Designing automation for human use: empirical studies and quantitative models

An emerging knowledge base of human performance research can provide guidel ines for designing automation that can be used effectively by human operato rs of complex systems. Which functions should be automated and to what exte nt in a given system? A model for types and levels of automation that provi des a framework and an objective basis for making such choices is described . The human performance consequences of particular types and levels of auto mation constitute primary evaluative criteria for automation design when us ing the model. Four human performance areas are considered-mental workload, situation awareness, complacency and skill degradation. Secondary evaluati ve criteria include such factors as automation reliability, the risks of de cision/action consequences and the ease of systems integration. In addition to this qualitative approach, quantitative models can inform design. Sever al computational and formal models of human interaction with automation tha t have been proposed by various researchers are reviewed. An important futu re research need is the integration of qualitative and quantitative approac hes. Application of these models provides an objective basis for designing automation for effective human use.