Optimizing Human-machine Interaction for Enhanced Safety and Efficiency: a Study of Cognitive Load Reduction and Improved Abnormal Situation Management : Unleashing the Potential: Exploring Cognitive Load Reduction and Advanced Abnormal Situation Management in Human-Machine Interaction
Noorbakhsh, Seyediman (2025)
2025
Master's Programme in Computing Sciences and Electrical Engineering
Informaatioteknologian ja viestinnän tiedekunta - Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences
Hyväksymispäivämäärä
2025-05-22
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-202505226001
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-202505226001
Tiivistelmä
Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs) have played a vital role in machine operations, acting as the primary control system for managing processes and handling items through PLC controllers. However, traditional HMI designs have been plagued by numerous problems, including exces-sive and distracting equipment depiction, hard-to-read numbers and status information, incon-sistent process flow and navigation, poor color choices, a lack of hierarchical content, limited trend and status information, improper alarm depiction, and insufficient display methodologies for comparing process states to desired conditions. These flaws have hindered operator usability, even for experienced individuals with a comprehensive understanding of the system and its processes.
This master's thesis focuses on identifying and addressing design flaws in high-performance HMIs. Through a thorough investigation into HMI design fundamentals and best practices, it leads to the development of an interface demonstrating measurable enhancements in usability and optimal interactions.
The project's results align with a study conducted by the Abnormal Situation Management Consortium and Nova Chemicals. In this study, twenty-one experienced operators were subjected to identical malfunction and upset scenarios, comparing traditional graphics to those designed according to high-performance HMI principles. Utilizing a detailed simulation environment with advanced modeling capabilities, the study found that high-performance HMIs yielded notable improvements, including a 5x increase in abnormal situation detection, a 37% higher success rate in handling such situations, and a 41% reduction in task completion time.
This master's thesis contributes to the field of HMI design by addressing the limitations of traditional interfaces and introducing an improved HMI solution. These improvements highlight how applying user-centered design strategies can bridge the gap between traditional interface limitations and modern operational needs.
This master's thesis focuses on identifying and addressing design flaws in high-performance HMIs. Through a thorough investigation into HMI design fundamentals and best practices, it leads to the development of an interface demonstrating measurable enhancements in usability and optimal interactions.
The project's results align with a study conducted by the Abnormal Situation Management Consortium and Nova Chemicals. In this study, twenty-one experienced operators were subjected to identical malfunction and upset scenarios, comparing traditional graphics to those designed according to high-performance HMI principles. Utilizing a detailed simulation environment with advanced modeling capabilities, the study found that high-performance HMIs yielded notable improvements, including a 5x increase in abnormal situation detection, a 37% higher success rate in handling such situations, and a 41% reduction in task completion time.
This master's thesis contributes to the field of HMI design by addressing the limitations of traditional interfaces and introducing an improved HMI solution. These improvements highlight how applying user-centered design strategies can bridge the gap between traditional interface limitations and modern operational needs.