ReseaRch MethoD 77SimulationExercises Simulation exercises are deep approximations of human or environmental conditions, designed to forge an immersive, empathic sense of real-life user experiences. Simulationexerciseshaveanestablishedhistoryacrossvariousprofessions.Flightsimulatorshave longbeenusedformilitary,aircraft,andNASAtraining,anddrivingsimulatorshavebeenused fordriver'seducation.Virtualworldssimulatereal-worldconditions,placingpeopleinsituations thattesttheirresponsetime,decisionmaking,orinteractions.Studentsofmedicineandphysi- caloroccupationaltherapycommonlyspendtimeinwheelchairsorblindfolded,toempathically experiencethepatients'worldofrestrictedmobilityorvisualimpairment.Theintentofsimulation exercisesfordesignresearchteamsistolikewiseformatangiblesenseofuserempathy,influencing designsensitivityanddecisionsthroughdirect,althoughsimulated,experience. Simulationexercisesfordesignersmightapproximatethelimitationsordisabilitiesthatareexperi- encedbypeoplewithphysicaldisabilities,braininjuries,orage-relatedsenseandcognitiondeficits. HumanfactorsengineersattheFordMotorCompanydevelopeda"ThirdAgeSuit"thatrestricted mobilityandsenses,simulatingthedeterioratedagilitythatisassociatedwithaging,toincreasethe sensitivityofdesignersandengineersinproducingtheFordFocusautomobile. 1 Similarly,research- ersattheMITAgeLabhavedevelopedasuitandhelmetsystemthatsimulatesphysicalconditions oftheelderly,toinspireempathyandinnovationindesignandmarketing. 2 1."Third-AgeSuitHelpsFordtoUnderstand MatureDrivers,"http://media.ford.com/ article_display.cfm?article_id=624 2.Singer,Natasha."InaGrayingPopulation, BusinessOpportunity."The New York Times, February5,2011,http://www.nytimes .com/2011/02/06/business/06aging.html Seealso: http://agelab.mit.edu 3.Hanington,Bruce."FactoringtheHuman inDesignEducation"inProceedings of the International Conference on Affective Human Factors Design(CAHD).AseanAcademic Press,2001. 4.Kaplan,MelanieD.G."AttheVA,Preparing Brain-injuredVeteransfortheRealWorld."