Design of Fixed, Portable, and Mobile Information Devices
In this chapter, the authors propose some ideas and considerations for dealing with ergonomic concerns for portable mobile technologies in addition to updating information on fixed computer workstation applications. The relative importance of the screen, input devices, and hard copy depends primarily on the task, and this can influence the design considerations necessary to improve operators’ performance, comfort, and health. Today, people carry their computing and communications on their person and engage in activities in many diverse work areas without a workstation. There is a potential for serious ergonomics risks from the new modes of using new technologies. Human-Computer Interaction Committee of the International Ergonomics Association produced a guideline for the use of laptop computers to improve ergonomic conditions. This was prompted by the ever-increasing sales of laptops and the replacement of fixed PCs by portable laptops on fixed working surfaces.
