Experiment on Form-Morphing Handles for Anthropometric Shapes and Reduced Contact Pressure in Load-Transfer Use Cases

This chapter delves into the evaluation of form-morphing handles designed to adapt to individual users' anthropometry and varying load transfer tasks. The study examines three types of handles—personalized, optimized, and adaptive—and their effects on contact pressure distribution across six different tasks. The research highlights that adaptive handles significantly reduce mean contact pressure compared to personalized and optimized handles, indicating improved comfort and usability. The adaptive handle's form-morphing capability allows it to conform to the user's hand shape, enhancing load transfer efficiency. The study also explores the task-specific differences in ideal handle forms, suggesting that adaptive handles can be tailored to optimize performance for specific tasks. The results of this research have practical applications in product design, particularly in industries where handle ergonomics play a crucial role, such as medical devices, automotive, and consumer electronics. By understanding the relationship between handle design and contact pressure, designers can create more comfortable and efficient products for users.