Operator Performance Studies III: Three-Dimensional Equations for the Hand Motion Path

Abstract

This article discusses the development of three-dimensional prediction equations for the hand motion path. The variables considered are the distance moved and the direction of motion. The two sets of equations developed, one for 90-degree motions and the other for motions in other directions, indicate that it is possible to model three-dimensional body-member motions accurately. While distance is found to have a negligible effect on the motion path pattern, the effect of direction is uniform except for the 90-degree motion. It is also seen that the overall length of the motion path is only slightly more than the linear movement distance, and that the depth dimension in a three-dimensional motion is negligible.