ABSTRACT
Design products, systems, and machines to take over or supplement human control in cases when the need for control surpasses humans’ abilities or enables safer operation. Drivers used to be advised to “pump the brakes” to balance braking performance and steering effectiveness. Now, drivers can simply step on and hold down the brake. Lacking anti-lock brake system (ABS), an automobile is more likely to skid during hard braking. Having proved its worth, ABS was required in new automobiles in the European Union countries starting in 2004. Although the United States had mandated ABS on trucks and buses in 1999, the US government was slow to adopt a mandate requiring ABS in cars. Another impressive example of augmented control is the fly-by-wire system installed in many aircrafts. In addition to electrical or system-based augmented control, there are purely physical ways of augmenting control to enhance safety.
