Integration of the Cognitive and Physical Aspects of the Human-Machine Interface

Abstract

Current approaches to human-machine interface design are reflective of the traditional dualistic perspective that separates the physical from cognitive characteristics of human functioning. With the development of flexible computing machines and new display technologies, this dualistic perspective can be replaced with one where cognitive and physical aspects of the interface are integrated through the unification of isomorphic structures. This paper reviews the nature of physical and cognitive interfaces and shows how they may be integrated in the design of human-machine systems in order to improve the compatibility between operator and machine.