Implications of a control-theoretic approach to human-automation-plant interface design

The article critically evaluates some of the design guidelines proposed by researchers investigating human automation interaction. A control theoretic framework is proposed to introduce a set of important conceptual distinctions that need to be respected in automation research and design. The framework is applied to a specific topic of recent research focus, modes in aviation automation. Although previous research in this area has advanced our understanding of key issues, the existing design guidelines lack the necessary specificity to contribute to major improvements in design practice. Our control theoretic perspective helps clarify these issues, and demonstrates why existing design guidelines are unlikely to fully support automation designers in their efforts to reduce the frequency of mode related errors. An alternative perspective, which we believe will yield more concrete design criteria and more appropriate tools, is suggested.