The Human Nervous System as a Model for Function Allocation in Human-Automation Interaction

The purpose of this presentation is to discuss structure and function of the human nervous system from the view point of the distribution of authority, sharing responsibility and controlling ways as a best model for designing of human-automation interaction. The cognitive view of function allocation was also discussed. The broad scope of ergonomics led to the most transparent, predictable and controllable automation system design. Function allocation is an ergonomic method to decide whether a particular function will be accomplished by a human, by an automation system or by human-automation interaction. Investigation of the human nervous system from integrative perspective provides the better understanding of the basis of automation and designing a better function allocation. High cognitive demands in human-automation interface can also influence the function allocation in man-machine system. It is expected that this presentation will offer the overview of this emerging area, as well as the new and future areas of its application.