20-12-2012, 06:54 PM
Human Factors
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Human Factors: Overview
Successful design entails what man:
Needs
Wants (desires)
Can use
Human factors investigated by designers:
Anthropometry (Human physical size, limitations)
Physiology: human body,
Reactions (hearing, seeing, touching, etc.)
Functions
Limitations
Capabilities
Ergonomics (“doing” vs. anthropometry: “being”)
dynamic interaction of operator and machine
Psychology: influence of mental conditions
Others: social, climate, religion, etc.
Human factors, definitions
Definition 1:
Systematic application of information about human:
Capabilities, limitations, and characteristics to the design of:
objects and procedures that people use,
and the environment in which they use them
Definition 2:
HF discovers and applies information about human:
Behavior, abilities, limitations, other characteristics to the design of:
tools, machines, systems, jobs, tasks, environments for:
productive, safe, comfortable, effective human use
Human Factors: Characteristics
HF involves study of:
Human response to environment
Response as a basis for design, improvements
Characteristics of HF:
Machines must be built to serve humans (not opp.)
Design must take human differences into account
Designs influence humans
Design process must include data and calculations
Human data must be tested scientifically
Humans and machines are related
NOT just check lists and guidelines
NOT: using oneself as model for design
NOT just common sense
Human-Machine Systems
System (Defn):
“Entity that exists to carry out some purpose”
Components: humans, machines, other entities
Components must integrate to achieve purpose(i.e. not possible by independent components):
Find, understand, and analyze purpose
Design system parts
System must meet purpose
Machine (Defn):
Physical object, device, equipment, or facility
used to perform an activity
Human-Machine system (Defn):
≥1 Human + ≥ physical component
Interaction using given input/command
Result: desired output
e.g. man + nail + hammer to hang picture on wall
See Figure 1-1, pp. 15 (Sanders and McCormick)