THE FACTORY OF THE FUTURE AUTOMATED SYSTEM

Human Factor in Automated System

Advanced automated systems required changes in the nature of the human factors questions to be
asked and ultimately answered. If the human is to be a significant and contributing factor in the system
(effectively “in the loop”), it is critical to optimize the human and machine interface in order to keep the
human aware of system operations (and, conversely, to keep the machine aware of human operations.)
The advancement and sophistication of modern technology affords increased automation of functions,
while concurrently requiring considerable ingenuity to prevent increased human workload and
opportunity for errors by the new automated system. Recent technological innovations, if judiciously
chosen and implemented, may allow for remarkable and welcomed benefits. However, it must be
emphasized that there may also be less beneficial human factor consequences. Awareness and
prevention of potential human factors consequences should ultimately influence the decision-making
process in automated system design. If human factor implications are not considered, potential benefits
of progressive automation may be unrealized.
Automation: The Human Factors Issues
When designing a system or process that will include automation it is important to also design the
human-machine (automation) interaction as well. Research into the impact of automation on the human
role and responsibilities can support the design of automatic systems and hopefully avoid the following
issues:
• Changes in the roles of personnel: May result in different tasks that are harder to perform.
• Increase in complexity: Personnel will need to understand how the automation works to enable
them to monitor and supervise.
• Change in procedures: May result in additional procedure should the automation fail.
• Machine interaction: Internal relationship and inter-dependencies between functions results in
unexpected machine behaviors.
• Poor feedback: The system does not communicate what it is doing effectively.
• Situational awareness: Personnel need to remain aware of what it is doing effectively.
• Workload and skill: Workload switches to monitoring tasks, skill levels can reduce if replaced by
automation.
• Trust and complacency: As automation tends not to fail, personnel develop a trust which can
result in complacency or an over reliance on automation on the other hand operators must have
confidence in the automation.

• Human in the loop: If humans are responsible for the outcomes, humans must be in command
and monitor the system.
• Human error: Automation brings with it different types of human errors.
• Potential change to workplace location.
• Change in workplace layout and environment.
• Increased need for asset management.