The Human Operator Simulator (HOS-IV)

Abstract

The continuing evolution of complex technology carries with it a host of problems involving the relationship between humans and systems. Designing a system involves a complex set of decisions balancing a multitude of constraints and criteria. A system designer is generally supplied with a set of mission goals and criteria, major system components, the expected environment, an initial operator/system function allocation, and a set of operator and system procedures. Using this information, the system designer must determine the ability of the operator/ system to accomplish mission goals and to establish if a particular design has the correct balance of system and operator responsibilities. Ideally, this evaluation process would occur in the early states of system design while it is possible to affect the design in a cost effective manner.