New Ergonomics Perspective : Selected papers of the 10th Pan-Pacific Conference on Ergonomics, Tokyo, Japan, 25-28 August 2014 PDF

Preface

The 10th PPCOE2014 was held at Tokyo Metropolitan University (Tokyo, Japan) from 25 to 28 August 2014. About 80 researchers from eight countries participated and 80 papers were presented. This book is composed of a selection of papers chosen by the PPCOE2014 Program Committee. You may be aware that this PPCOE (Pan Pacific Conference on Ergonomics) 2014 conference celebrates the 10th occasion that the meeting is held in a time span of 20 years. Our society, and the research fields covered, have changed considerably in these past 20 years. Firstly, caused by the development of ICT (Information and Communication Technology), i.e. the internet and various Social Networking Systems (SNS). These technology developments have changed the way of working as well as the production systems. The second reason is a social situation, caused by the transition from an aged society to an aging society. That means that research on how to educate the younger generation for communicating the know-how of older workers becomes necessary. Researchers must investigate support methods and the environment for the elderly further, and development and evaluation of the assistive technology for elderly people becomes necessary. These changes have an impact on our research scopes and themes. This 10th conference is a milestone as our research fields are developing now. If we understand this fact, we will know that it is essential to re-evaluate our research aims and scope. This meeting will provide a platform and a place to consider how to change to go into this new direction..

I would like to thank Emeritus Prof. Masaharu Kumashiro, the president of PPCOE, who gave me the opportunity to convene this conference. Also, I would like to acknowledge the help of Professor Masahiro Shibuya as secretary general of the PPCOE 2014 conference. Finally, a word of thanks to all participants.