Application of 3D Neck Modeling in Ergonomic Product Design

Abstract

Neck pain is a common health problem and has had a significant impact worldwide. The products designed for the neck aim to provide healthcare functions. To fully realize their potential, they typically need to fit snugly against the body, and user comfort must be considered to ensure ergonomic design. Therefore, obtaining accurate anthropometric data is crucial for ergonomic product design. Traditional anthropometric methods are time consuming, labor intensive, and prone to error. With the continuous development of image processing and computer aided design and modeling technologies, people have been able to construct high precision and reliable 3D neck models. 3D modeling has become a key technology for developing human centered designs for the neck. As a versatile and essential domain, 3D neck modeling provides the fundamental basis for innovation in ergonomic design, healthcare, and safety engineering. This review follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework for systematic reviews and meta-analyses, analyzing research on 3D neck modeling published up to August 2025. This paper presents a systematic review of existing approaches to developing 3D neck models. It also examines the techniques used for processing and analyzing 3D data, including their limitations, and discusses the applications of these models in ergonomic product design. The results show that 3D neck modeling is increasingly used in product design, and its applications extend far beyond ergonomic product design. These models have become essential tools in many other professional fields. However, no single technique can fully capture the complexity of the neck; therefore, future work should combine multiple modeling techniques.

Keywords: Neck, 3D Modeling, 3D Scanning, Ergonomic, Anthropometry

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1007699