LABORATORY ACTIVITY

Ergonomics Activity No. 4

ERGONOMIC TV REMOTE CONTROL

Group Members:
Delos Santos, Britanny Fae
Dimaculangan, Nina Angelica
Eguia, Jannelyn
Ilagan, Jasmin
Javier, Nicole Marie

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IE 133L – Physical Ergonomics Laboratory

 I. Introduction

Remote is a component of an electronic device used to operate the device wirelessly from a distance. A remote control is
primarily a convenience feature for the user, and can allow operation of devices that are out of convenient reach for direct operation
of controls.

Early televisions remote controls (1956-1977) used ultrasonic tones. Present day remote controls are commonly consumer
infrared devices which send digitally-coded pulses of infrared radiation to control functions such as power, volume, tuning,
temperature, set point, fan speed or other features.

Remote controls are usually small wireless handheld objects with an array of buttons for adjusting various settings such as
television channel, track number and volume. For many devices, the remote control contains all the function controls while the
controlled device itself has only a handful of essential primary controls.

II. Objective

The objective of the activity is to be able to determine and measure the hands and create an ergonomically design of a
remote control which is to achieve a comfortable and appropriate designed television remote control and lessen strains and harm.

III. Methodology

Considering the group collected data of hand grasp, the group used the anthropometric measurements collected for the
product modifications. The layout and function of the buttons can be specified with maximum flexibility and we can fully have
customized the programming of each remote control so that the users can perform their work intuitively, safely, and efficiently.

IV. Equipment/Materials Used

 Tape measure or Ruler (preferably in centimeters)
 Pencils and ballpen
 Bond paper
 TV remote controls (can be shared among team members)
 Illustration board
 Shoe glue

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V. A. Data Collection and Analysis

Measuring Measurements

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B. Summary of Anthropometric Measurements
Group Members
Features Measurements ( Centimeters)
Delos Santos, Javier, Nicole Marie Ilagan, Jasmin Dimaculangan, Nina Eguia, Jannelyn
Britanny Fae Angelica
1. Thumb 5 5.8 5.5 5 6
Length
2. Index Finger 7 7.4 8.5 6.5 6.9
Length
3. Middle 8 7.9 9 7.5 8.7
Finger
Length
4. Ring Finger 7 7.4 8 7 7
Length
5. Little Finger 5 5.6 5.5 5.5 5.6
Length
6. Thumb 1 1.7 1.6 2 2
Breadth
7. Hand 9 9.0 8.3 9 9
Breadth
Across
Thumb
8. Hand 8 8.6 8 7.5 8.1
Breadth
Minimum
9. Hand 5 5.8 3.5 2 3.5
Thickness
with Thumb
10. Maximum 5 4.1 5.5 4 4.5
Grip
Diameter

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VI. Sketch

Old Remote New Ergo Remote

Introducing a new smart remote evolved to have a variety of convenient features, so you can live smarter. It should
not be complicated by unnecessary buttons because its touchscreen and should provide a concise design with intuitive
navigation. It provides voice recognition to quickly search for the titles instead of having to type them out, it has hot keys
for frequently used apps so you can access them with a single touch. It is able to control all external devices that are
connected because it provides Bluetooth. The latest Smart TVs offer convenience of operating them through remote
control apps that you can install on your mobile phone. So now, when your lying on the couch with your phone in hand,
there’s no need to get up to find the remote.

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Prototype of the New Ergonomic Remote

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VII. Conclusion

From the results generated on the measurements of the hands, the group had formulated a design of a new
ergonomic remote control with features which is accurate in the collected measurements of the hand. The prototype of the
remote control was built and it is proposed to have an innovation with features using advance technology which is the
capability of the remote having voice recognitions and touchscreen features to allow people have the convenience and
comfort in using the innovative developed remote control. Using this innovative remote will lessen the strains and fatigue of
the hand controlling the television because it was built with structures that has accurate size accordingly to the
measurements of the hands gathered by the group which come up with an ergonomically slim design remote control.

1. Was your partner able to use the remote easily and comfortably? If not, what changes would you make to your design?
Yes, because we measure the new remote based on the appropriate measurements gathered. We based it in the
average measurements of our hands. So we are able to come up in the design of the remote which is used in a comfortably
and easily manner. The remote is designed to lessen the strains and fatigues of hand of the person using the remote to
promote a sustainable and convenience through the innovative structure of the remote control.

2. Were the anthropometric features you chose in Step 4 helpful when calculating the remote’s measurements? If not, which
features would you have measured?
Yes, it is helpful because the 10 hand features that we included in this activity have the measurements which is
incline on the remote control we designed and to formulate it ergonomically for each people to use. Also, it helps to locate
and focus more on the hand features which is often used in the usage of operating the television through remote controls.

3. How important is it to know math when solving engineering problems?

It is important to know math when solving engineering problems because an engineer can make a precise calculation
in the said problems knowing the fact of problem solving techniques. In addition, math has a huge contribution in our lives
to have an accurate calculation especially on engineers in solving a problem which requires numbers and figures.

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 Significance of the Activity

The significance of the activity is to develop and proposed an ergonomically new design of a television remote control
to help people using the remote to have a comfortable and appropriate usage of the remote control which is accurate for
different hand measurements. In addition, it provides a proper health measures in people using the remote which is designed
to their physical features specifically their hands because the buttons are ergonomically placed in the right order for the
fingers to easily reach and do not have a hard time to control and press the buttons that is usually used like for example the
power button, the volume up and down buttons, and the channel button. The wireless functionality of the remote will allow
people to have a control on their televisions in the most convenient manner because you will not go closure to the television
and just press the buttons in the remote which will also lessen the harm for your eyes to have safe distance from your
television screens. The structures and features of the remote is designed with technology involved which is easy to hold or
grip which lessen the tired and strained hands, fingers, and arms in controlling the television and advanced features because
of the innovative design of the remote.

VIII. References

Technopedia Inc. (2020). Remote Control. Retrieved

from: https://www.techopedia.com/definition/17269/remote-control-rc

Tele Radio. (2019, October 18). Ergonomically remote. Retrieved from:

https://www.tele-radio.com/ergonomically-remote/

Phifer, J. (2003). Ergonomic television remote control. Retrieved from:

https://patents.google.com/patent/US7170420B2/en

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