Design, selection and location of foot controls

Abstract This paper presents a systematic approach to optimize the design variables of foot controls. Measures of work performance (e.g. force, speed and accuracy), strain and occupational safety as well as the skills and properties of the foot-leg system and the special coupling conditions between foot and control are taken into account. This approach provides a detailed checklist for the design engineer in industry. It can be used for both problem solving and initial design tasks. A detailed task analysis helped gather information about all the important factors affecting the design variables. Finally, the paper presents an example of the design work dealing with the kinematic response characteristic of pedals.