Human interaction with computers and robots

Abstract

The evolution of information technology has been characterized by three trends: increasing ethereality, increasing connectivity, and increasing versatility. As a consequence of these trends, the nature of many of the devices and systems with which people interact, in the workplace and elsewhere, has been changing rapidly and is likely to continue to do so in the future. In particular, devices are acquiring more and more cognitive-type capabilities and are being used to perform an increasingly large fraction of the tasks once done by human beings. On the other hand, the increasing versatility of machines can expand greatly the universe of things that people can do with their help. Human factors researchers and engineers are concerned with the question of how to design tools, appliances, vehicles, communication devices and other artifacts so they are well matched to the capabilities and limitations of human beings and contribute positively to the safety, comfort, and productivity of their users. This concern will be at least as important in the future as it has been in the past, but the context in which it is exercised will be different in many respects. Reflection on how information technology may continue to evolve and be used raises many human factors issues and questions that need to be addressed. @ 1995 John WIley & Sons, Inc.