We sometimes support student projects that have relevance to our business. For many projects you can be living anywhere in the world as long as you are at a recognised college or University and have e-mail.

The following subjects are currently in our thoughts:

  Lumbar Support Evaluation

  Knee Shoot in slumped sitting

  Anthropometry

  Time/task management software

Lumbar Support Evaluation

This final year or postgraduate project would involve evaluating the different designs of lumbar supports available on the market. The products will be tested both objectively (pressure mapping and pain questionnaires/diaries) and subjectively (preference and usability questionnaires). A range of volunteer subjects will be used, to include people with back complaints and the disabled.

The resulting data will guide the development and support the marketing of the Open Ergonomics BackShape Back Support.

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Knee shoot in slumped sitting

This short project will involve measuring the forward knee movement that occurs when seat occupants slump. A range of volunteer subjects will be measured for sitting height and knee-to-back-of seat distance at each of several postures, from perfectly upright to very slouched. Subjects will be measured and categorised for stature, leg length, weight, buttock circumference and age/sex, and the experiment will include different types of seat.

The resulting data will be used to improve our PeopleSize software, and the student and college will be accredited in the help system.

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Anthropometry

We are always interested in any project that involves physical measurement of people.

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Time/task management software

This longer project is for a final-year programming student, and will entail building an application that embodies a new logic for a to-do list and appointment calendar. Interface design will be a prominent feature of the process. If a merchantable product results a royalty on sales will be paid to the student. The development environment can be C++, Delphi, or VB.

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