HUMAN FACTORS ENGINEERING

Course Code: IE-322

TOPIC:
INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN
FACTORS ENGINEERING

Course Instructor: Engr.Zahid Rashid

E-mail: zahid.rashid@uettaxila.edu.pk
University of Engineering & Technology , Taxila Pakistan
14th Feb 2022
 INTRODUCTION
Human factors (or ERGONOMICS) focus on human beings and their
interaction with products, equipment, facilities, procedures, and
environments used in work and everyday living.

the emphasis is on human beings (which is opposite to engineering where the

focus is on technical engineering considerations) and how the design of things
influences people. human factors then seek to change the things people use and
the environments in which they use these things to better match the capabilities,
limitations, and needs of people.

Human Factors Approach

It is the systematic application of relevant information about human

capabilities, limitations, characteristics, behavior, and motivation to the design
of things and procedures people use and the environment in which they use
them.
Introdution to Human Factors Engineering
 Introduction to Human Factors Engineering

Hollnagel, 2014

“It is not enough for HFE to seek to

improve performance and well-being
through systems design, [...] Instead HFE
should try to anticipate how the nature
of work will change so that it can both
foresee what work will be and propose
what work should be. […] While it is
necessary to solve the problems that
confront us now, it is in the larger
perspective merely symptom based
firefighting.“
 COURSE GRADING CRITERIA

Short Quizzes = 15
Assignments = 10
Mid Term Examination = 25
Final Exam = 50
Total = 100

Introdution to Human Factors Engineering

 RECOMMENDED BOOKS

Introduction to Ergonomics by “R.S Bridger” 2nd or 3rd edition

 Work Systems and the Methods, Measurement, and Management of Work by

Mikell P. Groover, ISBN 0-13-140650-7. ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper
Saddle River, NJ.

 An Introduction to Human Factors Engineering by Wickens, Gordon, Liu.

 Hand-Book of Industrial Engineering: Technology and Operations, by

Salvendy G., McGraw-Hill,

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 HUMAN FACTORS AND ERGONOMICS
Jastrzebowski created the word ergonomics in 1857 in a
philosophical narrative, “based upon the truths drawn from the
Science of Nature”.

Frederick W. Taylor was a pioneer of this approach and evaluated

jobs to determine the “One Best Way” they could be performed.

Frank and Lillian Gilbreth made jobs more efficient and less
fatiguing through time motion analysis and standardizing tools,
materials and the job process.

Post World War II scenario

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 Human Vs Machines

M(H)ABA – MABA:
Men (Humans) are better at, Machines are better at (Fitts, 1951)

Fitts PM (ed, 1951) Human engineering for an effective air navigation

and traffic control system. National Research Council, Washington, DC
 HUMAN MACHINE SYSTEMS
INTERACTION EVALUATION
H > M: The basic control actions Anatomical: Body and limb posture and
performed by the human on the machine. movement, size of forces, cycle time and
Application of large forces, ‘fine tuning’ frequency of movement, muscular fatigue.
of controls, stocking raw materials, Physiological: Work rate (oxygen consumption,
maintenance, etc. heart rate), fitness of workforce, physiological
fatigue.
Psychological: Skill requirements, mental
workload, parallel/sequential processing of
information, compatibility of action modalities.
H > E: Effects of the human on the Physical: Objective measurement of working
local environment. Implications for compliance with
environment. Humans emit heat, noise, standards.
carbon dioxide, etc.

Introdution to Human Factors Engineering

 HUMAN MACHINE SYSTEMS
INTERACTION EVALUATION
M > H: Feedback and display of Anatomical: Design of controls and tools.
information. Machine may exert forces on Physical: Objective measurement of vibrations,
the human due to vibration, acceleration, reaction forces of powered machines, noise and
etc. Machine surfaces may be excessively surface temperatures in the workspace.
hot or cold and a threat to the health of Physiological: Does sensory feedback exceed
the human. physiological thresholds?
Psychological: Application of grouping
principles to design of faceplates, panels and
graphic displays. Information load.
Compatibility with user expectations.
M > E: Machine may alter working Mainly by industrial/site engineers and
environment by emitting noise, heat, industrial hygienists
noxious gases.

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 HUMAN MACHINE SYSTEMS
INTERACTION EVALUATION
E > H: The environment, in turn, may Physical/physiological:
influence the human’s ability to interact with Noise, lighting and temperature surveys of
the machine or to remain part of the work entire facility
system (owing to smoke, noise, heat, etc.).

E > M: The environment may affect the Industrial/site engineers, maintenance

functioning of the machine. It may cause personnel, facilities management, etc.
overheating or freezing of components, for
example. Many machines require oxygen to
operate. Oxygen is usually regarded as
unlimited and freely available rather than part
of the fuel.

Introdution to Human Factors Engineering

 Description of Human Machine Systems
Human Components

The effectors
The Senses
Central Processes

Machine Components

The Controlled Process

Displays and Controls

Immediate Environment

Workplace
Physical Environment
Work Organization

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 DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

Cognitive Ability

Anthropometry

Sensation & Perceptual Capabilities

User Preferences

Environment

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 COGNITIVE ABILITY

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 COGNITIVE ABILITY

Cognition is a group of mental

processes that includes attention,
memory, producing and
understanding language,
learning, reasoning, problem
solving and decision making.

Problem: Decision making under time stress

Introdution to Human Factors Engineering
 ANTHROPOMETRY

Anthropometry refers to the

measurement of the human individual.

•Design for Average

• Design for Extreme

• Design for Adjustability

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 Sensation & Perceptual
Capabilities
Visual Complexity

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 Perceptual Illusions

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 USER PREFERENCES (The Beaten Path)

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 Future Directions of Human Factors and
Ergonomics
‘Technology push’ is one of the main factors influencing
the direction and growth of ergonomics. Rapid
development of usable systems is a priority in many
organizations.

an ageing workforce and shortages of skilled people. At

the same time, equal opportunities legislation demands
that employers make work available to all.

Physical ergonomic issues are taking on a new

importance as workforces age and as more women take on
jobs previously done by men.
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MIT Technology Review
10 Breakthrough Technologies 2019

Keyphrase What? Why? When?

Robot dexterity Project Dactyl allows a robot hand to Lack of dexterity as a a 3-5 years
„consider“ potential outcomes of grip limiting factor, allows
adjustment and then experiments and for adjustments and can
learns via reinforcement learning. be first step towards
robots that are able to
react on randomness

New-wave nuclear Small modular reactors that operate on Safer & cheaper power On grid 2020
power fusion and fission (optimistic),
delivery from 2030
on
Predicting preemies Detecting women with a likelyhood of Facilitates risk Within 5 years
delivering prematurely via a 10$ blood- detection, replaces
test more intrusive methods

Gut probe in a pill Swallowable capsule with miniature Detection of EED, Currently being
microscopes that captures images and usable in high-risk tested in adults and
biopsies of the GI tract, attached to a areas adolescents
tether, reusable, can be used in infants

https://www.technologyreview.com/lists/technologies/2019/
MIT Technology Review
10 Breakthrough Technologies 2019

Keyphrase What? Why? When?

Custom cancer vaccines A vaccine that incites the body‘s Could replace chemotherapy, long- In human testing since
natural defenses to attack tumor- term alertness to recurring tumors 2017
specific cells
Cow-free burger Several approaches (plant based, Meat consumption is not sustainable Plant-based in stores,
lab-grown) approach meat-like (deforestation, water pollution, lab-grown 2020*
quality greenhouse-gas emissions)

CO2-catcher A filter to remove CO2 from the Might be one of the last viable ways to 5-10 years
atmosphere (and then sell it for stop catastrophic climate change
various purposes)
ECG on your wrist ECG that allows for near-medical Detection of atrial fibrillation (stroke Approved by FDA
precision and blood clot detection)
Sewer-free sanitation Different approaches to new 2.3 billion people have no access to 1-2 years
toilet systems good sanitation
Smooth-talking AI Better speech synthesis leads to Next step from obeying simple 1-2 years
AI that performs conversation- commands, first steps towards lifelike
based tasks conversations

https://www.technologyreview.com/lists/technologies/2019/
MIT Technology Review
10 Breakthrough Technologies 2019

Medicine &
Diagnostics
Population
Growth

Climate
Change

AI &
Robotics
 MENTAL
PROCESSES
 EMOTIONS

Study Objective

In human factors science, the emotions are analyzed

in order to assess the role of emotions on decision
making and risk perception.

Introdution to Human Factors Engineering

 EMOTIONS
Emotion is a mental state that
arises spontaneously rather than
through conscious effort and is
often accompanied by
physiological changes; a feeling:
the emotions of joy, sorrow,
reverence, hate, and love.

 An emotion is a mental and

physiological state associated with
a wide variety of feelings, thoughts,
and behavior.

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 EMOTIONS
Body language and emotions

Body language is a form of non-verbal

communication, consisting of body pose, gestures, and
eye movements.

Humans send and interpret such signals

subconsciously.

Non-verbal Communication.mp4

Introdution to Human Factors Engineering

 EMOTIONS
The rate of respirations ( G. Dumas, 1976)

Normal 16 inhalations / 1 minute

Gladness 17 inhalations / 1 min

Anxiety 20 inhalations / 1 min

Anger 40 inhalations / 1 min

Fear 64 inhalations / 1 min

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 EMOTIONS
Computer Simulated Emotional Expressions

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 EMOTIONS
Computer Simulated Emotional Expressions

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 EMOTIONS
Body language and emotions

Body language is a form of non-verbal

communication, consisting of body pose, gestures, and
eye movements.

Humans send and interpret such signals

subconsciously.

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Further reading

Ethics in medicine

The Ends of Human Life: Medical Ethics in a Liberal Polity, Ezekiel J.

Emanuel, Harvard University Press 1994, copyright 1991

AI

Superintelligence. Paths, Dangers, Strategies. Nick Bostrom

The AI revolution, Tim Urban (2015).

http://waitbutwhy.com/2015/01/artificial-intelligence-revolution-1.html

Big data

Weapons of Math destruction. How big data increases inequality and

threatens democracy. Cathy O‘Neil
https://weaponsofmathdestructionbook.com/ [16.04.19]
Introdution to Human Factors Engineering