Ecological Interface Design
The quality of an interface between a human operator and a machine or vehicle, the so-called Human Machine Interface (HMI) determines to a large extend the efficiency, ease of use and the safety of the machine or vehicle.. A traditional example of HMI is the artificial horizon in the cockpit of an aircraft.
Ecological Interface Design (EID), which was developed by Vicente and Rasmussen at the beginning of the nineties is very important, and in fact the only theoretical framework for the design of HMI's. This theoretical framework makes it possible to increase the quality of HMI's. The underlying theory of EID is the so-called Ecological Psychology. Still most of today’s HMI's are designed on the basis of tradition and ‘common sense’.
Systematic application of EID however, has proved to result in non-conventional, revolutionary new HMI's which are superior in terms ease of operation and security. This can be achieved because EID based HMI’s are very intuitive to the user and allow to maintain a high level of Situation Awareness.
Related Projects
- Synthetic Vision System with Integrated Terrain Awareness
- Ecological Interface Design for Vessel Traffic Services
