Fuzzy sets for man-machine interaction

Abstract

A new type of experiment is'proposed to better understand the fuzzy behaviour of a human operator in a man-machine system. The published applications of fuzzy set theory to the control of a simple steam engine are used as a convenient example to illustrate how some of the current applications of fuzzy set theory may be modified to carry out this type of experiment. The rationale for this proposal is developed by reviewing studies of the classification of human height and applications of fuzzy set theory to handwritten character recognition and control system design. Based on this brief review, both the results to be expected from such an experiment and how they might be analyzed are discussed. A key result is that such experiments ought to provide a much better understanding of the operator's fuzzy algorithm for adapting his experience to the development of the fuzzy algorithm for the new task.