Introduction to Human Factors Engineering ©2014 Joe TritschlerDepartment of Biomedical, Industrial & Human factors EngineeringWright State University • Dayton, OhioIntroduction to Human Factors Engineering• Human Factors – also known as:– Ergonomics in Europe– Human Engineering in the Military– Engineering Psychology with PsychologistsReminder - What is Engineering?• Engineers apply principles of math & science to solve technical problems.• The laws and forces of nature are directed by engineers to meet human needs.• Engineering is the application of science & math to solve technical problems and create new systems, products or devices to benefit civilization.What is Human Factors Engineering?“Discovers and applies information about human behavior, abilities, and limitations to the design of tools, machines, systems, tasks, jobs, and environments for productive, safe, comfortable, and effective human use.”HFE is the ultimate expression of a human-centric discipline!Focus of HFE• Focus is on human beings and their interaction with:– products– equipment– facilities– procedures– environmentMain Objectives Of HFE• To enhance the effectiveness and efficiency with which work and other activities are carried out;• To enhance certain desirable human values.– Safety, convenience, etc.What ISN’T HFE?• Human Factors Engineering is not just applying checklists and guidelines.• Human Factors Engineering is not using oneself as the model for designing things (your specific needs MIGHT NOT represent everyone on the planet!).• Human Factors Engineering is not just common sense.Early History• Frank and Lillian Gilbreth– Early 1900’s; studied the work habits and environment of industrial employees to find ways to make their jobs easier and increase productivity – Motion study; categorized and studied the 17 hand motions of factory workers with the objective of maximizing efficiency by reducing them– Pioneered the concept of the nurse serving as “caddy” to the surgeon, preparing and handing surgical tools during the operation• 1945 – 1960 (beginning of the discipline as we recognize it today)– U.S. Army Air Corps– U.S. Navy• 1960-1980– Period of rapid growth– Space Program– Industry– Workplace– Product Design• 1980’s, 1990’s, 2000’s, 2010’s– Computers, Disasters, and LitigationVery important to start thinking in terms of systems.Human - Machine System:InformationProcessingControllingControlsSensingDisplaysOperationInput OutputHuman BeingMachineInformationProcessing &Decision MakingInfo/InputOutputSensing/ReceivingInformationActionFunctions,Physical ControlsInformation StorageKey Points• Components serve functions• Components interact• Systems, subsystems, and components have inputs and