ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the influence of two approaches, one proposing technical solutions and the other evaluating the ergonomic acceptability of these solutions for the human operators. It describes the main parameters influencing human–machine system performance and safety. The chapter examines the human–machine cooperation is defined particularly concepts such as coordination, authority, task allocation and a framework for implementing this cooperation. Modeling human problem-solving in supervision tasks is another difficult objective for controlling Human–Machine systems. This functional model gathers several major functions: abnormal event detection; situation assessment by perceiving information for identifying and/or predicting the process state. Despite the existence of the automation, human operators must master the process and the situation they manage, and they must remain active in the control and supervisory loop of the human–machine system. The chapter explains several examples related to diverse fields of application: Air Traffic Control, power plant supervision and telecommunication networks.
