To assist automotive seat development, methods for predicting the posture of seated occupants have been developed which utilize two-dimensional computer models constructed using commercial kinetic modeling software. The first model is a two-dimensional representation of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) three-dimensional testing manikin. This model was used to simulate experimental data collected with the SAE three-dimensional testing manikin regarding the stiffness and support force distribution of an automotive seat cushion.; The second model developed was the torso geometry and articulation of a mid-size male model known as JOHN. The kinetic two-dimensional JOHN model was used in a comparative seat study to determine the effect of different seat geometries on the final posture of the model.; This thesis describes the development, use and application of these models for improving automotive seat development.
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