The Human x Machine podcast, hosted by Christopher Lomas, explores the intersection of technology, innovation, and design with global leaders. In this episode, Barnaby Loehnis, President of Humanetics Sensors and CMO of Humanetics, discusses the role of AI in industrial design, focusing on safety, human diversity, and ethical challenges in technology development.
Human x Machine Podcast, Season 2, Episode 11: What role does AI play in Industrial Design? is available now on Spotify.
Key Takeaways
- Humanetics, originally focused on pilot safety, has evolved into a leader in crash safety testing and digital simulations, enabling more efficient and accurate safety assessments for automotive and other industries.
- The use of a 50th percentile male as the standard for crash testing has led to safety disparities for women and other demographics, raising critical questions about inclusivity in industrial design.
- Humanetics has developed a database of over 100,000 3D body forms from global scans, aiding industrial designers in creating products that better represent human diversity, such as clothing and protective equipment.
- The company is advancing digital twins that accurately model human anatomy, including bones and flesh, to improve safety measures and biomedical applications like concussion modeling and protective gear development.
- AI and simulation are enhancing medical training by providing diverse patient scenarios, allowing surgeons to practice on a variety of body types beyond traditional cadaver training.
- Humanetics' iSize database helps product designers understand how different body sizes interact with products, addressing the underrepresentation of women in product design and improving fit and safety.
- The company collaborates with robotics firms to replicate human touch in prosthetics and industrial automation, focusing on creating sensors that can accurately grip and manipulate objects.
- Fiber optics are highlighted for their diverse applications, including earthquake detection, low-orbit satellite communications, and precise navigation in advanced technologies like rockets and submarines.
- The lack of advanced female crash test dummies in safety standards poses significant risks for women, emphasizing the need for inclusive design in safety technology.
- Barney reflects on AI's optimistic potential to enhance human lives, emphasizing that its benefits outweigh the drawbacks. He underscores the importance of maintaining a human-centered approach in industrial design and addresses the ethical challenges inherent in data representation.
Barney Loehnis
Barney is the President of Humanetics Sensors & Chief Marketing Officer, leading our Sensor group and marketing growth programs, strategic communications, and customer experience design. He has led marketing and digital transformations in Europe, Asia and the USA in B2B, B2C and agency sectors, for clients like IBM, VW, Huawei, Qualcomm and Mercer Consulting. Barney is a British and American citizen, a bad runner and avid cook.