Question

Describe how the capabilities of humans versus machines drive the allocation of functions in human-centered design. Provide examples.

Answer 1

The main principal of Human centred automation lies in the fact that final decision of authority over automation should be in human’s hand. The process of allocating functions to human and machines are called as function allocation. HCA (Human centred automation) implies the approach to create a work environment in which human and machines work in mutual harmony.

• The general principle for the Human Centred design automation must have following properties namely:
• The human decision maker or operator should always must have final command and decision-making freedom
• Operator must always have involved and informed about various decision-making process.
• Automation system must be monitored and predictable.
• Automation system must be capable of supporting the situation awareness and should never fail silently.

Design standards of Human centred automation:

• Simplicity
• Consistency
• Safety
• Durability, reliability and proper function allocation
• User friendly, support and maintenance

The best example of Human centred automation is aviation industry:

Civil and military aircrafts have a flight management software’s and programmes which calculates the best fuel-efficient path, any malfunction or abnormalities. Apart from that they also aid pilot to operates the plane.