Ergonomics and Human-Machine Systems

 

Content

The lecture Ergonomics and Human-Machine Systems provides an introduction to various aspects on how to design the labor division and cooperation between humans and machines. First, the technological-technical design of manual activities and time management will be addressed. Subsequently, the focus is on cognitive work activities and an arc is drawn from the basic principles of human information processing via human-computer interaction to the analysis and design possibilities using innovative technologies such as augmented and virtual reality.

Objective

In this course, based on the theoretical contents conveyed for various topics that encompass and go beyond subject matters, the methods are applied and trained in weekly interactive exercises. Besides the understanding of basic models and approaches for a human-centered development and analysis of socio-technical systems, especially criteria for the selection of a suitable approach for the design of human-machine interfaces as well as limitations of the applied subjective as well as objective methods are demonstrated.

Teaching and Learning Method

Skill building takes place through the application of the methodological principles for user-centered design of human-machine interaction taught in the lecture videos in the context of practical exercises. This weekly two-part approach enables the transfer/application of the taught models to concrete use cases. Through the two-part structure, students develop both the competence to apply the available models and, in particular, to make well-founded decisions as to which of the methods is best suited for the respective issues. In addition, the methodological as well as technology-related limitations are discussed, so that after successful completion of the course, the students can evaluate the applicability and suitability of the methods and models in a context-specific and well-founded manner.