As defined by the dictionary, automation is “the technique of making an apparatus, a process or a system operate automatically.” In today’s times with modernisation, we can see an increase in the integration of automation in various industries. It has encompassed crucial elements, systems and job functions, becoming an indispensable part of our daily lives; assisting us in installation, integration, and maintenance to design, procurement, and management. From
robotics and expert systems to process measurement and control, from telemetry and communications to wireless application and systems integration, automation entails a broad range of technologies.
With the rise of automation, the human factor in technology also comes into play. Ergonomics is the scientific application of designing human-centred processes, eliminating the risk of injury due to work. Despite the machines taking on almost all the work, there is a need for human interaction with the systems. When companies fail to incorporate the human element in their strategies of the design process, the output is ineffective and unsatisfactory with increased error rates.
Automated systems are not always dependable and tend to err, it is then that humans have to engage in the error management process i.e. detecting, understanding, and correcting errors. These errors may be a few but they have severe consequences. An example of this can be the error in the navigation systems that can misdirect one from their route. These events call attention to the role that humans serve when they work with imperfect automation. If these
individuals had access to another source like a map they would not have been misdirected as they could have cross-checked and realised they were being sent on a wild-goose chase. Error management is crucial to building safe and reliable automation interactions.
Automation is created and executed with an objective focus on the technical aspects of sensors, actuators, and algorithms. These aspects often pose challenges to human operators that lead to system failures because of the technology-centred approach. Because automation makes it possible for one person to do the work of ten, the upshot of such failures can be disastrous.
The factors leading to these failures are complex, they surface because automation changes the structure of the task and its nature, as well as the extent and type of the feedback operators receive. We often fail to realise the potential of automation because of such challenges.
One reason why automation fails is that it changes the type and extent of the feedback the operator receives. For example, when you drive a car, you keep it at the centre of the lane by adjusting the steering wheel with visual and haptic feedback. But, upcoming technology will automate lane keeping, leaving you with the visual cues and removing the haptic cues, leading you to be ill-prepared in case of intervention if manual control is required.
Automation tends to relieve operators of labour intensive and error-prone tasks but it also changes the nature of tasks, and in turn, requires operators to learn new skills. They eliminate strenuous physical tasks and leave complex cognitive tasks that appear easy for us, leaving organisations to not give enough importance to training.
For example, the lack of knowledge of ship operators about new automotive technologies of radar and collision avoidance systems lead to accidents that can be avoided if proper training is given.
As operators adapt to automation, the shift from the direct controller to the supervisory controller leads to a behavioural change. This adaptation causes a new task structure. It can shift your safety standards and behaviour related to it as you adapt to the new capabilities of automation.
Errors have been a part of any technology since its inception. It is an ongoing human process to rectify these errors and have a system in place for their management. More so the focus has also been error prevention, a supplementary step for the former.
Error management consisted of three steps:
Detection involves the process of identifying something that has gone wrong. Explanation is understanding the underlying cause of the error and its nature. Correction is the process of modifying the existing plan or developing a new one as a countermeasure.
These steps are necessary for recovering from automation errors.
There is no doubt that automation has improved everyday tasks and has minimised human mistakes, but there are other critical issues that have been introduced because of automation.
We need to emphasise the importance of both human skills and automation. With more impeccable automation and technology, more risks are attributed to human error which can be handled with proper training. Humans need to continuously learn in case they have to intervene and act.
We need to embrace the automation revolution in order to work smarter and focus on customer satisfaction. Companies that have welcomed automation in their business activities have done so to allow employees to work more efficiently and safely. Humans still hold an edge over machines as they are better equipped to make unique and complex decisions in certain situations. Automation exists to replace the need for humans to do repetitive low level tasks so that they can concentrate on more value-added work that requires more skills.
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