The Effects of Automation on Human Performance in High-Risk Environments: A Design Research Case Study on Cockpit Automation in Commercial Aircrafts in Israel
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1
Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, M.Des Industrial Design, Design Management and Innovation, Israel
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2
Israeli Air-Force, Innovation Department, Israel
Abstract:
In this paper I study the effects of automation on human performance in high-risk environments. While advances in automation partially replace human agency, humans still play a major role in operating and monitoring systems. As automation becomes increasingly prevalent in many industries, new issues arise. The issues I focus on in this study include the degradation of the operator's skills, difficulty of understanding automation because of increasing complexity, and "automation complacency," or the over-reliance and delegation of authority to automatic systems. These issues are problematic because, in many cases, automation is not yet fully autonomous, and, ironically, require increased human engagement.
I chose a case study as a basis for evaluating the effects of automation in high-risk environments, researching the effects of automation on pilot performance in Israeli commercial airline cockpits. My evaluation concentrated on four areas which impact the cockpit environment: the physical and psychological surroundings, crew dynamics, pilot culture and behavior, and key industry drivers.
I focused on a particular case study which allowed me to better identify the effects of automation specific to the field of aviation. Because each high-risk environment is unique not all solutions for one industry would be applicable to others. However, the lessons learned in one field may lead to methodologies for addressing problems that may be applicable to other industries. After completing my theoretical research, I performed qualitative and quantitative field research that included observations, interviews and surveys. My research identified several findings: 1) Because of automation, the center of operation in the cockpit has shifted, requiring changes in cockpit design. 2) Minor adjustments in physical space could significantly improve human interaction with automation. 3) Advancements in cockpit systems do not keep pace with a person's behavior resulting from his or her interaction with the latest technology. 4) Pilots have transitioned into powerful agents of change in the aviation industry. These findings led me to consider design opportunities and propositions to optimize synergy between pilots and the automated systems in the aircraft.
Introduction:
“If a medical algorithm is proven to produce more consistently accurate diagnoses than a physician, or semi-autonomous cars become more affordable and road-legal, it would be both unethical and legally questionable to refuse to use it. Few fields of human endeavor are likely to remain untouched” (Chatfield, 2016).
Interaction between human operators and automated systems is a key issue in today’s and tomorrow’s development of technology. The race to fully autonomous machines is on. In industries where human error is a matter of life or death, autonomous systems bring a dual promise – minimizing casualties and maximizing efficiency. As a result, entire industries are adopting automated systems with improved capabilities, while receiving significant support from regulatory and government authorities. That said, there are many technological, ethical, psychological and regulatory obstacles to overcome before surgeries are performed without surgeons, and commercial planes are flown without pilots.
In the meantime, human participation remains a critical factor in operating the systems. Until full autonomy is achieved, certain aspects of the relationship between highly automated systems and humans have proven to have negative effects and tragic consequences that jeopardize safety and raise questions concerning the future of automation interaction design. Whether or not fully autonomous systems will become routine, or what the consequences to the human workforce will be, are interesting questions, but are not the focus of this paper. Rather, this paper focuses on the transition period prior to full autonomy – when highly automated systems require human engagement.
Aviation has been at the forefront of using automation to perform various tasks in the cockpit. As a pilot, this issue is of great importance to me. I have experienced firsthand both the benefits of automation, as well as the negative effects on my performance, capabilities and behavior in the cockpit. Extensive research and development have been dedicated to automation and system design in modern aircrafts. Aircraft automation research and development has, in many cases, been the basis of automation and interaction design principles in other high risk automated environments, such as semi-autonomous cars and modern operating rooms. Through a design research methodology, my research provides a unique perspective and understanding of the effects of automation on human performance. The findings can lead to a better interaction between pilots and automated aircraft systems. I recognize that this research is only relevant for as long as human beings remain part of the equation.
Keywords:
Aircraft and cockpit design,
Human factors and ergonomics,
Aviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors,
human-automation interaction,
environmental psychology,
Design for behavioral change
Conference:
2nd International Neuroergonomics Conference, Philadelphia, PA, United States, 27 Jun - 29 Jun, 2018.
Presentation Type:
Oral Presentation
Topic:
Neuroergonomics
Citation:
Bendheim
AY
(2019). The Effects of Automation on Human Performance in High-Risk Environments: A Design Research Case Study on Cockpit Automation in Commercial Aircrafts in Israel.
Conference Abstract:
2nd International Neuroergonomics Conference.
doi: 10.3389/conf.fnhum.2018.227.00071
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Received:
13 Apr 2018;
Published Online:
27 Sep 2019.
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Correspondence:
Mr. Avner Y Bendheim, Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, M.Des Industrial Design, Design Management and Innovation, Jerusalem, Israel, avner.bendheim@gmail.com