It's easy to blame cell phones for accidents and health problems. Fixing the blame is another matter.

In recent decades ergonomics has ventured into "isms," picked up appellations and forged working alliances with other professions. Even a cursory look at some of the specialties and applications shows a field of great breadth. Yet public perception of ergonomics is very narrow, a circumstance that is causing introspection in the profession and encouraging action.

The Ergonomics QUality In Design (EQUID) project aims to establish a respected and comprehensible system of standardization and certification to end the confusion. It

Ergonomics has gone mainstream and customer expectations are high. Over the past several decades the application of ergonomics has matured around the world and, as a result, we have created smarter buyers and users of products. Smart companies are adopting ergonomics specs and applying six sigma approaches to purchasing decisions.

The marketplace is awash with products promoted as "ergonomically designed." Some are. For the rest the description is meaningless, unsubstantiated, just marketing "fluff."

As the U.S. economy continues to improve, employers are relying heavily on existing employees to meet the increased demand for goods and services.

Robots built on the master-slave model are destined for obsolescence, to be replaced by a generation that will cooperate with man on a more equitable basis. It will be just as critical in this new phase of robotics that designers get the ergonomics right...

When Jack Kelley began his career as a furniture designer in the 1960s, he had never heard of ergonomics. Few people had. Interviewed for The Ergonomics Report

Space Shuttle Discovery blasts off in July for the International Space Station. The Ergonomics Report takes an exclusive look at some ergonomics and human factors issues impacting the Shuttle and its astronauts.