Search

The results from a user study on teleoperated steering tasks are used to create a driver model under different latency conditions. The 31-subject user study explored the effects of latency on teleoperated steering tasks using a simulated mobile robot receiving input commands from a teleoperator via a computer gamepad. Using fundamental concepts from automotive steering models, and examining the users' input commands to the simulated robot under different latency conditions, a model of a human teleoperator for steering tasks was developed, tuned and validated. The model is a PD controller with feedback based on the projected lateral displacement of the robot. The tuning of the model gains for different latency scenarios reflects the real-world control strategies that users must employ when adapting to system latency. Simulation results show that the control gains can be interpolated to predict teleoperator performance under latency scenarios that were not tested with users. An analysis of the closed-loop stability of the system confirms our empirical observation that the ratio of the controller gains Kd/Kp increases as the latency increases.

Human Adaptive Mechatronics (HAM) considers operator's individual skills and preferences. Operator's performance is time-varying and stochastic. Modifying the static parameters of the Human-Machine Interface (HMI) the human operator's skill level and dynamic characteristics can be passively adapted. Knowledge-based approach is applied to change the machine parameters. This leads to a novel Skill Adaptive Control (SAC), which is described in the paper. A trolley crane system is simulated to test how operators can benefit of SAC. Four operators were using the system.

Creative activities such as painting and music are a source of satisfaction and fulfillment for many people with disabilities, but some individuals with disabilities cannot satisfactorily enjoy such activities due to their involuntary movements. We developed a drawing assistance system for people with nonperiodic involuntary movements that has a position correction filter which adaptively varies the attenuation in the involuntary movements in real time, and error-drawing prevention with force control. Here we confirmed that the system enables a user to draw or paint based on the user's own senses and motor control, even when experiencing involuntary movement.

In this paper we are presenting a PDA interface for operating a mobile robot remotely. The interface is designed for exploration robotics, in which a roving operator, equipped with a hand-held device can partly share with the robot the scenario to be explored. Based on user evaluation we improved the first prototype and provided some guidelines for PDA interfaces design. The second protoype with the contributed improvements is also presented.

Ecological interfaces have been created for a variety of safety-critical domains. A vast majority of these designs are the product of a single designer or a small, integrated team. We describe a unique effort whereby three teams distributed across three cities on two continents conducted a work domain analysis, and then designed and implemented an ecological interface. We extract implications for scaling up the EID framework and managing distributed design efforts.

Cognitive Work Analysis is an approach to understand work in complex socio-technical environments. Despite the promising advantages of framing cognitive tasks within this model most of the published research is limited to first stages of CWA and developed an abstract understanding rather than tangible design recommendations. In this paper alarm handling in rail electrical control room was chosen as the case study which conducts CWA in order to understand its potential and limitations and to determine the challenges in doing so.

A haptic gas pedal was developed, which continuously displays inter-vehicle separation information to drivers during car following. The haptic information is generated by combining time-headway and time-to-contact to the lead vehicle. It is expected that haptic gas pedal feedback will allow drivers to better divide their attention between the car-following task and a secondary task demanding visual attention, than when driving without haptic gas pedal feedback. An experiment was conducted to investigate this hypothesis. Drivers were given a visual in-vehicle task: selecting tracks on a CD-player. In general, the haptic feedback system did not seem to significantly affect driving behavior, but yielded lower task-completion times in the more critical following situations compared to the condition without support. During execution, the secondary task greatly increased following headways, with and without haptic support. This is most likely the result of the driving strategy drivers apply when diverting their attention away from the driving scene: increasing the following gap.

This paper describes the utilization of a heuristic tool for analysing the intrinsic complexity and usability of an HMI (Human-Machine Interface) of the on board information system embedded into the light rail CITADIS (vehicle manufactured by Alstom Transport). The usefulness of this tool is assessing early designs of this kind of equipment, prior to its implementation in a functional platform, or even in the rolling stock.

Recent developments in Human Machine Interface (HMI) have brought remarkable advances in performance, flexibility and openness. Selecting a HMI interface for PLC based automation system that will meet the needs of the process over the projected life time of control system requires consideration of many issues. This paper describes soft and hard issues concerning the selection and design of Human Machine Interface for PLC based Automation System. The designed strategy proposed here can be streamlined to avoid excessive paperwork.

The paper describes the design and implementation of an HMI for a SCADA system for the sugar industry. The choice of the used technologies and languages are motivated and the structure of the implemented system is presented. The results of preliminary test are discussed and the further work to be done is outlined.

This paper gives a brief overview of the three-year research project, 'Situation and intent recognition for risk finding and avoidance.' The project was launched in 2004 with the support of the Government of Japan, for developing proactive safety technology to detect mismatches among traffic environment, driver's recognition of it, and intent of the driver so that the driver may be provided with an appropriate assist functions in a situation-adaptive and context-dependent manner. This paper gives an introduction to the papers delivered in the organized session, 'Context-dependent driver support for automobile safety.'

Manufacturing strategies, including automation, evaluation overview. Overlooking for safety, security and reliability of technical devices and systems. Perspectives of human - machine interfaces as a part of technical object life-cycle. Final conclusion: it is possible to increase set of safety/ security/ reliability/ cost thought the better man machine interface.

Operators' situational risk awareness (SRA) is crucial for adequate decision making and action in human-machine systems. Data overload can contribute to a loss of SRA, but it is possible to provide technological support by a risk-assessment system. When evaluating a SRA-support system during the development process, specific questions have to be addressed to achieve user-centered design. This paper presents an evaluation study of the Navigational Risk Detection and Assessment System (NARIDAS) that was conducted in a ship-handling simulator. Results show slightly positive effects of NARIDAS on SRA and navigation performance.

The Department of Ferrous Metallurgy at RWTH Aachen University has purchased a vacuum induction furnace in 2004. After finishing the design of the metallurgical function the engineering of the automation system started in cooperation with the manufacturer ALD Vacuum Technologies, Hanau and the Chair of Process Control Engineering at RWTH Aachen University. This paper gives an overview of the furnace's capabilities from the automation engineering as well as from the metallurgical point of view.

Driver fatigue monitoring systems might help to reduce sleep-related crashes by informing or alerting the driver, or even by taking corrective actions in the driving task. A questionnaire was designed to discover the objectives and the predicted effects of these systems from the expert's view. Researchers (N=19) predict positive effects of fatigue monitoring, as the reduction of accidents, but do not deny possible hazards due to behavioural adaptation. Professional drivers (N=52) claim it is particularly important to develop an affirmative attitude towards driving without fatigue and see potential in enhancing the individual responsibility of the drivers.

This paper discusses the temporal fit of teams of controllers to a real world hydropower system (HPS) in a deregulated market environment, emphasizing how well displays support quality of control performance by industry controllers. The results of an empirical evaluation suggest that displays that integrate task constraints over appropriate time scales help controllers construct more immediate responses and more effective patterns of activity in handling contingencies. Copyright

The contribution describes design and construction of hydrogen powered car based on fuel cell technology and electrical DC-drive. The main focus is given to control system and human machine interface of the car. The practical solution of control system is described and the experiences with its operation are presented. The wireless communication system for connection the car and PC monitoring system is described. The contribution also brings the results of testing the car.

Mixed reality environments, especially CAVEs, are still very much restricted towards vision and sound as means of communication between dislocated engineers. For future applications of mixed reality collaboration CAVEs in engineering, it is important to integrate more physical phenomena into the collaboration session. This paper will present an “Aero-Cave”, the extension of a low cost CAVE, developed in a student project, with aerodynamics. It will be argued, that this extension might be helpful for some engineering design and maintenance tasks.

A concept of mixing distributed real and virtual worlds through a unified human-machine interface connecting logical to physical phenomena will be introduced and shown how this can be used for distributed collaboration if two or more physical locations and environments are involved. Relations to control-theory and modeling are presented.

With the increasing use of TFT monitors in machine controllers, the possibilities of interaction and visualization have changed considerably. On the same side modern production systems are getting more and more complex and a huge amount of information has to be visualized. To investigate the usefulness of virtual human-like characters – so called avatars – in industrial applications, a concept for visualization of specific information through different kinds of avatars within the same application will be presented. The specific character of a single avatar varies depending on the specific information to be presented.

The importance of playing for the cerebral development of children is well-known since many years. This paper addresses the central role of robotics and automation for making toys available to children with severe physical handicaps in order to provide this user group with comparable possibilities to share these experiences. A qualitative study has been carried out in order to find out how children with physical handicaps play in comparison with normal children. First results of this study are given in this paper. Based on the results of this study a dedicated robot system which supports children with the above mentioned handicaps for interaction with standard toys is being realized by ARC Seibersdorf research and is described in this article. First results from user trials are given and future development is outlined.

The model of Driver-Vehicle-Environment will be one of the essential elements in order to personalise the design of Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI) of ADAS/IVIS systems in modern vehicles. In this paper the fundamental correlations for developing such models are discussed in some detail.

In our Rail Human Factors approach, we define the human as the starting point for our interdisciplinary research on the design of human-machine interfaces in railway systems. Our research is based on three key issues: understanding the user (operator), evaluating existing systems, and developing and testing new concepts. Furthermore, we develop new methods for evaluation and design of railway systems. In the present paper we explain our approach and give examples for its application.

This paper describes an approach to arm-posture recognizing and interpreting by mobile robot while following a person. We combine color and stereo cues to detect and track a person in dynamic indoor environments in real-time. The arm-postures are very simple and can be described by a spatial relation between a person's face and hands. Color image processing and labeling techniques are used to detect candidates of face, hands and shirt. The localization and recognition take place by analyzing the labeled images and utilizing a range histogram. Using heuristics for the size and spatial relations we can locate the tracked person as well as the person's face and hands. Experiments conducted with a Pioneer 2 DX mobile robot equipped with an active color camera and a stereovision system have shown the presented approach to be repeatable and robust to noise.

Research is currently pursued to enable future technologies to be incorporated in the future Air Navigation System. It has been acknowledged that users should be incorporated in the development process to validate the proposed technologies. To investigate attitudes towards new technology and important instances of communication interviews will be performed. In the present study results from introductory interviews with Air Traffic Controllers are presented.

This paper deals with the human-machine-interface of the AWAKE system, which is designed for the “effective assessment of driver vigilance and warning according to traffic risk etimation”. It shows the development procedure of the AWAKE warning concept based on literature, existing guidelines, analytical steps and usability experiments. The specific contextual conditions of interactions in hypovigilant driver states, low interaction experience, and potentially critical traffic situations are considered. Initial user tests of a mixed virtual and physical prototype in a driving simulator are described, which show high detection rates (99%) for the warnings and good acceptance of the AWAKE system.

The aim of this paper is to show the simulation, emulation and diagnostic possibilities of several industrial controllers and tools installed in our laboratories as well as the possibilities of exploitation of this simulation in the SCADA/HMI design, testing and in the teaching of SCADA/HMI design principles. Some software models of chemical plants have been designed with help of industrial simulation and emulation tools in our laboratories. This has been used for teaching and for SCADA/HMI applications and WEB control design and testing.

An omnidirectional wheelchair is highly maneuverable in narrow or crowded areas such as residences, offices and hospitals. In this paper, a novel motion control system for an omnidirectional wheelchair is proposed. In order to ensure a comfortable ride for the patient, the controller is designed using a hybrid shape approach that considers both time and frequency characteristics. The effectiveness of the proposed system is evaluated by the output signal of a sensor attached to the wheelchair and by a descriptive inspection by several users.

This paper analyses the actual problems of elderly drivers in coping with certain driving tasks (i.e. changing lanes, merging or leaving from a parking position) from a structured state of the art and accident analysis and their impacts to the relevant design of telematic and other vehicle aids HMI. This work is part of AGILE project, co-funded by the Quality of Life programme of the European Commission, which aims at developing a better driving ability assessment and support framework for elderly drivers.

In dynamic process supervision it is important to exhibit the different human operator behaviour patterns when performed a specified task. This paper presents a method based on a micro-world environment to, first, outline the concepts underlying the different human operator strategies, and second, encapsulate them in a library of artificial agents. These artificial agents are then used as indicators to which human operator behaviours can be compared to assess the reasoning strategy.

Domotics is the technology for developing the automation of common installations in a house or building. Despite the high expectations due to the potential energy saving, comfort and security, there was a low increasing in the number of domotics installations. Main reasons are the diversity of existing products and the difficulties potential users perceive in their managing. Our research group has developed several software tools that simplify the design, installation and maintenance of domotics buildings. Also, they provide a friendly interface with the end user, for the local and remote supervision of the automated functions.

This paper reports an observational study of a Computerized Procedure System (CPS) under development for an advanced main control room in Korea. The purpose of this study was to examine possible effects of using the CPS. The crew, a shift supervisor and two operators, admitted that the CPS reduced their mental workload and they thought the CPS was better than or as good as paper-based procedures. One significant effect was that the amount of communication between the shift supervisor and two board operators was reduced considerably.

This paper presents IDA-S, a systematic framework for use in describing and defining relationships between a human operator and an (partially) automated system. The purpose of the framework is to support systems engineers, human-factors experts and other design stakeholders, in exploring alternative ways in which a function might be shared between a human and a machine. This paper discusses one particular aspect of IDA-S, namely the way that the framework describes supervisory arrangements for automated systems.

This paper describes a case study on the evaluation of the control board in an actual Chinese nuclear power plant. A computer-simulation-based evaluation software system is utilized in the study. The study aims at verifying the feasibility and usability of the evaluation software in Chinese nuclear power plant and at finding the potential problems in the original design from the viewpoint of human error probability. The results turn out that some potential problems and mismatches were detected in the design and the operation procedures. An example modified design is proposed to decrease the possibility of potential operators' errors. The improvement effects were demonstrated from the comparison of the analysis results between the modified design and the original one. It is expected that the Chinese human machine interface assessment technologies could be developed on the basis and results of this study.

In this paper the DaimlerChrysler contribution to the project Driving Assistance Strategies which was a part of the German joint research programme MoTiV (Mobility and Transportation within an intermodal traffic) is presented. To support the driver in highway driving tasks an advanced driving assistance system was developed at DaimlerChrysler which combines the longitudinal and lateral vehicle guidance. An experimental vehicle was equipped with image processing and an electronic steering system. To explore the acceptance and handling of this driving assistance system a Man Machine Interface with different user versions was developed. In order to ensure the highest system safety level an extensive safety process was performed. The paper concludes in the main results of the field tests regarding the acceptance of the tested advanced driving assistance systems.

This paper describes two computerized travel aids for the blind and visually impaired that use technologies originally developed for mobile robots. The first device - the Nav Belt is like a belt and, via a set of stereo earphones, provides acoustic signals that guide the user around obstacles. The second device - the Guide Cane uses the same mobile robotics technology as the Nav Belt but it is a wheeled device pushed ahead of the user via an attached cane. When it detects an obstacle it steers around it. The user immediately feels this steering action and follows the Guide Cane's new path.

In this work an interactive real time expert system is presented. It has a flexible rule acquisition interface, which allows the process engineer to transfer his knowledge to the system. Furthermore it has a user friendly rule execution interface, which allows the process engineer to verify the veracity of the acquired knowledge. An application of this system for hot strip mill product quality supervision, and sensor validation are described.

The 21 st century is likely to see many robots and computer systems coming into the sphere of daily life. Such robots and systems must possess the ability to cooperate and coexist along with humans. In this paper an adaptive behavioral companion robot based on human satisfaction (ACOM) which is evaluated by frontal electroencephalogram (EEG) measurement was proposed. Psychological impression of ACOM toward the human was investigated through an interactive experiment, showing the possibility of a robot which understands human satisfaction and takes adaptive behavior.

As for constitution method of group work support system, various types of ideas and methods have been proposed and discussed so far. We have developed the design support system for rolling stock. We think through our experiences that it is very important to describe the actual system design method for group work support system. The actual system design methods by making relation between different systems, which makes it possible to perform high reliability and efficiency, are proposed and evaluated.

The paper’s aim is an overhead travelling crane automation based on both design of technology and management leading to improve the device automation with human – machine interface. On the ground of selected review of crane exploitation problems, the automated crane structure with human - device interaction have been discussed and concluded.

In 1996, the Belgian utilities Electrabel and SPE decided to start a training centre for Conventional Generation at Aalst near Brussels. As an important part in the training program, training is provided on five multifunctional simulators for combined cycle power plants and cogeneration units. This article gives a description of the workshop used for building the simulators and of the simulators regarding scope, man machine interface, models and training capabilities. Before giving the conclusions, the training program and goals for the simulator training are highlighted.

The contribution deals with the tenninology of SCADA/HMI (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition/Human Machine Interface), further discusses emerging and open technologies and their influence on increasing capabilities or managing of SCADA/HMI. At the end it presents practical applications ofthe distributed SCADA/HMI at DCAI (Department of Cybernetics and Artificial Intelligence).

Authors developed the collision avoidance supporting system based on a new concept to carry out “Strategic Maneuvering”. The system was installed in the coastal cargo ship and some problem concerned with availability of the system were obtained during demonstrative experiments. Authors identified several problem with adjustment system’s indication to user feeling and tuned it suitable. As a result, it was confirmed that system support was effective for “Strategic Maneuvering”.

Windows-orientated software systems, such as WINDOWS, OS/2, MAC OS have meanwhile become the state-of-the-art in the field of home and office computers. They considerably ease the handling of complex systems for beginners due to the utilisation of well known metaphors, such as paper basket, file, sand-glass as well as direct manipulation techniques (e.g. Drag-and-Drop). Hence it is not surprising, that these systems are also used more and more in the field of industrial applications. Unfortunately developers do not take into account several important differences between office and industrial applications. One important difference is surely the necessity for a mouse-replacement, as a standard office mouse is not applicable due to dirt and the absence of a rolling surface. This paper will describe the problem and evaluate alternative devices.

The increased level of automation and changes in organizations are changing the nature of process control. These developments are setting new requirements on process control systems. Technologies available today make it possible to support organization related functions like communication, co-operation, co-ordination and knowledge management. The systems of the future will contain tools that support functions inside the organization as well. This paper presents an organization related framework for the development of process control systems. Example tools and a case study are also presented.

A simulation environment of plant operation, which consists of an operator model, a human-machine interface (HMI) model and a plant model was developd. When the operator model recognizes an abnormal situation, the model generates a countermeasure program in its short-term memory based on both the plant state information acquired from the plant model through the HMI model and the knowledge bases installed into the operator model. A comparison between the operator model's behavior and the human operator's behavior under the same malfunction was used to extract the characteristics of the human operator and to obtain information on human errors.

We developed a linear regression model with Electroencephalograms(EEGs) to estimate the mind state of a plant operator. First, we defined three modes according to the typical thinking state of plant operators. The classification was validated by preparatory experiments with card games, mathematical problems, and puzzles. The estimation method was applied to a plant operator who operates a boiler plant simulator under abnormal situations. As a result, the method provided the plant operator's mind state, which is liable to be overlooked by analyzing with a simple interview and observation.

Nowadays the interaction between different cultures has become a common occurrence. The Institute for Production Automation of the University Kaiserslautern investigated the emerging markets in the Far East to evaluate the differences of eastern cultures in machine operation. This evaluation identifies the momentary requirements and needs. Most of the developing countries, have prior needs than a well designed human-machine-interface. Nevertheless the study pointed out, that user-interface-design has to take into account the social and cultural differences of these markets.

An advanced navigation support system (ANSS) was developed aiming at one-man bridge operation (OMBO). The ANSS designed based on active sailor's demands collected through a series of simulator experiments and interviews. The ANSS has many automatic navigation functions such as a TRACK PILOT, etc. All functions for aMBO are controlled with speech communication. The first ship, which is equipped with the ANSS, started her service from September 1997. Through the observation of actual use of the ANSS, the effectiveness of the ANSS and its man machine interface are discussed. In this paper, after a brief introduction of our research program, the design principles and functions of the ANSS are described. Then the functions of man-machine interface using speech communication and its implementation are described. Finally, we discuss the effectiveness of the ANSS and its man machine interface through the observation of actual use and the subjective evaluation of active users.

Activities in performing arts and industrial engineering are briefly compared. This gives an overview on several professions. The modes of communication in both domains, including the view on agent-agent communication with different forms of control and display, as well as dimensions of expression and cognition, are discussed. Then, examples of human-computer interfaces in both areas, the performing arts as well as engineering and the service sectors, are explained. The possibilities of transferring experience between both worlds are analysed.