Challenge

Driver comfort plays a significant role in automobile purchase decisions, yet it is often difficult to accurately test and measure.

Modern vehicles typically feature steering wheels with multiple integrated buttons and controls designed to improve convenience and intuitiveness.

As a result, steering wheels must be carefully engineered to meet important ergonomic requirements and ensure an optimal user experience.

Solution

The Glove System allows engineers to identify and analyze the forces and pressures experienced by each finger, the thumb, and the palm—providing valuable data to refine steering wheel design.

The Grip Pressure Mapping System measures and records dynamic pressures and forces applied by the hands and fingers while gripping, lifting, or turning the steering wheel, as well as when interacting with various touchpoints.

These tests can also quantify the vibrations transmitted to the driver’s hands during driving or idling, supporting improvements in steering wheel comfort and even broader vehicle design enhancements.

With the support of Sensor Products International’s experienced sales and engineering teams, each system can be configured to meet specific research, development, or production needs.

Measurement Capabilities

• Identify areas of high and low pressure on the hand
• Determine the force required to grasp an object
• Detect and analyze vibration effects
• Support R&D for new steering wheel and interior designs

Benefits

• A single test subject can grip multiple objects in various ways once both hands are instrumented
• Provides detailed ergonomic data for improved driver comfort
• Enables more efficient and evidence-based design decisions