As noted above, new technology
allows combination, integration, and simplification of displays compared to the
intolerable plethora of separate instruments in older aircraft cockpits and
plant control rooms. The computer has taken over more and more functions from
the human operator. Potentially these changes make the operator’s task easier.
However, it also allows for much more information to be presented, more
extensive advice to be given, etc.
These advances have elevated the
stature of the human operator from providing both physical energy and control,
to providing only continuous control, to finally being a supervisor or a
robotic vehicle or system. Expert systems can now answer the operator’s
questions, much as does a human consultant, or whisper suggestions in his ear
even if he doesn’t request them. These changes seem to add many cognitive functions
that were not present at an earlier time. They make the operator into a monitor
of the automation, who is supposed to step in when required to set things
straight. Unfortunately, people are not always reliable monitors and
interveners.
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