History and future of human-automation interaction

an article by Christian P. Janssen and Stella F. Donker (Utrecht University, the Netherlands), Duncan P. Brumby (University College London, UK) and Andrew L. Kun (University of New Hampshire, USA) published in International Journal of Human-Computer Studies Volume 131 (November 2019)

Highlights

• We review the history of human-automation interaction research in IJHCS.
• Automated systems are used by non-professional users, in more dynamic contexts.
• Given the expansion of the field, there is a continued need for HCI contributions.
• We discuss important future areas for human-automation interaction research.

Abstract

We review the history of human-automation interaction research, assess its current status and identify future directions.

We start by reviewing articles that were published on this topic in the International Journal of Human-Computer Studies during the last 50 years.

We find that over the years, automated systems have been used more frequently

1. in time-sensitive or safety-critical settings,
2. in embodied and situated systems, and
3. by non-professional users.

Looking to the future, there is a need for human-automation interaction research to focus on

1. issues of function and task allocation between humans and machines,
2. issues of trust, incorrect use, and confusion,
3. the balance between focus, divided attention and attention management,
4. the need for interdisciplinary approaches to cover breadth and depth,
5. regulation and explainability,
6. ethical and social dilemmas,
7. allowing a human and humane experience, and
8. radically different human-automation interaction.

In other words, and without the benefit of reading the whole article, it seems that little has changed except the frequency with which humans actually use automated systems.
Hey ho, back to the future anyone?

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