Human Systems Integration Research Articles

Scientists and drivers in-the-loop, on-the-loop or out-of-the-loop? Holistic human systems integration of teleoperated vehicles

Abstract The article metaphorically transfers the idea of “in-the-loop”, “out-of-the-loop” and “on-the-loop” from direct control of a vehicle to the influence and control of scientists on the in- and out-of-the-loop problem, here of teleoperation of vehicles. The article is based on the findings of an interdisciplinary group of experts coordinated by the German Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt) on the research needs for teleoperation of vehicles, in particular of Cluster 2 on the subject of Human Systems Integration. Based on three use cases of teleoperation, questions are discussed regarding the extent to which science should develop from “out-of-the-loop” towards “on-the-loop” or even “in-the-loop”, and what opportunities and risks could be associated.

Live or Let Die: MILSTD 1472 Type Usability Checklists in an Agile Development World

Traditional Human System Integration (HSI) processes are at risk of being eliminated given the industry driven velocity and continuous delivery methods of Agile and Development to Operations Engineering. One such process at risk is usability standard checklists like MIL-STD 1472. The DoD Design Criteria Standard—Human Engineering, or MIL-STD 1472 is a military standard that provides guidelines for the ergonomic design of military systems and equipment. It is primarily focused on ensuring that military systems are designed to optimize human performance, safety, and comfort. However, it can be time-consuming to use given that it contains over 4,400 compliance items in its entirety. In an Agile DevOps environment, the typical delivery of products is 2 weeks with some software products boasting deployments every 11 min. Incorporation of usability and rigorous human factors checklists in the design of products using a DevOps environment is a challenge given the shorter timelines and smaller increments between product development and deployment combined with the expertise and hours needed to execute the checklists. The need for regression testing, the act of re-checking items to make sure new features have not created unforeseen usability issues, exacerbates the problem. Software quality testing for each release demands automatic methods to reduce the efforts of recursive testing. Industry standard methods in agile engineering utilize heuristics for quick turn low-cost usability inspections. This paper describes the derivation of a set of usability heuristics based on MIL-STD 1472 which can be used to identify potential human factors issues more quickly, with less cost, and reduced amount of expertise required. The paper also gives an example of a case study which incorporated automatic checking to support usability experts keeping pace with the high velocity pipelines of software development in an agile DevOps environment.

Building credibility for human systems integration in model‐based systems engineering

AbstractRobust and trusted digital human representations are necessary to successfully account for human considerations in model‐based systems engineering (MBSE). Multiple domains and modeling frameworks leverage verification, validation, and accreditation (VV&A) processes to characterize when and under what conditions a model is valid to establish credibility. A literature review was completed on mathematical, physics‐based, software development, discrete event simulation, agent‐based, system dynamics, and MBSE models with the goal of proposing a process for performing VV&A on digital engineering (DE) and MBSE models for sociotechnical systems. However, this research also revealed the need for a broader framework to characterize the risk associated with using these models for making high‐consequence decisions. While accomplishing the literature review, another approach to building credibility was identified that is used heavily in the financial industry, namely model risk management (MRM). This process is extended by leveraging MRM approaches from within the financial community to propose a framework for sociotechnical model users to characterize the risk of using MBSE models to make programmatic decisions. The primary contribution of this work is to document a meta‐analysis of model VV&A while proposing an alternative approach to characterizing and communicating credibility that was discovered during this analysis. This approach could be a viable option for ensuring the credibility of human systems integration in MBSE models.

HabSim-HMS: A Systems Testbed to Investigate Situational Awareness for Extraterrestrial Habitation

Deep-space habitation presents unique challenges in operating complex control-based systems in distant and disruptive environments far from Earth. The capability to handle unforeseen situations and manage system health is crucial for resilient operations in deep space. Trusted health management strategies operational on the International Space Station (ISS) heavily rely on ground control support. These strategies must adapt to cope with sizable communication delays imposed by the infrastructure limitations or light distances that separate ground control and the habitat. Alternative approaches that increase reliance on artificial intelligence-based onboard autonomy are constrained by limited onboard computing and risks associated with human-system integration. There is an increased need to study the design and architecture of the health management system (HMS) of such complex systems to address autonomy challenges for deep-space habitation. This paper presents a model-based HMS testbed developed at the Resilient Extra-Terrestrial Habitats Institute that is part of the HabSim, a system-of-systems simulator of a smart habitat. The testbed is designed to facilitate performance assessment of critical health management functions essential to enable fault-management autonomy, situational awareness, and interface-based mission control. In this paper, the HMS testbed is motivated and placed within HabSim, the architecture of its components is detailed, and the testbed features are demonstrated through an illustrative example. The lessons learned in developing this testbed that may be useful for others seeking to solve similar problems are also discussed.

Rendering Frankenstein's monsters? The emergence and impacts of human digital twins

AbstractHuman digital twins (HDTs) are set to revolutionise human–system integration and improve human capacities, productivity, and well‐being by including human characteristics in system design. Reflecting real‐life behaviours and emotional reactions, HDTs render virtual data‐driven models of people. Their presence in many fields—including office work, education, and healthcare—showcases their ability to advance diagnoses, workforce training, and individualised learning. However, the general HDTs acceptance hypothesis calls for a critical analysis of their ethical ramifications and social influence. Emphasising the need of social adaptations to maintain stability, structural functionalism provides a suited framework to examine the roles of HDTs inside social systems. Despite their obvious advantages, HDTs raise ethical questions. While addressing concerns about user acceptance and ethical norms, engineers, designers and the legal regulators, but also the users—by means of ‘owners’—must consider the substantial consequences of HDTs and their customisation. HDTs' duality, like a double‐edged sword, calls for deliberate usage and considerable thought to negotiate the changing terrain of human–machine interaction.

Vulnerabilities and Threats to AIS Security Systems

This research explores vulnerabilities and threats to Accounting Information Systems (AIS) and evaluates effective mitigation measures to address these issues. Using both qualitative and quantitative approaches, this research involved literature studies, surveys, expert interviews, and case analysis to identify and analyze the different types of vulnerabilities and threats faced by AIS. The results showed that human error, software flaws, and system integration complexity are the main sources of vulnerabilities in AIS. The most common threats are cyberattacks, insider threats, and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. The impact of these threats includes financial loss, reputational damage, and significant legal implications.Mitigation strategies identified include the development of robust security policies, the use of cutting-edge security technologies, and the conduct of regular audits and monitoring. The findings emphasize the importance of a layered approach to improving AIS security and reliability. This research provides an in-depth insight into how organizations can identify, evaluate and manage vulnerabilities and threats to their AIS, which is essential for maintaining the integrity, confidentiality and availability of accounting data in an increasingly complex digital age.

The Effect of Human Resource Information System (HRIS) Integration, Conflict Management, and Work Flexibility on Work-Life Balance in Banten Manufacturing Industry

Within the context of the manufacturing sector in Banten, this research explores the impact that the integration of Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS), conflict management, and work flexibility have on the work-life balance of employees operating in that sector. Through the use of a quantitative research methodology, data were gathered from a total of 160 samples by means of a structured questionnaire that utilized a Likert scale that ranged from 1 to 5. Through the utilization of Structural Equation Modeling-Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS 3), the data were examined in order to determine the links that exist between the variables. According to the findings, high-resolution information system (HRIS) integration considerably improves work-life balance by optimizing human resource operations and increasing employee access to information. Effective conflict management practices are shown to mitigate workplace tensions, further contributing to a better work-life balance. Additionally, work flexibility is found to be a crucial factor in allowing employees to manage their professional and personal responsibilities more effectively. The study underscores the importance of integrating advanced HR systems, adopting robust conflict management strategies, and promoting flexible work arrangements to enhance the work-life balance of employees in the manufacturing sector.

Defining and characterizing the operational context for human systems integration

AbstractMany efforts from multiple academic and industrial disciplines have studied the notion of context. The systems engineering and human systems integration fields, however, lack a generalized definition and characterization of context, in particular the operational context of complex sociotechnical systems. This paper reviews context definitions and builds a generalized definition of the operational context of complex sociotechnical systems. The objective is then to identify and extract context properties which are often implicit in the literature and do not necessarily appear in the definitions. However, eliciting them is helpful for understanding what context is made of, how it relates to complex sociotechnical systems comprising human and non‐human agents, and how an early understanding of the operational context can prove valuable to designing efficient and robust systems. Our analysis is followed by an example of how our definition and derived properties apply to the case study of the design of a remote and virtual air traffic control center.

Tailoring of NASA‐STD‐3001 to Lunar Gateway Program Requirements

AbstractThe Gateway Program must meet NASA's Agency‐level human rating requirements, which are intended to accommodate human capabilities and limitations while protecting the safety of the crew, and providing to the maximum extent practical, the capability to safely recover the crew from hazardous situations. Human systems integration represents a key human rating component of Moon to Mars systems to support the execution of Artemis missions, including compliance with mandatory standards for Health and Medical, Safety and Mission Assurance, and Engineering. The human system requirements, together with the human systems integration plan, medical operations requirements, and Gateway subsystem specifications, represent the flow‐down of NASA Health and Medical Standards (NASA‐STD‐3001, Volumes 1 and 2) into the Gateway system. This paper discusses how these documents and other human systems integration activities provide full consideration of human capabilities and limitations as part of the total system design trade space, serving as an example on how the human must be effectively integrated as part of the system in order to achieve mission success. At a bigger scale, the paper contributes to the application of systems engineering standards to cutting‐edge space exploration initiatives and to the dialogue on how systems engineering can continue to evolve to meet the needs of such ambitious projects.

A Method for Human Systems Integration Requirements within Model Based Systems Engineering

AbstractThe Department of Defense (DoD) employs broad human factors requirements across various applications, resulting in a universal application of the same standards to a multitude of DoD acquisition systems. In unconventional warfare, specifically within missions conducted by US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), operators face intensified workloads and domain‐specific challenges that current human factors considerations do not adequately address. The objective of this paper aims to introduce a novel framework, the Relational and Technological Capstone (RTC), designed to expand existing Human Systems Integration (HSI) requirements. The objective is to enhance the consideration of human factors in USSOCOM missions by addressing the unique challenges posed by intensified workloads and domain‐specific ontologies. The RTC employs a methodology‐driven approach utilizing both architectural and parametric diagrams. It integrates with Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) to improve the design of human‐system interactions, incorporating a Special Operations Task List and Performance Shaping Factors (PSFs) into aggregated parametrics. The results of this paper demonstrate the efficacy of RTC within MBSE, showcasing its value through improved design processes and as a foundation for new programs. The containment tree format aids in developing USSOCOM MBSE and opens possibilities for automation tools. Continual use of RTC contributes to the maturity of MBSE models and diagrams, fostering the evolution of a federation‐of‐models and Program of Record standards. This not only benefits subsequent SOCOM programs and projects but also facilitates cross‐cooperation with other nations in optimizing special operation acquisitions. The ultimate goal is to center the RTC around the operator, ensuring compatibility and optimization across cooperative nations' special operation acquisitions.

Future flight deck design: Developing an innovative touchscreen inceptor combined with the primary flight display

The touchscreen has the potential to optimize the space usage and efficiency of the flight deck. Currently, touchscreens can combine the input and output functions of different systems. However, it does not yet serve as an inceptor to replace the sidestick or control column for aircraft manoeuvres. This study aims to examine the potential of a touchscreen as a flight inceptor compared with a traditional sidestick and gamepad. This research recruited 72 participants who interacted with three inceptors for both an instrument landing with disturbance and without disturbance using the Future System Simulator. The findings demonstrated that pilot performance, system usability and pilots’ situation awareness of touchscreen inceptors were significantly inferior to those of traditional sidesticks and gamepads. Compared to the sidestick and gamepad, the touchscreen provided a poorer situation awareness with the highest supply and demand. In addition, the performance of all inceptors was significantly influenced by disturbance. There is still a long way to go for certification of a touchscreen as an inceptor on the future flight deck. This research showed that even though the touchscreen inceptor scored the lowest on both SUS and SART, the majority of pilots agreed that the touchscreen inceptor provided a better attentional supply in challenging disturbance circumstances, providing proof of concept for its possible inclusion in flight deck design. There is a potential that the emerging touchscreen as an inceptor may develop further along with human-system integration flight deck design.

PRODEC for human systems integration of increasingly autonomous systems

AbstractThe purpose of the PRODEC scenario‐based design method is the incremental cross‐fertilization and refinement of procedural scenarios and declarative configurations. It uses virtual prototypes of the developed systems (mainly life‐critical systems) to conduct human‐in‐the‐loop simulations (HITLSs). Based on human systems integration (HSI) principles and criteria, as well as expertise and experience in the domain at stake, this HSI approach grounded in virtual environments requires a clear definition of physical and cognitive tangibility metrics to assess the distance between virtual and tangible (grasp) dimensions of the system being developed when it is put to work. PRODEC considers human and machine systems described in terms of structures and functions incrementally designed using procedural scenarios (i.e., stories) in task and activity networks, which provide life to declarative configurations (i.e., system's functions and structures). This active modeling and simulation process enables the discovery of emergent structures and functions of the system being developed when it is virtually operated. PRODEC's use is illustrated in an example. We discuss the use of PRODEC and its results as to how they can be used with digital twins.

A human-system integration framework and its application for special vehicle interface design under typical human readiness levels

Life cycle Human System Integration (HSI) practices are crucial for optimizing human system performance, reducing costs, and ensuring safety. To address the limited HSI practices under typical Human Readiness Levels (HRLs), our study proposes an HSI theoretical framework and applies it to the design of human-machine interfaces (HMIs) for special vehicles. A stakeholder survey evaluates effectiveness of the framework and its application. Conclusions: (1) The framework, based on the input-process-output model, covers HSI processes and their support across HRLs. (2) The case study of HMI design in HRLs 4-6 identifies key processes and their specific support, contributing to the refinement of the framework. (3) The stakeholder survey underscores the importance and effectiveness of HSI processes and their support in the case study for life cycle human factor practices, suggesting areas for improvement in structuring and operability. The study offers insights into HSI practices under typical HRLs, merging theoretical and case study perspectives.

Human system integration: Managing risk in anesthesia.

Human system integration: Managing risk in anesthesia.

Potential application of industry 4.0 with lean six sigma in Indonesia's defense industry: A Comprehensive Study

Amidst a rapidly evolving global landscape and ever-advancing technology, Indonesia's defense industry, as a vital strategic sector, must foster innovation to enhance its potential and competitiveness. An effective approach is the amalgamation of Industry 4.0 with Lean Six Sigma. Industry 4.0 encompasses technology-driven industrial advancements, including IoT, big data, AI, robotics, and integrated automation. In contrast, Lean Six Sigma focuses on elevating process quality and efficiency. This study explores the applicability of integrating Industry 4.0 with Lean Six Sigma in Indonesia's defense industry, aiming to expedite production, optimize resource utilization, and elevate operational efficiency. Lean Six Sigma aids in reducing error rates and production costs. The research employs a literature study method with comprehensive analysis of the implementation of Industry 4.0 technology and Lean Six Sigma methodology. The findings reveal that this integration holds immense potential for the defense industry. Nevertheless, it encounters challenges such as technology and infrastructure limitations, cybersecurity concerns, financial investments, human resource readiness, regulatory compliance, and system integration complexities. Recommended solutions comprise infrastructure and technology enhancements, bolstering cybersecurity measures, government financing and support, human resource development, research and development initiatives, and robust project management and system integration. In conclusion, adopting Industry 4.0 with Lean Six Sigma promises strategic advantages for Indonesia's defense industry. Collaborative efforts and government backing shall steer the defense industry towards an innovative and fiercely competitive future. Future researchers can broaden the scope, delve into obstacle analysis, and assess the impact to foster the defense industry's optimal growth

The National Academies Board on Human-Systems Integration (BOHSI) Panel: Emerging trends in technology: Implications for future research in human-system interactions (HSI)

Future technological innovation will continue to transform the future of human-system interactions (HSI). While immersive sensors, smarter devices, and integrated systems will drive innovations in HSI, the fundamental elements of human information processing must still be considered to ensure the appropriate use of the technology in the context that the human operator will be using the technology. BOHSI has organized a panel that brings together prominent researchers to discuss emerging trends in technology and the implication for future research needs in domains where increasingly autonomous systems are becoming more accessible, but supervisory control by the human is still needed. The implications for the future of work and the safety and security of systems that are complex and continually evolving are also discussed).

Human Systems Integration, it’s time to take centre stage

Human Systems Integration, it’s time to take centre stage

An epistemological approach to human systems integration

Can we contribute to developing a consistent terminology and, to some extent, an acceptable ontology in the rapidly expanding field of human systems integration (HSI)? We often define HSI as a process and a product at the confluence of several areas, such as systems engineering, human factors and ergonomics, information technology, and specific sectors, such as aerospace, health, and energy. It is a broader transdisciplinary field in our increasingly complex human-machine world that focuses on integrating technology, organizations, and people within a complex sociotechnical system throughout its life cycle. Therefore, HSI is no longer a question of usability and user interface design once a complex machine is technologically developed, but also about considering people and organizations early on in the design and development processes. Indeed, rooted in industrial engineering research and operational worlds, HSI requires a deeper foundation based on an epistemological approach. This assertion is even more crucial today as technology has become predominantly digital, and, more specifically, the concept of the digital twin is emphasized because it has become essential to support model-based HSI. In other words, software-based assistant systems are replacing traditional tools. Therefore, appropriate social-cognitive (multi-agent) models and methods are helpful throughout the life cycle of contemporary sociotechnical designs to account for the complexity and tangibility of their human-centered context-sensitive architectures, combining procedural and declarative knowledge. By considering these reasons, this article provides a set of fundamental axioms, some theoretical abstractions, and valuable practical models, which are presented and illustrated through the lens of an evolutionary HSI ontology.

TOWARD A HUMAN SYSTEMS INTEGRATION APPROACH TO THE DESIGN AND OPERATION OF A REMOTE AND VIRTUAL AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTER

AbstractRemote and virtual centers have been studied for the past twenty years as an alternative to the traditional air traffic control tower environment. Designing such complex sociotechnical systems requires a systems engineering approach that appropriately integrates the human element as well as the technological and organizational components. In this paper, we identify the challenges of implementing this human-systems integration in the design of complex systems. We present the feedback we obtained from a series of semi-structured interviews with people involved in the development of military air traffic solutions. The participants' responses helped us establish methodological guidelines for designing and building a disruptive remote and virtual air traffic control center. We discuss how virtualized human- in-the-loop simulations in particular should help designers analyze user activity and be more flexible in system acquisition.

Risk trade-space analysis for safe human expeditions to Mars

We assessed the integrated safety, health, and performance risk to crews on long-duration missions, specifically to Mars. Using a systems approach rather than one focused on individual countermeasures, we examined the trade space around several such risks to identify high-potential risk mitigation strategies and characterize aspects of Mars mission architectures that could lower aggregated risk. Current Mars Design Reference missions would require durations well over two years and would increase crew exposure to radiation and microgravity well beyond ISS levels, likely resulting in significantly reduced performance beyond our current capability to mitigate that could jeopardize mission success. A “fast Mars transit” round-trip mission concept was studied using an innovative flight dynamics approach to quantify the minimum total mission energy required for a Mars transit with total mission duration less than 400 days. This approach holds promise for sending humans to Mars and returning them safely with acceptable, potentially mitigatable, exposure to microgravity and radiation using current or near-term technologies. The fast transit concept would also result in fewer time-driven vehicle failures and enable sustainable deployment of humans and infrastructure to Mars on a regular cadence, allowing steady exploration and colonization of Mars. Finally, we conclude that reliance on the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) mission operations paradigm – i.e., one of near-complete real-time dependence on experts at Mission Control to manage the combined state of the mission, vehicle, and crew – is high risk given the communication delays and limited resupply of any Mars mission, and this risk is not eliminated by the shorter missions durations of fast transit scenarios. Based on historical trends, it is highly likely that the crew will face a high-consequence problem of uncertain origin during Mars transit when ground support will be greatly reduced. While it may be possible to reduce anomaly rates through improved reliability analysis and testing, and to reduce anomaly impacts through added robustness, such mitigations address only known failure modes and known uncertainties. Therefore, a radical shift in the Human-Systems Integration Architecture (HSIA) that defines the operational paradigm, systems design, and human-systems interactions is required to improve the risk posture to an acceptable level regardless of mission duration.