Objective
The project has researched individual perceptions of comfort through a series of trials and studies incorporating retailers, occupational therapists, furniture manufacturers, residents of residential homes, retired subjects and subjects of a normal working age. The trials have been carried out in three countries (Spain, Ireland and England) in order to provide information on differing climates and anthropometrical measurements. The key factors are taken from the results of these studies, producing a numerical scale, with the most important factors being given a higher statistical weighting in the development of the final draft of the index. The index should be capable of distinguishing between varying chairs in order to assess which chairs are the most comfortable. The index works by asking a series of questions, designed to identify individual aspects of comfort and/or discomfort about the chair being assessed. The areas of the chair are broken down into sub sections of seat properties, back rest, arms etc. A series of questions in each subsection will then identify several aspects that can be used to give the overall comfort properties. In addition, the chairs are inspected by an expert to asses the moisture distribution properties of both the materials and the design of the furniture. The information is entered into a spreadsheet that calculates a numerical value for comfort using a series of weighting values determined through the work of the project.
The product of the project, the Furniture Comfort Index, will be exploited by the partners of the project as both a marketing tool and also to increase the comfort of their products in order to increase market share and value. It is envisaged that the use of the index will be exclusive to the partners for a set period of time. A test protocol has also been developed to identify the requirements of each question in terms of the purpose of the question, and to aid feedback from subjects. The use of this protocol in the training of assessors will avoid ambiguity and ensure the assessments are carried out in the same manner and under the same test conditions. Further research may involve the upgrading of the index for the purpose of assessing other furniture items such as beds or more specialist items such as wheel chairs.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
HP12 4H3 HIGH WYCOMBE
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.