How Body Pressure Distribution Can Map Soldier Comfort 2011-01-0803

Currently, when the Army studies ride quality and comfort, 6 Watts of absorbed power is commonly cited as a target. However, absorbed power is dependent upon vehicle speed and road roughness and does not fully describe the direct interaction between the occupant and the seat cushion. Recently, there has been a great deal of growth in Body Pressure Distribution (BPD) measurement technologies. This growth in technology allows for new perspectives in quantifying ride comfort. Up to this point, the Army has not capitalized on these new technologies and still heavily on absorbed power to quantify ride comfort. This paper explores how the Army has benefited from pressure mapping technologies to complement absorbed power in quantifying ride comfort of military vehicles.