Examples Of Good And Bad Ergonomy (week 9)

 

Examples Of Good And bad Ergonomics

Wikipedia defines Ergonomics as “the application of psychological and physiological principles to the engineering and design of products, processes and systems.”[1]. The effect of cumulation of ergonomy contributes to the overall wellbeing and the output and productivity of the affected workplace. Even simple ergonomic changes can caused a great improve productivity akin to the same way consistent miniscule changes can contribute to a great change, very similar to the butterfly effect phenomenon. Good ergonomy makes daily work easier and healthier for the employee or the user of the technology.

Microsoft Ergonomic Surface Keyboard

Microsoft created the Microsoft Ergonomic Surface Keyboard in the hopes of creating:

  • A design optimised for productivity
  • A natural arc and slope
  • A palm rest covered in stunning two-ton grey melange Alcantara
  • Bluetooth 4.0

·   


img src:https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61jcP-trvhL._AC_SL1200_.jpg
 

The Microsoft Ergonomic Surface Keyboard though a bit pricey has been considered a great product by most that own it or have reviewed it.

 

This has been as stated on the Microsoft website:

“Ergonomic Keyboard's subtle changes to the keytop geometry, split space bar and naturally arched shape protect you from wrist and hand strain, and improve your typing form to speed up your words per minute.” [3]

  

The double padding makes the product a lot more comfortable[2]. This can also be said about the curvy design of the keyboard, the curvy design is not just a gimmick but is a design choice made for making adjustments of the hand as comfortable as possible by making sure your hands rest at a natural angle conducive to typing[4] which would also prove useful in prevent wrist injuries such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, an injury that causes pain, tingling and numbness of the wrist. It is caused by the compression on the nerve due to the swollen tendons around it (the carpal tunnel)[5]. If left untreated, it can cause atrophy of the affected muscles in the palm[6]. Another wonderful portion of this technology is the fact that the typing is extremely silent and efficient. The keys display and ergonomic finish too with all the keys having embedded divots for your fingers to sink into while typing.[7]

 

Apple Butterfly Keyboards

The Apple Butterfly keyboard was made with the hopes of achieving: [8]

  • A keyboard that was 40% thinner[8]
  • 4 times more stability[8]
  • less pressure needed to press a key when it is pressed[8]
  • A new system to revolutionise the keyboard[8]

img src: https://i.insider.com/54fddab46bb3f715267376de?width=700&format=jpeg&auto=webp

Apple was extremely optimistic with the newly released hardware change claiming that typing with new keyboard would feel crisp and responsive. Despite Apple’s optimism, the general public protested alleging that the decision to transition was horrible[9]. The keys had no travel[9] and it was analogous to typing on a touchscreen[8] on top of that, any piece of debris or dust could get stuck under the keys and cause it to malfunction[10], in fact this was one of the major concerns for anybody that bought the new keyboard, people had to actually go to repair shops to deal with the tiny debris under the keys.[10]

 

Apple’s only goal with the release of this controversial product was to achieve thinness over functionality and ergonomics, which is why the product suffered so much.

 

Sources:

 

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