The Third Dimension

A person stands perfectly still, arms outstretched, the ebb and flow of their breath pauses while their entire body is mapped by an electronic scanner. A computer begins analysing their physical structure. It constructs a 3D model of their body and positions it within a range of simulated aircraft frames. The mood is anxious, yet optimistic. Soon they will know if they fit the mould. Soon they will know if their ambition will be satisfied.

It might read like science fiction but this is a scenario that may be faced by all prospective air-crew within the Australian Defence Forces. The ADF is investing $4.2 million to ensure that personnel assigned to its aircraft will be able to operate the equipment safely and efficiently, without being physically compromised by the confines of space.

It is an endeavour of vast proportions and the University of Ballarat (UB) is undertaking a significant component of the project by analysing anthropo-metric data and creating specialised modelling software.

UniSA, assisted by the Australian Sports Commission, have spent months scanning the bodies of a collection of 18 to 30 year old volunteers — men and women — from across Australia.

A harmless, low-intensity laser is passed down the body of each volunteer and strategic measurements are taken.

It is these anthropometric measure-ments which are passed on to the technical wizards at the Centre for Informatics and Applied Optimization (CIAO) within UB. Significant points which identify the length of major bones, widths and girths of areas such as the shoulders and waist as well as measurements of height and weight

are collected to produce a three-dimensional ‘mannequin’ or digital model of each volunteer.

Crewstations (cockpits) from a range of ADF craft were also scanned (by Sinclair, Knight Mertz) and translated into 3D spatial images by the team at CIAO. The human models are positioned into the digital crewstations to determine which people ‘best fit’ the spaces.

With the assistance of software interface company ‘Permian’, the outcome will be a highly refined software package which, if implemented, will allow the ADF to determine each pilot’s physical capabilities and limitations within any pre-scanned crew space.

As personnel apply to pilot or crew particular craft, this software could assist the ADF in determining some critical factors… can that person reach crucial equipment, might their ability to read displays be compromised, are they likely to be injured by anything within the cockpit? If the person’s physical structure were likely to pose risks, then they would be assigned to a more appropriate aircraft. If their anthropo-metric dimensions were considered within the range of ‘best fit’, it should be all systems go for take-off!