HML product evaluation
Case study
Prototype testing – device to reduce back strain when using a shopping trolley
The human movement laboratory was asked to measure the effects of a device which aims to reduce the forces involved in manoeuvring a shopping trolley. The device can be fitted to either rear castor of a standard shopping trolley and works by restricting the castor from swivelling around the vertical axis.
The device was tested using force plates (Advanced Mechanical Technology Inc. AMTI OR6-7) in the human movement laboratory to investigate the ground reaction forces exerted by a participant. Various configurations and loadings cases were looked at.
"The University of Brighton's human movement laboratory played a crucial role in assessing the effectiveness, and so commercial viability, of my device. The testing they conducted showed that the product did reduce the moment required to turn a load and so greatly reducing the rotating force exerted on the back. The product is nearing the end of its development now." – Jay McNally, Inventor
