Title: Methodological Approach for the Design of a Complex Inclusive Human-Machine System,
Abstract: Modern industrial automatic machines and robotic cells are equipped with
highly complex human-machine interfaces (HMIs) that often prevent human
operators from an effective use of the automatic systems. In particular, this
applies to vulnerable users, such as those with low experience or education
level, the elderly and the disabled. To tackle this issue, it becomes necessary
to design user-oriented HMIs, which adapt to the capabilities and skills of
users, thus compensating their limitations and taking full advantage of their
knowledge. In this paper, we propose a methodological approach to the design of
complex adaptive human-machine systems that might be inclusive of all users, in
particular the vulnerable ones. The proposed approach takes into account both
the technical requirements and the requirements for ethical, legal and social
implications (ELSI) for the design of automatic systems. The technical
requirements derive from a thorough analysis of three use cases taken from the
European project INCLUSIVE. To achieve the ELSI requirements, the MEESTAR
approach is combined with the specific legal issues for occupational systems
and requirements of the target users.