Ergonomics

Focusing on the design of a public space, we propose a methodological contribution to integrate possible future users to studies in prospective ergonomics. Our objective is to establish a rigorous protocol for comparing two methods of projecting potential usage. First, a projection interview based on a virtual environment movie and second, a Guided Imaginary Projection interview. We sought to determine to what extent these two methods provide participants with the ability to live a 'quasi-experience' of the space. This 'quasi-experience' is measured by a questionnaire inspired by the concepts of presence and absorption and by the analysis of the embodiment level of the discourse produced during the interviews, from embodied to general discourse. The results show that while the two methods produce similar results in terms of the level of projection experience, the virtual environment movie projection produces significantly more general discourse.

In this commentary, we argue that the field of Ergonomics and Human Factors (EHF) has the tendency to present itself as a thriving and impactful science, while in reality, it is losing credibility. We assert that EHF science (1) has introduced terminology that is internally inconsistent and hardly predictive-valid, (2) has virtually no impact on industrial practice, which operates within frameworks of regulatory compliance and profit generation, (3) repeatedly employs the same approach of conducting lab experiments within unrealistic paradigms in order to complete deliverables, (4) suggests it is a cumulative science, but is neither a leader nor even an adopter of open-science initiatives that are characteristic of scientific progress and (5) is being assimilated by other disciplines as well as Big Tech. Recommendations are provided to reverse this trend, although we also express a certain resignation as our scientific discipline loses significance.

Unlabelled: Society faces a growing set of risks from advanced emerging technologies. While there has been discussion on some of these risks, a comprehensive overview does not exist, and it is not clear what methods are suited to identify future risks. This scoping review aimed to synthesise current knowledge regarding the risks associated with emerging technologies. The findings show that a diverse set of technologies and risks have been considered, with ten risk themes identified: risks to human health and wellbeing, sub-standard technology risks, legal and ethical risks, privacy and security risks, socioeconomic impacts, ecological and environmental risks, malicious use risks, geopolitical risks, technological unemployment risks, and existential threats. It is concluded that there is a need to expand the focus of prospective risk assessments to consider the organisational, sociotechnical and societal systems in which emerging technologies will be deployed. The development of a future technology risks classification scheme is also recommended. Practitioner statement: This scoping review provides practitioners with a comprehensive overview of the risks associated with future advanced technologies. This will support the proactive development of suitable controls, with the findings also signposting ergonomics methods that can be used to support future risk assessments.

Driving anger is a serious global issue that poses risks to road safety, thus necessitating the development of effective detection and intervention methods. This study investigated the feasibility of using smartphones to capture facial expressions to detect event-related driving anger. Sixty drivers completed the driving tasks in scenarios with and without multi-stage road events and were induced to angry and neutral states, respectively. Their physiological signals, facial expressions, and subjective data were collected. Four feature combinations and six machine learning algorithms were used to construct driving anger detection models. The model combining facial features and the XGBoost algorithm outperformed models using physiological features or other algorithms, achieving an accuracy of 87.04% and an F1-score of 85.06%. Eyes, mouth, and brows were identified as anger-sensitive facial areas. Additionally, incorporating individual characteristics into models further improved classification performance. This study provides a contactless and highly accessible approach for event-related driving anger detection.

This paper presents the developmental foundation of Activity-Centered Ergonomics (ACE) that has been shaped by both: (1) a critique of conceptions of work and of its organisation in relation to economic and political models of development, and (2) developmental approaches to understand and to act on activity and work situations at different levels (individual, collective, organisational, and territorial). To do so, we examine some key reference works for ACE over 75 years with regards to these two dimensions and the methods and developmental set ups proposed. We argue that ACE analytical and transformative goals give a considerable space to knowledge encounters and workers' activity. We conclude by briefly discussing some of the current ACE works seeking to expand research-action over time and level of action (geographical area and public policies), in order to address key societal issues, including sustainable work and development.

The increasing integration of smart products into society is noteworthy in the field of Prospective Ergonomics (PE), as they herald the emergence of novel products featuring yet-to-be-discovered interaction modalities. Literature highlights a lack of front-end prototyping approaches that transcend disciplinary skills and aid communication across diverse design fields, highly relevant in early-stage smart product development. This paper introduces an integrated, low-fidelity prototyping tool to enhance interdisciplinary communication and understanding of future products' interactive and environmental qualities. A survey provides preliminary validation of the integrated tool's format and content. Findings endorse the tool's structure and flexibility in supporting understanding and communication of interactive and environmental qualities of smart product concepts across a range of design disciplines. As such we advance the discourse on PE by envisioning a low-fidelity prototyping tool to create intermediary objects supporting design efforts towards future products and their new and emerging interaction modalities.

Prospective Ergonomics requires building a vision of the future, which can be achieved empirically (e.g. analysing unmet needs) and/or creatively (e.g. creating future needs). We develop an alternative way of imagining the future, through a model-driven approach. Based on several developmental models, we provide a global picture of possible future(s) emphasising higher-ordered motivations and values (e.g. meaningfulness, accomplishment). To implement them, we then present a model of human accomplishment reinterpreting the concept of ikigai in light of selected psychological theories (e.g. self-determination, eudaemonic well-being, mindfulness). Finally, we apply it to an Industry 5.0 case study named ikigai robotics: we designed an equipment for railway maintenance following a double design process - a functional design loop and a motivational design loop. The process proved inspirational and the results both original and promising, opening avenues for Prospective Ergonomics to develop a new approach for designing the future.

This position paper gives an overview of the field of Prospective Ergonomics (PE) for the design of future products, services, processes, and systems. It presents its definition, links with innovation, characteristics, origin, history, goal, supports, and methods to help people imagine the future. In recent years, PE has been rediscovered, actualised and repositioned to give it greater scope and visibility, and stimulate research, training and professional practice in ergonomics for the design of future things. PE is an ergonomic intervention mode, on a par with Corrective ergonomics and Design ergonomics, upstream of design projects, where the ergonomist is proactive in anticipating or constructing future user needs and in creating future artefacts. PE is supported by four main fields of study: Ergonomics, Prospective, Future-Oriented Cognition, and Creativity, which ensures it is guided by three key principles: human-centred, future-oriented, and focused on creativity for innovation. PE expands the scope of ergonomics by going beyond the design of interactions with artefacts and including the creation of these artefacts in the first place. This has major impacts on research, training, and professional practice in ergonomics because we need new knowledge to work efficiently on the future, training should be enhanced in prospective, innovation, and new product development, and the professional practice is enriched by a new set of activities. In the conclusion we propose future research directions to pursue the development of PE.

Evaluate the impact of a 6-month sit-stand desk (SSD) intervention on office workers’ regional musculoskeletal discomfort (MD) and overall post-work fatigue (PWF) compared to a control group. A two-arm (1:1) clustered randomised controlled trial including 38 participants (aged 24–60years, 77% women) assigned to intervention or control groups. The intervention, spanning 6 months, involved psychoeducation, motivational prompts, and SSD. The control group maintained standard working conditions. MD was assessed using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, and PWF with the Need for Recovery scale. ANCOVA was employed to compare groups, adjusting for covariates, with 5% significance. The intervention group reduced overall MD (p=0.018) and PWF (p=0.013), while the control group showed no changes. However, no time*group interactions were found (p > 0.05). A 6-month SSD intervention alleviated office workers’ MD and PWF, suggesting benefits from increasing standing time by at least 30minutes/day. Future investigations must explore individual heterogeneity in response to SSD. Trial registration: https://doi.org/10.17605/OsF.iO/JhGPW.

The interest in employing Human Factors (HF) in healthcare is increasing. There are very few papers that outline an approach to embedding the practical application of HF in healthcare and the lessons that can be learned. The SCReaM HF and Team Resource Management (TRM) programme is not only aimed at raising the awareness and understanding of the science of HF within healthcare, but also to embed its practical application to support staff improve their safety and wellbeing and that of their patients. The programme is divided into three strands: rolling training, HF Projects and HF Engineering. Each strand of the programme supports the use of HF by teaching and applying systems thinking methodology. The programme has been embedded into an NHS Trust and this paper provides a reflection on the approach used to help guide future attempts to integrate HF into an NHS trust.

This study explores e-scooter riders' risky behaviour and motivation based on survey, observation, and interview studies. 192 responses from an online survey showed that e-scooter riders' behaviours are categorised into errors, violations, defensive behaviour, and proactive safety behaviour. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in riding behaviour depending on riders' characteristics and usage patterns. Results from the observation and survey study showed a high frequency of risky behaviours such as not wearing a helmet, riding on the sidewalk against traffic flow, or riding while listening to music to be more representative. Interviews on motivation explained that those behaviours resulted from the trade-off riders found between risky behaviour and the benefits they gained regarding time or comfort. This study posits that the riders' behaviours are distinguished according to the riders' characteristics and usage patterns, as well as different motivational factors. Thus, various strategies should be applied to improve individuals' safety.