ABSTRACT
Human-machine interaction (HMI) attempts to rationalize relevant attributes and categories that emerge from the use of machines. Four main principles, that is, safety, performance, comfort and esthetics, drive this rationalization along four human factors lines of investigation: physical, cognitive, social or emotional. Machines are becoming more complex even if the goal of the designers is to facilitate their use during normal operations; problems happen in routine as well as abnormal contexts. This is why human reliability needs to be taken carefully from tow points of view: humans have limitations; humans are unique problem-solvers in unanticipated situations. Human engineering specialists have developed quantitative models to describe and predict human control performance and workload at Rasmussen's skill level. The AUTOS pyramid is a framework that helps rationalize human-centered design and engineering. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.
