Embodied conversational agents (ECA) and speech-based human-machine interfaces can together represent more advanced and more natural human-machine interaction. Fusion of both topics is a challenging agenda in research and production spheres. The important goal of human-machine interfaces is to provide content or functionality in the form of a dialog resembling face-to-face conversations. All natural interfaces strive to exploit and use different communication strategies that provide additional meaning to the content, whether they are human-machine interfaces for controlling an application or different ECA-based human-machine interfaces directly simulating face-to-face conversation. Coverbal Synchrony in Human-Machine Interaction presents state-of-the-art concepts of advanced environment-independent multimodal human-machine interfaces that can be used in different contexts, ranging from simple multimodal web-browsers (for example, multimodal content reader) to more complex multimodal human-machine interfaces for ambient intelligent environments (such as supportive environments for elderly and agent-guided household environments). They can also be used in different computing environments-from pervasive computing to desktop environments. Within these concepts, the contributors discuss several communication strategies, used to provide different aspects of human-machine interaction.

Written by leaders in their respective fields, Ergonomics and Psychology discusses recent advancements in psychology and addresses their applications in practice through ergonomics. The book describes the basic ideas that underpin the most successfully applied approaches in ergonomics, psychology, training, education, and more. It explores the mutual influences of cognitive, ecological, and activity theory approaches and demonstrates the effectiveness of these approaches in ergonomics and industrial/organizational psychology.

Manufacturers are becoming more aware of human factors in product design as a major competitive issue. In many product areas, manufacturers have reached a technology ceiling, which simply means that it is increasingly difficult to get ahead of the competition in terms of, for example, functionality, technical reliability or manufacturing costs. As a consequence, design has become a major battleground for manufacturers, and usability is recognized as being a central tenet of good design. This book provides a unique snapshot of current practice in human factors, identifying methods and techniques that work well under tight constraints and providing case study evidence of their effectiveness. The commercial implications of usability are discussed, and special attention is paid to two key trends: inclusive design and smart products. Inclusive design is about meeting the needs of all users with one design, which includes the elderly and the disabled. Smart products are multi-functional products with electronic interfaces containing a vast array of "helpful" functions. Industrial designers and manufacturing executives will find this text enlightening.

There is now a serious discussion taking place about the moment at which human beings will be surpassed and replaced by the machine. On the one hand we are designing machines which embed more and more human intelligence, but at the same time we are in danger of becoming more and more like machines. In these circumstances, we all need to consider: * What can we do? * What should we do? * What are the alternatives of doing it? This book is about the human-centred alternative of designing systems and technologies. This alternative is rooted in the European tradition of human-centredness which emphasises the symbiosis of human capabilities and machine capacity. The human-centred tra dition celebrates the diversity of human skill and ingenuity and provides an alternative to the 'mechanistic' paradigm of 'one best way', the 'sameness of science' and the 'dream of the exact language'. This alternative vision has its origin in the founding European human-centred movements of the 1970s. These include the British movement of Socially Useful Technology, the Scandinavian move ment of Democratic Participation, and the German movement of Humanisation of Work and Technology. The present volume brings together various strands of human-centred systems philosophy which span the conceptual richness and cultural diversity of the human-centred movements. The core ideas of human-centredness include human-machine symbiosis, the tacit dimension of knowl edge, the system as a tool rather than a machine, dialogue, partici pation, social shaping and usability.

This book contains a selection of articles on the subject of 'Culture and Production'. They are results of international conferences held in Tokyo, Washington and Bremen between 1991 and 1994. The International Research Network on Culture and Production (CAPIRN) carried out a 5-year joint research project examining the impact of different industrial cultures on the development and implementation, and above all on the international transfer of technology. The machine tools sector was selected for this international comparative study, because over the last 15 years this global market has undergone dramatic changes that cannot be adequately explained by traditional economic theories of international competition. The 'industrial culture' research concept permits an analysis and understanding of hitherto unrecognised interrelationships between the dimensions of different industrial cultures and the process of technological innovation in international competition. The special challenge faced by CAPIRN was to develop the theoretical concept of industrial culture further and to apply it within a large-scale international study. A considerable amount of work in this field has been published by CAPIRN members since 1990. This book is the first compilation of research findings in the field of industrial culture. We wish to express our thanks to the national research councils in the participant countries, the FORCE and FAST programmes of the European Union, the Japanese Ministry for Industry, MITI, and the Hans Bockler Foundation, to mention only some of the many bodies that have provided support.

Occupational Ergonomics: Principles of Work Design focuses on the fundamentals in ergonomics design and evaluation. Divided into two parts, Part I covers the background for the discipline and profession of ergonomics and offers an international perspective on ergonomics. Part II describes the foundations of ergonomics knowledge, including fundamentals of ergonomics, fundamentals of work analysis, and cognitive issues. The authors discuss ergonomics of system design and outline the principles of certification in professional ergonomics. Methods for evaluation of physical workload due to posture (RULA and OWAS), as well as computer-aided human models and other software-based tools for ergonomic analysis and design are reviewed.

Safety Science Research: Evolution, Challenges and New Directions provides a unique perspective into the latest developments of safety science by putting together, for the first time, a new generation of authors with some of the pioneers of the field. Forty years ago, research traditions were developed, including, among others, high-reliability organisations, cognitive system engineering or safety regulations. In a fast-changing world, the new generation introduces, in this book, new disciplinary insights, addresses contemporary empirical issues, develops new concepts and models while remaining critical of safety research practical ambitions. Their ideas are then reflected and discussed by some of the pioneers of safety science. Features Allows the reader to discover how contemporary safety issues are currently framed by a new generation of researchers, brought together for the first time Includes an introduction and guide to the development of safety science over the last four decades Features an extraordinary collection of expert contributors, including pioneers of safety research, reflecting the evolution of the discipline and offering insightful commentary on the current and future state of the field Serves as an invaluable reference and guide for safety professionals and students from any established disciplines such as sociology, engineering, psychology, political science or management as well as dedicated safety programmes Some figures in the eBook are in colour

Now in its fourth edition, Behavioral Research and Analysis: An Introduction to Statistics within the Context of Experimental Design presents an overview of statistical methods within the context of experimental design. It covers fundamental topics such as data collection, data analysis, interpretation of results, and communication of findings. New in the Fourth Edition: Extensive improvements based on suggestions from those using this book in the classroom Statistical procedures that have been developed and validated since the previous edition Each chapter in the body now contains relevant key words, chapter summaries, key word definitions, and end of chapter exercises (with answers) Revisions to include recent changes in the APA Style Manual When looking for a book for their own use, the authors found none that were totally suitable. They found books that either reviewed the basics of behavioral research and experimental design but provided only cursory coverage of statistical methods or they provided coverage of statistical methods with very little coverage of the research context within which these methods are used. No single resource provided coverage of methodology, statistics, and communication skills. In a classic example of necessity being the mother of invention, the authors created their own. This text is ideal for a single course that reviews research methods, essential statistics through multi-factor analysis of variance, and thesis (or major project) preparation without discussion of derivation of equations, probability theory, or mathematic proofs. It focuses on essential information for getting a research project completed without prerequisite math or statistics training. It has been revised many times to help students at a variety of academic levels (exceptional high school students, undergraduate honors students, masters students, doctoral students, and post-doctoral fellows) across varied academic disciplines (e.g., human factors and ergonomics, behavioral and social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, exercise and sport sciences, business and management, industrial hygiene and safety science, health and medical sciences, and more). Illustrating how to plan, prepare, conduct, and analyze an experimental or research report, the book emphasizes explaining statistical procedures and interpreting obtained results without discussing the derivation of equations or history of the method. Destined to spend more time on your desk than on the shelf, the book will become the single resource you reach for again and again when conducting scientific research and reporting it to the scientific community. Illustrates how to plan, conduct, analyze, and prepare an experimental or research report Includes new statistical procedures that have been developed and validated since the previous edition Incorporates SAS in the exercises at the end of each chapter Takes into account the changes in the APA guidebook Provides new examples in exercise and sport science, public health, gerontology, and biomedical areas Solutions manual available upon qualifying course adoption

Developing the interface between humans and technology involves the strategic question of how to connect innovation in teaching with the creation of value. Originating from an international conference on technology education, innovation and management, this book provides a focused overview of theoretical findings on this topic as well as starting points for practical work. It not only displays the existing level of international agreement, but also demonstrates a commitment to further development of technology education. For example, parallels between teaching innovation and the work situation in smaller firms point to a general trend toward linking value creation and education. The book presents theory and practice clearly arranged with diagrams, figures and tables.

The piecemeal fashion in which human factors research has been conducted in the maritime domain makes information retrieval available only by scanning through numerous research journals and conference papers. Bringing together human factors information from this and other domains, Human Factors in the Maritime Domain integrates a common body of knowledge into one single volume. The book provides the vital background information necessary to acquire a core knowledge base and a much-needed overview of human factors within the maritime domain. It starts by putting the topic into an historical and theoretical context, moves onto more specific and detailed topics and contemporary thinking in human factors, then reviews new maritime technology. The authors take a holistic approach based on a model of the socio-technical system of work in the maritime domain. They synthesize available knowledge and research, then present in an easily acceptable framework with example, illustrations, and case studies whenever possible, making the text rigorous, useful, and enjoyable. The three authors draw on a range of diverse backgrounds including working as a maritime surveyor, transport consultant, human factors lecturer, and mechanical engineer. They have undertaken maritime research in Denmark, Australia, Malta, and the UK. They have published several other human factor books on related topics. This combination of human factors knowledge, maritime wisdom, and substantial publication experience results in a book that is effective and practical.

We all know that safety should be an integral part of the systems that we build and operate. The public demands that they are protected from accidents, yet industry and government do not always know how to reach this common goal. This book gives engineers and managers working in companies and governments around the world a pragmatic and reasonable approach to system safety and risk assessment techniques. It explains in easy-to-understand language how to design workable safety management systems and implement tested solutions immediately. The book is intended for working engineers who know that they need to build safe systems, but aren't sure where to start. To make it easy to get started quickly, it includes numerous real-life engineering examples. The book's many practical tips and best practices explain not only how to prevent accidents, but also how to build safety into systems at a sensible price. The book also includes numerous case studies from real disasters that describe what went wrong and the lessons learned. See What's New in the Second Edition: New chapter on developing government safety oversight programs and regulations, including designing and setting up a new safety regulatory body, developing safety regulatory oversight functions and governance, developing safety regulations, and how to avoid common mistakes in government oversight Significantly expanded chapter on safety management systems, with many practical applications from around the world and information about designing and building robust safety management systems, auditing them, gaining internal support, and creating a safety culture New and expanded case studies and "Notes from Nick's Files" (examples of practical applications from the author's extensive experience) Increased international focus on world-leading practices from multiple industries with practical examples, common mistakes to avoid, and new thinking about how to build sustainable safety management systems New material on safety culture, developing leading safety performance indicators, safety maturity model, auditing safety management systems, and setting up a safety knowledge management system

Air safety is right now at a point where the chances of being killed in an aviation accident are far lower than the chances to winning a jackpot in any of the major lotteries. However, keeping or improving that performance level requires a critical analysis of some events that, despite scarce, point to structural failures in the learning process. The effect of these failures could increase soon if there is not a clear and right development path. This book tries to identify what is wrong, why there are things to fix, and some human factors principles to keep in aircraft design and operations. Features Shows, through different events, how the system learns through technology, practices, and regulations and the pitfalls of that learning process Discusses the use of information technology in safety-critical environments and why procedural knowledge is not enough Presents air safety management as a successful process, but at the same time, failures coming from technological and organizational features are shown Offers ways to improve from the human factors side by getting the right lessons from recent events

Industrially developing countries have the largest populations, the highest levels of poverty, poor health, and illiteracy, and the greatest need for improvement in working conditions. And as the marketplace and the workforce goes increasingly global, accountability with regard to the abuse of cheap labor in developing countries is becoming an issue. Presenting a global view of the state of ergonomics in industrially developing countries (IDCs), Ergonomics in Developing Regions: Needs and Applications identifies problems, offers solutions, and explores costs and benefits. It defines the steps that can be taken to close the gap between working conditions in affluent and deprived nations. The book highlights the plight of millions of laborers and the poor working conditions pertaining to industrially less developed countries where the working environment mirrors the socio-economic deprivation of the people. Woven throughout the 34 chapters of this book is the tenet that good ergonomics is good economics. The chapters include examples of low-cost interventions at the work place in IDCs. The contributors discuss the ripple effect of ergonomics beyond the workplace to the betterment of life in general for the huge workforce in IDCs around the world. They focus on work-site problems and ergonomic solutions in developing regions around the globe, covering work conducted in Asia, Africa, South America, Russia, and China. Examining the factors unique to IDCs, leading ergonomists provide insights as to how sustainable progress is achievable in the developing world. They demonstrate the need for a more inclusive macro approach, citing managerial input essential for sustainable progress. With a panel of authors that reflects the multidisciplinary nature of the field, this book chronicles the nuances of differences in aim, practice, and outcome when ergonomists tackle Developing World problems from a Developing World perspective.

Biomechanics of Human Motion: Applications in the Martial Arts, Second Edition, explores the biomechanical principles of nine different forms of martial arts, with specific attention paid to their anatomical features. Within this examination, Professor Arus highlights the use of energy and force especially in Kyusho-Jutsu. Whereas the first edition provided an in-depth explanation of the Aikido techniques of Kokyu-ryoku, the second edition focusses specifically on the grabbing and liberation techniques used in Kyusho-Jutsu. Such an examination stresses the importance of vital points, "finger manipulation", and their co rresponding emphasis on energy usage. As Professor Arus details throughout Biomechanics of Human Motion, Second Edition, knowledge of this form of pressure point maneuvering is useful in both attack and counterattack situations, especially since the martial artist's anatomo-physiological adaptation to effort represents the most significant development in fighting regimens. The second edition also includes a discussion of the katana. Professor Arus notes that defense against the katana is nearly impossible, describing the three major steps used in Japanese (Ma). It is customary in Aikido to defend against a wooden sword. By using a wooden sword, an Aikido Master's demonstration is pre-determined. Techniques to defend against these demonstrations are discussed throughout the book. Finally, various attack and defense techniques using pressure points are also explained in Biomechanics of Human Motion, Second Edition.

This book will provide an overview of the rehabilitation engineering field, including key concepts that are required to provide a solid foundation about the discipline. It will present these concepts through a mix of basic and applied knowledge from rehabilitation engineering research and practice. It's written as an introductory text in order to provide access to the field by those without previous experience or background in the field.These concepts will include those related to engineering and health that are necessary to understand the application of rehabilitation engineering to support human function.

This book aims to help the reader to understand what motivates people to engage in risk taking behavior, such as participating in traffic, sports, financial investments, or courtship. The consequences of risk taking may be positive, or result in accidents and injuries, especially in traffic. The wealth of studies and theories (about 1000 references) is used to offer a cohesive, holistic view of risk motivation. The risk motivation theory is a dynamic state-trait model incorporating physiological, emotional and cognitive components of risk perception, processing and planning. If a deficit exists between desired and perceived risk, risk compensation behavior results. A feedback loop provides new information for the next perception-motivation-behavior process. Assumptions were tested and support was found with 120 subjects in a longitudinal study. The concepts and findings are discussed in relation to psychological theories and their meaning for our daily lives.

Textiles and Human Thermophysiological Comfort in the Indoor Environment delivers a methodical assessment of textile structures for various applications in the indoor environment with respect to the thermophysiological comfort of the inhabitants. The book begins by offering an overview of the role of indoor textiles and clothing as a barrier between the environment and the human body, and then: Explores the use of textiles as an insulation barrier, examining the relationships between textiles and the environment, and textiles and the human body Details an experimental study of heat and mass transfer processes through woven textiles with different applications in the indoor environment Describes a numerical investigation of the transport of air and heat through woven fabrics by means of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) Develops, applies, and verifies an original approach for simulating the woven macrostructure as a jet system, presenting proven results Evaluates thermophysiological comfort under the influence of indoor environmental parameters, clothing insulation, and activity Textiles and Human Thermophysiological Comfort in the Indoor Environment provides a valuable reference for students and researchers working in the area of clothing comfort.

Are the tried and true safety practices still effective in the changing workplace? Is there a better way of safeguarding employees from accidents and injuries? In short, why do you perform the safety activities that you do on a daily basis and do they produce the results necessary to keep your safety program and your company competitive in the global market? Answering these questions and more, Workplace Safety and Health: Assessing Current Practices and Promoting Change in the Profession analyzes the current practices and identifies emerging issues and challenges in the safety and health profession. We Need a Game Changer A New Way of Achieving a Safe and Healthful Workplace Safety pioneer and educator Thomas Schneid makes a strong case that mandatory compliance with OSHA regulations is only the first step in a safety program. And that, due to globalization and the current emphasis on sustainability, the requirements of the safety profession have changed. He explores new sources of information and guidance for addressing the new and emerging issues created by the current economic situation, globalization, and the changing workplace. He also identifies and analyzes emerging ethical issues within the safety and health profession, then suggests potential solutions. Schneid then examines the basic assumptions and challenges you to assess and evaluate your activities in search of a better and more effective way of achieving the results necessary to be competitive in today s workplace. Taking a provocative look at the current issues facing the safety profession, he shows you how to view safety activities and actions from a different perspective and see the real impact they have on the lives of others. He gives you the tools you need to go beyond OSHA compliance and develop safety programs that will be effective in the global workplace and create and maintain a safe workplace that eliminates all injuries and illnesses.

The 2000 edition of this long running and highly respected series, contains the best papers from the Ergonomics Society Annual Conference in 2000. The individual papers provide insight into current practice, presents new research findings, and forms an invaluable reference source. In addition to mainstream ergonomists and human factors specialists, Contemporary Ergonomics 2000 will appeal to all those who have an interest in peoples' interaction with their working and leisure environment - including designers, manufacturing and production engineers, health and safety specialists, occupational, applied and industrial psychologists and applied physiologists.

Thousands of people continue to die from heat. Heat illnesses and advice for preventing heat casualties at work, during heatwaves, sport and the effects of global warming are described. A new perspective on thermoregulation integrates physiological and psychophysical regulated variables. Heat stress indices, the WBGT and the SWreq are presented. It is time to understand and routinely use computer simulations of people in hot conditions. How to understand how a model can be constructed is also described. This book provides an accessible, concise and comprehensive coverage into how people respond to heat and how to predict and avoid heat causalities. A practical productivity model, and Burn thresholds, complete the book which begins with up to date knowledge on measurement of heat stress, heat strain, metabolic rate and the thermal properties and influences of clothing. Features Provides methods and regulations through international standards Illustrates the WBGT and analytical heat stress indices and how to construct a thermal model Discusses the role of clothing on heat stress and thermal strain Presents a new model for predicting productivity in the heat Offers a new method of human thermoregulation Considers heat illness and prevention during heatwaves and in global warming

Safety professionals interact with many other functions within the organization, including but not limited to production, human resources, and medical, with each function possessing specific laws and regulations which govern their actions and inactions. In order to function within the organizational structure, they need a working knowledge of the laws and regulations which impact his/her area of responsibility as well as the laws and regulations which impact employees, managers, and the overall organizational structure. An extensive examination of safety laws and regulations, Labor and Employment Issues for the Safety Professional provides a working knowledge of the impacts, requirements, and implications of safety professionals' actions and inactions as related to state and federal laws. It presents information on an issue-by-issue basis, delineating the basics of the issue, identifying the applicable law or regulation, and presenting possible solutions to achieve and maintain compliance while achieving the safety objective. The book covers conflicts between laws and regulations and includes case law and reference points. This text elucidates a number of laws within the labor, employment, and related areas which may impact safety professionals in the course of their daily activities. It supplies a working knowledge of the peripheral laws and regulations that impact safety functions, allowing them to avoid potential legal "issues" and possible legal liabilities for themselves as well as their organizations.

While a quick response can save you in a time of crisis, avoiding a crisis remains the best defense. When dealing with complex industrial systems, it has become increasingly obvious that preparedness requires a sophisticated understanding of human factors as they relate to the functional characteristics of socio-technology systems. Edited by industrial safety expert Erik Hollnagel and featuring commentary from leaders in the field, Safer Complex Industrial Environments: A Human Factors Approach examines the latest research on the contemporary human factors approach and methods currently in practice. Drawing on examples mainly from the nuclear industry, the book presents a contemporary view on human factors in complex industrial systems. The contributors contrast the traditional view of human factors as a liability with the contemporary view that recognizes human factor as also an asset without which the safe and efficient performance of complex industrial systems would be impossible. It describes how this view has developed in parallel to the increasing complexity and intractability of socio-technical systems and partly as a consequence of that. The book also demonstrates how this duality of the human factor can be reconciled by recognizing that the human and organizational functions that can be the cause of adverse events are also the very foundation for safety. Building on this, the book introduces theories and methods that can be used to describe human and collective performance in a complex socio-technical environment. It explores how contemporary human factors can be used to go beyond failure analysis to actively make complex industrial environments safer.

This book provides a methodology for analysing team tasks to identify the critical aspects of team performance that need to be trained and to determine appropriate training solutions to enable teams to operate efficiently, effectively and safely.

Risk is everywhere, in everything we do. Realizing this fact, we all must try to understand this "risk" and if possible to minimize it. This book expands the conversation beyond failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) techniques. While FMEA is indeed a powerful tool to forecast failures for both design and processes, it is missing methods for considering safety issues, catastrophic events, and their consequences. Focusing on risk, safety, and HAZOP as they relate to major catastrophic events, Introduction to Risk and Failures: Tools and Methodologies addresses the process and implementation as well as understanding the fundamentals of using a risk methodology in a given organization for evaluating major safety and/or catastrophic problems. The book identifies and evaluates five perspectives through which risk and uncertainty can be viewed and analyzed: individual and societal concerns, complexity in government regulations, patterns of employment, and polarization of approaches between large and small organizations. In addition to explaining what risk is and exploring how it should be understood, the author makes a distinction between risk and uncertainty. He elucidates more than 20 specific methodologies and/or tools to evaluate risk in a manner that is practical and proactive but not heavy on theory. He also includes samples of checklists and demonstrates the flow of analysis for any type of hazard. Written by an expert with more than 30 years of experience, the book provides from-the-trenches examples that demonstrate the theory in action. It introduces methodologies such as ETA, FTA, and others which traditionally have been used specifically in reliability endeavors and details how they can be used in risk assessment. Highly practical, it shows you how to minimize or eliminate risks and failures for any given project or in any given work environment.

In the almost ten years since the publication of the first edition of Motor Fleet Safety and Security Management, the availability of new methods of transportation has made travel faster, and consequently, safety and security have become more important and more complex. Businesses must now become proactive in their own security and planning for emergencies. This second edition of a bestselling resource provides a complete understanding of how to develop and manage a comprehensive motor fleet safety and instructional program. It presents the underlying concepts, basic techniques, and principles of motor fleet safety and security management. New, Revised, and Expanded Topics in the Second Edition: Elements of a fleet safety program Accident prevention Consideration for small-fleet driver selection, training, instruction, and supervision Vehicle inspection How to organize accident data Job safety analysis (JSA) meetings for commercial drivers Fleet transportation publicity School bus safety Shipping and storage of hazardous materials Security in transportation Model of a motor fleet transportation program designed to assist in the implementation of a program To achieve optimum safety, everyone involved in the transportation system should be adequately trained, supervised, and monitored. Proper data and incident reports must be maintained to identify trends and problem areas. Keeping the trademark style that made the previous edition so popular, the author addresses the critical steps for successful driver selection, training, instruction, and supervision. He provides you with the foundation you need to combat common problems and manage your motor fleet transportation system.