based on a novel optimization-based approach for empowering these digital humans to perform, un-aided, in a physics-based world. The research thrusts include the following areas: (1) predictive dynamics, (2) modeling of cloth, (3) hand model, (4) intuitive interface, (5) motion capture, (6) muscle and physiology modeling, (7) posture and motion prediction, (8) spine modeling, and (9) real-time simulation and virtual reality (VR). Currently, the capabilities of Santos include whole-body posture prediction, advanced inverse kinematics, reach envelope analysis, workspace zone differentiation, muscle force and stress analysis, muscle fatigue prediction, simulation of walking and running, dynamic motion prediction, physiologic assessment, a user-friendly interface, a hand model and grasping capability, clothing modeling, thermo discomfort assessment, muscle wrapping and sliding, whole-body vibration analysis, and collision avoidance.

Achieving Closed-Loop Control Simulation of Human-Artefact Interaction: A Comparative Review

“…As an alternative to control exerted by simulated cognition, the original developers of Santos have proposed the consideration of scenarios to schedule high-level motor control in human-product interactions based on conjecture [98]. Actually, the scenario (also known as use case) appears to have become the prevalent umbrella concept for the specification of conjectured human actions, in particular on the level of decision making.…”

Artificial Neural Network-Based Prediction of Human Posture

“…The underlying human model used with this work is Santos [7], which is built on a biomechanically accurate musculoskeletal model with 55 DOFs. Santos's anthropometry can be altered on the fly as can the range of motion (ROM) for each joint.…”

Using a scalable mock-up unit to consider ergonomics aspects during industrial vehicles design process

“…En effet, l'approche numérique nécessite un investissement financier moindre et un gain de temps non négligeable dans ce milieu très concurrentiel de l'industrie automobile. A titre d'exemple, nous pouvons citer des outils de types mannequins numériques [11,1], tels que Human DS®, Anybody®, Santos®, etc., qui intègrent des modules dédiés à la prise en compte des aspects anthropométriques des futurs utilisateurs Cependant, les limites du prototypage numérique ont été rapidement atteintes, nécessitant un retour au prototypage physique. Plus précisément, il est reconnu, dans la conception de véhicules automobiles, que les décisions importantes concernant le design intérieur et extérieur sont toujours faites sur des maquettes à l'échelle 1 [33].…”