In massive programming environments, large-scale data processing, data-entry applications, it is crucial to promote Human-Computer Interface (HCI) and ergonomic design features for machine components. A taxonomy of ergonomics including the human-robot interface and mobile HCI is presented in this article. It also provides a single platform for cross-fertilization of works peculiar to biomechanics, multimodal interactions and virtual books. The deleterious effects of non-ergonomic computing environments and desirable ergonomic conditions are also presented. The article presents neither an ergonomic design nor ergonomic solution, but facilitates the computer users to take care of the software ergonomic aspects of computing environments.
Ergonomics
is the study of the environment, conditions and efficiency of workers. It is the
study of the conditions in which people can work most effectively with machines.
Ergonomic designs are now considered valuable, owing to the increasing machine-working
environments to get optimum overall system performance along with human well-being.
The work contributes to the improvement of the ergonomic quality of interactive
software. It is about increasing available knowledge about users' activities and
cognitive characteristics, as well as the usability of software systems. It also
presents how to improve ergonomic designs and evaluation methods (INRIA, 2004).
Physical
ergonomics is concerned with human anatomical, anthropometric, physiological,
and biomechanical characteristics as they relate to physical activity. It includes
working postures, materials handling, work-related musculoskeletal disorders,
repetitive movements, workplace layout, safety and health. Cognitive ergonomics
is concerned with mental processes such as perception, memory, reasoning, and
motor response, as they affect human-machine involving mental workload, decision-making,
skilled performance, HCI and human reliability (INRIA, 2004). |
