Republic of the Philippines

BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY

The National Engineering University
Lipa Campus
A. Tanco Drive, Marawoy, Lipa City, Batangas, Philippines 4217
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 980-0385; 980-0387; 980-0392 to 94; 774-2526 Local 3108
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

ACTIVITY 1
ERGONOMIC REMOTE
I. Introduction
Ergonomics focuses on how people interact with products, devices, equipment, and
processes in everyday life. This type of study is needed in the design of everyday products to
improve performance, convenience, efficiency, and productivity. Anthropometry, meanwhile,
focuses on obtaining systematic measurements of the human body. It is also used as the basis for
setting up a workstation. This will be significant for the development of an ergonomic remote
control.
A remote control is an electronic device used to operate another device from a distance. In
popular culture, it is closely linked to television control. A remote control was used to watch
preferred entertainment on television. But the majority of them are not comfortable to use because
they are not ergonomically designed, which causes various injuries to the hand.
When using a television remote control, gripping, reaching, clenching, holding, and
twisting are not harmful hand movements. What makes them is the continual repetition of these
movements, the force exerted, the speed and lack of recovery time between them. Therefore, this
study was conducted to design an ergonomic remote control. Hand measurements are taken into
account for its development. This ergonomic remote control can help prevent musculoskeletal
disorders (MSD) in the hand, wrist, and arm of the user.

II. Method
This study was conducted within the campus of Batangas State University-The National
Engineering University-Lipa Campus, involving group members participants to be measured and
develop an ergonomically designed television remote control based on the anthropometric
measurements. This study is qualitative research because it features and explores new and
innovative ideas for a new product from the researchers. It also allows the researchers to get
significant feedback from a possible user of the product.

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Lipa Campus
A. Tanco Drive, Marawoy, Lipa City, Batangas, Philippines 4217
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 980-0385; 980-0387; 980-0392 to 94; 774-2526 Local 3108
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

The researchers first did brainstorming, where they shared their ideas for a general topic.
The researchers identified several issues with using television remote controls, including improper
wrist and finger posture (ulnar deviation), difficult-to-touch buttons, button size, and button
identification.
After identifying the problems, the researchers think about the possible solutions to the
problems. To design an ergonomic remote control, hand anthropometric measurements that would
be suitable for the design were taken into consideration. Instruments such as tape measures were
utilized to measure the hand. Centimeters were used as a metric unit of measurement.
Lastly, after measuring and collecting the data, the researcher sketched the tentative design
for the TV remote control alternative. After sketching, the researchers used the Sketchup
application to finalize the design of the TV remote control alternative. This demonstrated its
improvements in how this TV remote control can create an accessible, aesthetically pleasing, and
ergonomic product. The designer also considers how customers interact with the product on a daily
basis.

III. Data Analysis and Design

This study's goal was to develop and construct a wide range of remote-control ideas to
evaluate their ergonomics, practicality, and fun factor. The study was carried out taking into
account the ideas of behavioral usability both technically (referring to an object's usability) and
emotionally (referring to ideas such as entertainment and elements that help strengthen the user's
experience).

Since the design is a hand-operated device, hand anthropometric measurements are taken
into account to design a remote control that fits each type of hand shown in figure 1.1 and 1.2.

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Lipa Campus
A. Tanco Drive, Marawoy, Lipa City, Batangas, Philippines 4217
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 980-0385; 980-0387; 980-0392 to 94; 774-2526 Local 3108
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

Figure 1.1. Anthropometric Measurements Guide

Source: Image from Industrial and Interaction Design, “Sennheiser Cordless Mixer”
Figure 1.2 Anthropometric Measurements

# HAND cm # HAND cm
MEASUREMENTS MEASUREMENTS

1 Hand length 19 11 Index finger thickness 1.5

2 Palm length 11 12 Hand breadth metacarpal 9.5

3 Thumb length 6 13 Hand breadth across thumb 10

4 Index finger length 8 14 Hand breadth minimum 8

5 Middle finger length 9 15 Hand thickness metacarpal 2.5

6 Ring finger length 8.5 16 Hand thickness with thumb 5

7 Little finger length 6.5 17 Maximum grip diameter 5

8 Thumb breadth 2 18 Maximum spread 18

9 Thumb thickness 1.5 19 Maximum functional spread 16

10 Index finger breadth 1

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Lipa Campus
A. Tanco Drive, Marawoy, Lipa City, Batangas, Philippines 4217
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 980-0385; 980-0387; 980-0392 to 94; 774-2526 Local 3108
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

The researchers developed this design after conducting hand anthropometric measurement.

Figure 1.2. Concept Design of TV Remote

Figure 1.3. The Orthographic View and its Dimensions

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Lipa Campus
A. Tanco Drive, Marawoy, Lipa City, Batangas, Philippines 4217
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 980-0385; 980-0387; 980-0392 to 94; 774-2526 Local 3108
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

The design of an ergonomic remote control was executed as follows:

1. Remote's design and its control functions.

This remote has large but easy-to-touch controls for the user to find it easily and
focus on its usability.

Soft and Big Buttons

2. TV Remote shape.

The shape of this TV remote was like a shoe because it is ergonomically designed
to fit the users better, be widely accessible, and offer comfort for the fingers and wrist.

Like a “Shoe” shape for easy handle

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Lipa Campus
A. Tanco Drive, Marawoy, Lipa City, Batangas, Philippines 4217
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 980-0385; 980-0387; 980-0392 to 94; 774-2526 Local 3108
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

IV. Conclusion

The researchers' anthropometric data has been determined for the design of a television
remote control. The measured anthropometric data are the hand measurements, such as hand
length, palm length, thumb length, index finger length, middle finger length, ring finger length,
little finger length, thumb breadth, thumb thickness, index finger breadth, index finger thickness,
hand breadth metacarpal, hand breadth across thumb, hand breadth minimum, hand thickness,
metacarpal, hand thickness with thumb, maximum grip diameter, maximum spread, and maximum
functional spread. The researcher found a possible solution after identifying problems in using the
television remote control. A new ergonomically designed television remote control was proposed.
This new television remote control design has a length of 14.478 cm, an upper width of 3.81 cm,
a lower width of 3.302 cm, and a thickness of 1.27 cm. Each button has a thickness of 0.152 cm.
This new television remote control can help prevent Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSD) in hand,
specifically wrist and finger posture (ulnar deviation).

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Lipa Campus
A. Tanco Drive, Marawoy, Lipa City, Batangas, Philippines 4217
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 980-0385; 980-0387; 980-0392 to 94; 774-2526 Local 3108
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

Group Members:
CABADIN, Rosabelle
DE CHAVEZ, Nest Lee
DELEN, Chloei
LA ROSA, Lovely
LUBID, Jericho
MAGADIA, Donnavie
RECINTO, Lalaine

Submitted to:
Engr. DIANA ROSE D. LLARINA
Instructor

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation