Humans and Automation: System Design and Research Issues / Edition 1

by Thomas B. Sheridan

Overview

Human factors, also known as human engineering or human factors engineering, is the application of behavioral and biological sciences to the design of machines and human-machine systems. Automation refers to the mechanization and integration of the sensing of environmental variables, data processing and decision making and mechanical action. This book deals with all the issues involved in human-automation systems from design to control and performance of both humans and machines.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780471234289
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	07/11/2002
Series:	Wiley Series in Systems Engineering and Management , #26
Edition description:	BK&CD-ROM
Pages:	280
Product dimensions:	5.69(w) x 8.70(h) x 0.96(d)

About the Author

Professor Sheridan has an unusual professional background, combining both engineering and psychology. His research has relevance to many fields, especially aviation and space. He has academic appointments in both the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics. In both departments, he is listed as a professor of engineering and applied psychology, a title that reflects the intersection of technological and human issues involved in his work. He also participates in projects at the Center for Transportation Studies and the Research Laboratory of Electronics.
His research has included human-computer interaction in aircraft and space piloting; high-speed trains and "smart" highway systems; undersea and industrial robotic systems; and computer-graphic displays and decision aids. He has taught many undergraduate and graduate subjects, ranging from the basic mechanics of solids to models of man-machine systems.
Professor Sheridan received the ScD degree from MIT in 1959 in the field of human-machine systems.

Table of Contents

Preface.

PART I: BACKGROUND.

Introduction.

Human Interaction with Automation in Various Contexts.

PART II: DESIGN OF HUMAN-AUTOMATION SYSTEMS.

The Analysis and Design Process.

Human Performance in Relation to Automation.

Displays and Decision Aids.

Supervisory Control.

Simulation, Testing, and Evaluation.

PART III: GENERIC RESEARCH ISSUES.

Technical Issues of Humans and Automation.

Social Issues of Humans and Automation.

System Management and Education.

Appendix A: Elements of the Most Important Normative Models.

Appendix B: Sample Problems and Solutions on Normative Models.

References.

Author Index.

Subject Index.

Editorial Reviews

"....this important work that can be read with profit by anyone involved in the design of interactive systems. Most such readers will want to keep it handy for future reference". (Robotica, Vol.21, 2003)

"...manages to compress three decades of research into a very compact space without losing too much of the complexity..." (Ergonomics Abstracts, Vol 35(2), 2003)

From the Publisher

Sheridan (engineering and applied psychology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology) provides a succinct tutorial for professionals and students seeking to understand the many human interactive aspects of automation. The volume's ten chapters are arranged into three parts addressing background issues; the design of human-automation systems from analysis and design through supervisory control and simulation, testing, and evaluation; and generic research issues including technical and social issues and system management and education. Appendices present elements of the most important normative models and sample problems and solutions on normative models. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR