Humans factors at the centre of good engineering design
We apply human factors engineering principles to the design and improvement of complex technical systems to optimise the human component of capability.
We apply human factors engineering principles to the design and improvement of complex technical systems to optimise the human component of capability.
Key contact
We are experienced across the entire design cycle where human factors engineering is a crucial consideration. We work across the entire lifecycle to help you achieve a human-centred design that is efficient for acquisition organisations and suppliers.
Our Human Factors Engineering and Ergonomics expertise provide real, measurable improvement across numerous metrics. The integration of HFE/Ergonomics is a critical component of delivering safe, efficient, or productive systems, particularly relevant to specialised, dangerous, or complex operations and tasks.
While we can apply our human factors capability in many ways, we typically support requirements in the following areas:
As an integral part of engineering teams, we integrate human factors engineering (HFE) and safety considerations. We provide technical expertise in the analysis of workplace ergonomics and follow industry standards.
HFI is a technical and management process that includes knowledge of human capabilities and limitations across all phases of the acquisition lifecycle (CADMID (Concept, Assessment, Design, Manufacture, In-Service, Disposal)).
HFE plays a critical role in the HFI process and the other HFI elements of consideration, including Manpower, Personnel, Organisation, Training, and Safety. We provide comprehensive HFI services to integrate human considerations across all system elements, thereby enhancing total system performance (both human and system), reducing life cycle costs, and minimising the risk of injury or loss.
Assessment is an essential component of any system involving people. Identifying an appropriate data set helps ensure that the design will be suitable. The defined user population can physically assume the necessary postures, reach, and operate the controls required to perform most comfortably. We use 2D and 3D physics-based modelling to conduct these assessments.
We make the best use of the latest technologies in Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality and Mixed Reality to identify and mitigate human factors related issues early within the development cycle. These technologies identify physical, ergonomic, and cognitive problems by replicating the tasks’ environment and associated constraints that may influence total system performance. The cost of design mitigations is minimised.
We apply HF standards to help design tasks, workflow, equipment, facilities, and systems. We also interpret HF design standards to your specific needs and identify practicable means of demonstrating compliance.
We use user-centred design and user experience to develop and assess against user requirements that represent the visual and functional design. These processes serve to increase aspects such as usability and intuition.
We plan and conduct an assessment of human behaviour related to security and the implementation of related processes, organisational constructs and conduct culture assessments. These assessments could either be preventative or reactive to breaches in security. We work closely with Cyber Security data analysts to ensure a holistic systems approach is used for our assessments.
We analyse human performance aspects such as workload, awareness of the situation, and human error during each development cycle to ascertain the efficacy of novel technological interventions on mission effectiveness and safety.
Research into the use of science and technology (S&T) to support the integration of people, technology, and organisations to support the design, development, operation and defence of effective and efficient protection and security systems, which spans the full range of systems in the four environments (Air, Land, Maritime, Space) across the physical, information (including cyber) and social domains.
Research into S&T optimises human cognitive and physical performance in the Defence and Security environment at the individual, team, and organisational levels, including personal protection, injury prevention, and mental agility.
We use VR and Human Factors Engineering to ensure our ship designs work and help you understand the model right through the process.
We provide independent, tailored advice to help you reduce the risk of cyber-attacks.
We provide a complete lifecycle approach for our app and data services development service, from discovery to design, build and run.
Our systems engineering expertise enables us to deliver complex design capabilities for UK and international defence customers.
An all-new concept developed in collaboration between T. Fotiadis Design & Lateral Naval Architects. With its striking streamline design, Spear combines efficiency, comfort, and expansive open spaces to create an unparalleled cruising experience.
In collaboration with Penguin Shipyard International, the BMT design iteration, called “MFV-R”, is an optimal ship design created to offer a second-generation external firefighting capability that goes ‘above and beyond’ standard FiFi Class 1 requirements.
The Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA) has welcomed Catriona Savage, our Technical Assurance and Capability Director, as the new President of the institution
The life extension programme provided by BMT ensures MV Africa Mercy can continue to provide life-changing surgeries to children and adults who otherwise would go without.
On Monday, 13 June 2022, BMT’s Gordon MacDonald was presented with an Order of Australia Medal (OAM). An honour that recognises Australians for outstanding achievement and service.
The Western Joint Branch Junior Design Challenge is an annual contest run for associate members of both RINA and IMarEST. The design competition aims to challenge pre-chartership level engineers to develop a design solution to an ongoing issue in the maritime industry.
Through simulation-based numerical methods ship designers can perform complex analyses more rapidly and at a reduced cost. Johnathan Green explains how the successful application of numerical modelling has helped to de-risk and expedite delivery of new BMT landing craft designs.
