Course syllabus for Human machine systems

Fundamental eligibility.

The purpose of the course is to show how important it is to learn and understand the human capacities (abilities and limitations) in a human-machine system. This understanding is central when choosing design solutions for technical systems, which should function in a safe and proper way both in normal operation, in deviations as well as during maintenance. For a well functioning system, consideration must be taken to operator s mental skills, physical functions and social abilities, already when planning and setting demands for the coming design of the system.

After completion of this course, the student should be able to

• Explain and use basic knowledge in cognitive ergonomics such as; perception, memory functions, information processing, attention, learning, decision making, stress, mental workload and human error.
• Explain and use basic knowledge about physical ergonomics such as; physical loadings, anthropometry, biological variation and biomechanics.
• Explain and use basic knowledge about physical environmental factors such as; vision and lighting, hearing and noise, vibrations and climate.
• Present how the different areas included in the science of ergonomics interact in a human-machine system, and apply the knowledge for identification of factors affecting human performance
• Use methods for data collection, task analysis, posture analysis, and interaction analysis of a HMI-system, as well as using equipment for measurement of environmental factors (sound/noise, climate and lightning).
• Choose suitable methods for work-place analysis and carry out a real work-place study from a human-machine interaction perspective.
• Reflect and criticize results from a workplace analysis and judge how the methods have been working; pros and cons. Draw conclusions and give recommendations of improvements of work-place designs
• Present the results and conclusions from an work-place analysis both orally and in written report
• Reflecting on the consideration to relevant social and ethical issues that need to be made in the development work

Physical ergonomics; loadings, anthropometry, biological variation, human senses and environmental factors (sound, lightning, climate, vibrations) Human s mental abilities; perception, memory functions, information processing, attention, learning Decision making and human error Stress and mental workload, and their effects on performance, risk taking, and mental skills User interface design, design of controls, panels, alarms etc. Risks and accidents in complex technical systems System view: Human-Technology-Organisation and resilience engineering Methods for data collection and analysis of body postures and interaction with user interfaces.

The course is divided into three parts; lectures, hand in tasks, and project work in groups. The lectures introduce basic theoretical knowledge and methods from the area of human-machine interaction and ergonomics. The hand-in tasks result in a deeper theoretical understanding of the subject. The project work consists of a real workplace analysis, and covers the practical work with analysis of a human-machine system, as well as training in oral and written presentations.

Arbete och teknik på människans villkor. Prevent, 2008.

Hand-in tasks and project work (report and oral presentation).