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Human Factors

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What is Human-Factor?

User-friendly and effective devices and systems need to take Human-Factors engineering into account.

Human-Factors engineering uses knowledge about the physical and psychological traits of humans to design devices and systems that are more user-friendly and effective.

 

These devices or systems include products of daily use like mobile phones are cars. 

Why are Human-Factors required?

Human-Factors define how devices and systems are developed and constructed. After all technology is supposed to solve human purposes. In automated driving this purpose is to safely transport a human from A to B. Human-Factors considers how this human being interacts with the automated car, which barriers their might be to usage and trust.  

So basically we are talking about usability?

No.

Software usability and Human-Factors engineering are closely related concepts, but they focus on different aspects of the design process. While software usability refers specifically to the ease of use and effectiveness of software applications.

Human-Factors engineering, also known as ergonomics, encompasses a broader scope beyond software design. 

The 3 pillars of Human Factor Engineering

  • It deals with the optimization of products, systems, and environments for human use. 
  • It considers physical, cognitive, and social aspects of human interaction with technology, including factors like biomechanics, cognitive psychology, anthropometry, and social dynamics. 
  • Human factors engineering applies not only to software but also to hardware design, workplace layout, transportation systems, medical devices, and more. 

 

How do we contribute to Human-Factor engineering?

In Austria, VIRTUAL VEHILCE is the only research center that addresses Human-Factors. We are keen to develop the technology of tomorrow. But without considering the human factor these technologies are no use.  

 

Human-Factors engineering is required for technology development like automated driving to optimize safety, user experience, trust, and regulatory compliance in the interaction between humans and automation. 

Human-Factors Engineering and Automated Driving

Human-Factors engineering is crucial for technology development like automated driving for several reasons: 

  1. User-Centered Design:
    Automated driving systems interact directly with human users, such as drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. Human-Factors engineering ensures that these systems are designed with user needs, capabilities, and limitations in mind, leading to safer and more user-friendly interfaces and interactions.     
  2. Safety:
    Automated driving technology must account for human factors to ensure safety. Understanding human behavior, perception, and decision-making helps engineers anticipate potential errors or misunderstandings and design systems that minimize the risk of accidents or misuse.     
  3. Trust and Acceptance:
    Human-Factors engineering plays a key role in building trust and acceptance of automated driving technology. By designing interfaces and interactions that are intuitive and predictable, engineers can help users feel more comfortable and confident in adopting and using these technologies.     
  4. Error Mitigation:
    Humans can make mistakes, and automated driving systems need to be able to detect and respond to human errors effectively. Human factors engineering helps in designing systems that can detect when a human intervention is necessary, communicate effectively with users, and facilitate a smooth transition between human and automated control.     
  5. Adaptation to Human Behavior:
    Human-Factors engineering allows for the adaptation of automated driving systems to human behavior and preferences. For example, designing customizable interfaces or providing options for manual control can accommodate different user preferences and levels of comfort with automation.     
  6. Legal and Regulatory Compliance:
    Human-Factors engineering helps ensure that automated driving systems meet legal and regulatory requirements related to user safety, accessibility, and usability. Compliance with these regulations is essential for the widespread adoption and deployment of automated driving technology.     
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