Presenter

Dr. Bochen Jia is an Associate Professor at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, and his research focuses on occupational issues related to worker capacity changes due to modern risk factors. He is currently working on quantifying the impacts of exoskeletons on worker performance and safety using digital human modeling technology. He is particularly interested in understanding the ability and limitations of human modeling technology in assessing various human-exoskeleton interactions. Dr. Jia is currently working as a task-group leader at ASTM International Standards Organization, leading efforts to establish a practice that guides the proper use of digital human models in the design and evaluation of exoskeleton devices in both occupational and nonoccupational settings. Armed with strong research advantages for the automobile industry in Michigan, his research efforts also extend to ergonomic issues associated with occupant behaviors under complex driving conditions with advanced technologies, such as connected and autonomous vehicle technologies. He is working on understanding occupants’ in-vehicle physical activities during prolonged driving.