When design doesn’t solve the problem and development confounds the solution, the probability of tragedy increases. In the vehicles recalled by General Motors, the position of the ignition switch generated a keychain problem. Position is a design problem. Development is an evaluation problem. In these vehicles, they both failed and GM was the industry company exposed. The industry needs to change with a design process that focuses on driver position rather than the 50 year old process that focuses on Design Position for the SAE J826 tool developed in the 1960s. The industry and government regulations have perpetuated a process that doesn’t fit with needs of the 21st century and it is time to change.

1. Mac Reynolds, Ph.D.
March 10, 2014

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