Human-Centered Design for Safer, More Efficient Ships

Every vehicle operated by humans needs to be as safe and comfortable as possible. RAMSIS, the leading digital human model, is now extending its benefits to the naval industry. By integrating realistic human models early in the CAD process, shipbuilders can evaluate safety, accessibility, and comfort for both crew and passengers before construction even begins. This proactive approach helps reduce costly design changes and supports compliance with maritime regulations.

Start Designing with RAMSIS

RAMSIS enables human factors engineers, naval architects, interior designers, and safety specialists to collaborate seamlessly, ensuring that ship environments are safe, functional, and comfortable from the very beginning of the design process. As the leading de-facto standard software for product ergonomics in vehicle interiors, RAMSIS is now equally valuable in the naval sector, fully integrated into CAD workflows to support human-centered design.

At the core of RAMSIS is the realistic representation of human beings, built on detailed body dimensions, anatomical kinematics, and enhanced with features such as a comprehensive shoe and hair library. Designers can generate highly credible digital manikins that reflect the expected demographics of a crew, capturing variations across age groups, reference years, and secular growth trends. Body dimensions can be adjusted within feasible ranges, ensuring both scientific accuracy and practical flexibility.

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Why Shipbuilders Choose RAMSIS

The Challenge: Designing for Diverse Crews and Complex Environments. Ships are unique workplaces and homes, with conditions that test the human body daily.

  • Crew diversity – Ships are staffed by multinational crews with varying body sizes, strength, and abilities.
  • Confined spaces – Engine rooms, corridors, and cabins demand safe navigation in tight environments.
  • High-stakes safety – Bridge ergonomics, evacuation routes, and lifeboat access must function flawlessly in emergencies.
  • Strict regulations – Compliance with ISO, ABS, and SOLAS requirements is non-negotiable.
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With access to the world’s largest collection of anthropometric databases—spanning multiple countries and documented international standards—RAMSIS allows the creation of representative test samples that account for real-world diversity, enabling: 

Lower Development Costs | Eliminate physical mockups and reduce reworkSafety First | Prevent health risk due to uncomfortable and unsafe work environments.Inclusive Design | Plan for crew and passenger diversity with the largest anthropometric database in the worldRegulatory Compliance | Validate against ISO, ABS and SOLAS requirements

Applications in Maritime Design

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Ship Bridges and Command Centers

Simulate sightlines, reachability, and control placement for captains and crew.

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Crew and Passenger Spaces

Optimize cabins, corridors, and shared spaces for comfort, mobility, and accessibility.

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Safety and Evacuation Planning

Evaluate evacuation paths, lifeboat access, and emergency equipment usability.

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Maintenance and Assembly Feasibility

Validate accessibility for confined spaces such as engine rooms.

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Standards and Compliance

Ensure designs meet ISO, ABS, and SOLAS accessibility and safety guidelines, with integrated compliance checks directly in the CAD workflow

Advanced Ergonomic Analyses for Ship Bridges

RAMSIS enables in-depth evaluation of operational environments, including:

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Posture Analysis to Check Task-Specific Performance Requirements.

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Visibility Mapping and Obstruction Detection for Clear Sightlines.

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Reflection and Glare Testing under Day and Night Conditions.

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Acuity Resting to optimize Character and Symbol Sizing on Displays.

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Force Analysis to ensure Manual Controls remain within Safe Operating Ranges.

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Vision Focus Time Calculations for Critical Operational Tasks.

Optimizing Living and Working Environments

For onboard habitats, RAMSIS supports the design of accessible cabin layouts with optimized placement of beds, baths, and storage areas. It enables the positioning of fixtures to balance comfort and safety while incorporating mobility-friendly solutions that accommodate crew and passengers with varying physical needs, like:

Accessible Cabins and Living Areas 
Optimized layouts for beds, baths, and storage with mobility-friendly design.		Passenger Spaces
Enhanced comfort and flow through corridors and lounges.		Inclusive Design
Consideration for varying strength, mobility, and vision across different age groups and populations.
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