Evaluation of the Workplace Environment in the UK, and the Impact on Users’ Levels of Stimulation

The purpose of this study is to evaluate a number of recently completed workplaces in the UK. The first aim is to assess the impact of various aspects of the workplace environment on users’ levels of stimulation. The body of previous research undertaken into the workplace environment, identified the aspects to be investigated. Samples of employees from the sixteen businesses were surveyed to determine their perceptions of the workplaces. The results were entered into a regression analysis, and the most significant predictors of perceived stimulation identified. The data also revealed a dramatic reduction in staff arousal levels from mornings to afternoons. Thus, there is a second aim to determine whether changes to significant aspects of the workplace environment during the day can counteract the reduction in users’ stimulation. Two further workplaces were studied to enable changes to be made over a 12-week period. A sample of employees completed questionnaires, and semi-structured interviews revealed the reasons behind the results. It was found that provision of artwork, personal control of temperature and ventilation and regular breaks were the most significant contributions to increasing stimulation after lunch; while user choice of layout, and design and décor of workspaces and break areas, were the most significant aspects at design stage

A Real Time Anatomical Converter For Human Motion Capture

There are many possible ways of identifying the posture of a human character from a set of known positions. These methods differ in subtle but important ways. We propose an alternative method to the jacobian-based Inverse Kinematics, one which allows for simple calibration, allows for sensors slippage, and can take advantage of knowledge of the type of motion being performed. This approach gives real-time conversion of magnetic sensors measurements into human anatomical rotations. Our converter is used in a wide range of applications from real time applications to animation design. It provides a useful complement to the traditional keyframe editing software