Human-centred design of human-machine interaction

Abstract

Modern automatic machines and robotic cells in production plants are becoming more and more complex because of higher demands for fast production rate with high quality. However, despite high levels of automation of machines and robots, humans remain central to manufacturing operations since they take charge of control and supervision of manufacturing activities. Human operators interact with machines and robots by means of computerized human-machine interfaces (HMIs) that are inevitably becoming more and more complex, as new functions are implemented by the production system.

To overcome these issues, it is needed to reverse the paradigm from the current belief that ”the human learns how the machine works” to the future scenario in which ”the machine adapts to the human capability” accommodating to her/his own time and features. In this regard, we are studying novel methodologies to reverse the design of complex production systems and adopt a responsible approach based on the study and analysis of users’ needs and capabilities. The final goal is that of developing smart and easy to use interfaces, which can be used also by less experienced or physically and cognitively impaired workers so that they ultimately can be included in job positions that require high attentional skills to interact with a robot or a complex plant.

People