Citation

Hancock PA. Ergonomics 2019; 62(4): 479-495.

Affiliation

Minds in Technology, Machines in Thought (MIT2) Laboratory, Department of Psychology, and Institute for Simulation and Training , University of Central Florida , 4000 Central Florida Boulevard, Suite 301A , Orlando , FL , 32816 , USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/00140139.2018.1498136

PMID

30024303

Abstract

Differing forms of self-operating transportation are already among us and some have been in operation now for an extended period of time. From elevators and escalators to airport transit trams we already use many fully automatic systems. Now such technologies are very publicly and prominently penetrating into the on-road environment of everyday personal vehicle usage. The present paper raises and addresses a number of the specific and more general human factors/ergonomic issues associated with such an evolutionary step. One particular concern is that of identified responsibility when such systems fail to perform flawlessly. The ways in which this (r)evolution will impact the social and cultural fabric of affected societies is also considered. Further observations as to the vector of the future characteristics of these vehicular forms and how they and other autonomous systems will affect our world are examined. The very future of the human experience depends upon the ways in which such systems are designed, enacted, and integrated into everyday life and these are fundamentally ergonomic endeavours.

Language: en

Keywords

Automation; Autonomy; Driverless Vehicles; Future of Transportation