Keywords

1 Introduction

According to the European Factories of the Future Research Association (EFFRA) Roadmap 2020, human-centricity will be a prerequisite for the factories of the future seeking to increase flexibility, agility and competitiveness in the face of new social challenges (e.g. demographics). Thus, future manufacturing enterprises will need to be proficient in assisting ageing, disabled and apprentice operators by using evolved information and communication technology capabilities in order to enhance their understanding and thus enable better execution of advanced manufacturing operations [1]. Importantly, this endeavour is likely to require the dynamic (re-)configuration of automation levels driven by the operator execution limitations (gaps) in advanced production management systems in order to enhance competitiveness and compensate for age-, disability-, and inexperience-related limitations of operators to increase their working capabilities.

In this paper, the authors contrast the Tayloristic paradigm of Balanced Automation Systems characterised by a selected mix of independent automated activities and human activities, having humans at subservient roles to machines and automation – (e.g. supervisors [2]), towards a human-automation symbiosis [3], or Next Generation Balanced Automation System – characterised by the cooperation of machines and automation with humans, and designed not to replace the skills and abilities of humans, but rather to assist humans in being more efficient [3].

The authors explore the bodies of knowledge of intelligent (smart) automation systems [4] and the Enterprise Architecture discipline [5, 6] to propose a Human-Centred Reference Architecture for engineering the Next Generation Balanced Automation Systems, featuring adaptive automation [7].

2 Current Efforts to Evolve Balanced Automation Systems

The basic principle leading to the envisioned Next Generation Balanced Automation System is human-centricity, meaning that “humans should never be subservient to machines and automation, but machines and automation should be subservient to humans” [2].

According to Tzafestas [3], the human-automation symbiosis necessary to achieve sustainable development in human society can only be secured by the use of intelligent (smart) automation systems and interfaces, where the assumed ‘intelligence’ allows inclusion of the explicit representation of human goals and plans and thus constitutes the basis of human-machine interaction. Hence, human-centred design should go beyond the traditional human factors that merely focus on helping operators manage their workload in a healthy and safe manner, to a higher humanistic level such as job inclusion and satisfaction.

Furthermore, according to Hancock et al. [8] the idea of having machines and automation adapt to the cognitive and physical demands of humans in a momentary and dynamic manner (adaptive automation) – is one of the most important ideas in the history of human-automation interaction research towards social sustainabilityFootnote 1 [8, 9]. In this sense, adaptive automation aims to optimise cooperation and to efficiently allocate labour (cognitive and physical) and distribute tasks between the automated part and the humans in the system [10]; importantly, this paradigm also allows the user and/or the machines to modify the level of automation by shifting the control of specific functions whenever predefined conditions are met [11].

Adaptive automation will help improve a manufacturing system performance in a sustainable way by providing different types of automation solutions ranging from pure manual to fully automaticFootnote 2 [12] according to human-centred automation criteriaFootnote 3 [13], thus making it possible to rely on humans and automation to jointly achieve production objectives. Essentially, assistance is to be provided in an adaptive and dynamic manner and only when required (i.e. to help an operator in difficulty to perform his/her tasks according to the expected quality of performance). Nevertheless, the functional state of the operator is to be continuously monitored in order to provide the assistance (aiding) only when necessary and in an unobtrusive manner, i.e. without interfering with the operator’s cognitive and physical resources [8]. Thus, one can use advanced trained classifiers [14] relying on psycho-physiological measures (neuro-ergonomics) in order to determine when an operator actually requires assistance and subsequently to prompt the advanced manufacturing system to provide an appropriate type and level of automation facilitating optimal operator performance.

Hence, the main envisaged goals of adaptive automation are to prevent errors and to reduce out-of-the-loop performance by preserving an adequate level of situation awareness [15] and mental workload, while providing a crucial perception of empowerment materialised into an appropriate level of freedom for the operator [16].

3 Towards a Human-Centred Automation Reference Architecture

Tzafestas [3] argues that the design and engineering of cooperation between human and machine or automation system must start from the very beginning and permeate all lifecycle phases of the system. Consequently, human-automation symbiosis engineering projects that design such systems must also implement processes that observe the human-centricity principle, in the context of their own lifecycle.

It is hereby argued by the authors that an optimal way to integrate the lifecycle and human aspects in a human-centred automation reference architecture is by involving the Enterprise Architecture (EA) body of knowledge. For the purpose of this work, authors adopt the mainstream definition of EA, seen as a holistic change management paradigm that bridges management and engineering best practices, providing the “[…] key requirements, principles and models that describe the enterprise’s future state […] EA comprises people, processes, information and technology of the enterprise and their relationships to one another and to the external environment” [17]. Thus, EA considers the socio-technical aspect of systems [18], seen as composed of commitments assumed by voluntaristic people [19] in a complex organisational, political and behavioural context [20, 21]. Therefore, the authors argue that EA-based artefacts such as reference frameworks are capable to provide comprehensive ‘shopping lists’ of potentially applicable aspects and at the same time integrate all necessary viewpoints (as determined by the stakeholders for the project at hand) in a lifecycle-based set of models ensuring the consistency and sustainability of complex projects (with human-automation symbiosis engineering as a prime example).

In line with this stance, the authors propose the adoption of the Purdue Enterprise Reference Architecture (PERA) [5] and ISO14258 [6] (which places the PERA concepts within a conceptual framework enabling coverage and completeness assessment) as a starting point in building a human-centred automation reference architecture. PERA incorporates an explicit representation of the human role in any type of system and importantly, it also shows the extent of automation, defined as “the absolute extent of pure technologies in their capability to actually automate the tasks and functions of the […] system” [5, 22]. PERA also shows the relationship between the level of automation (of both the control and information systems and the production/service systems), and its effect on the human and organisational element of the enterprise [5].

In the following, the PERA lifecycle architecture (see Fig. 1) will be used in order to reflect a ‘master plan’ [5, 22] outlining the specifications of a human-automation symbiosis engineering project. The sample business entity selected for this purpose is a typical factory production line.

Fig. 1.
figure 1

The Purdue Enterprise Reference Architecture (PERA) [Complete set of lifecycle phases shown on right, current research scope on left]

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3.1 Identification Phase

At this phase, the architect (meaning a stakeholders group, including the operators) conducts the typical feasibility (e.g. economic and socio-technical) and SWOT studies at the production line in question in order to identify potential gains and benefits balanced against costs and risks presented by including the proposed workstation(s) in the human-centric automation engineering program.

3.2 Concept Definition Phase

  • The Mission is to design and engineer a human-centred production system [23] based on a human-automation symbiosis paradigm that allows operators to feel empowered and in control of their workstation, while also fostering the optimal use of human competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and behaviours). The system is also to compensate for operators’ limitations, thus ensuring a socially sustainable working environment without compromising production objectives.

  • The Vision is to provide adaptive balanced automation systems that comply with mainstream models of human-centred production systems [23] and factories [24].

  • Values: Ergonomics, Human Factor, Occupational Health, Safety, Inclusiveness.

  • Strategy: To develop a master plan featuring adaptive automation in order to achieve human-automation symbiosis in the workstations of a production system.

3.3 Requirements Definition Phase

Special attention must be paid to human-automation interaction requirements [13, 28]:

Bailey’s [26] function allocation catalogue provides three human-centred strategies: humanized allocation (priority to the operator over the machine), flexible allocation (according to values, needs and interests) and allocation by users (operator chooses according to conditions), in order to support decision-making from the point of view of the ability of humans to perform.

According to Inagaki [27], in adaptive automation, functions (tasks) can be shared or traded between humans and machines in response to changes in situations or human performance. There are three classes of automation invocation strategies: critical-event, measurement-based and modelling-based.

3.4 Architectural Design Phase

The operations involved in a project or production line can be classified according to their purpose into mission fulfilment tasks and information management and control tasks; humans (including system operators) are inherently involved in all these operations for technological, economic and social reasons.

According to Inagaki’s [27] adaptive automation strategies, within the critical-event strategy, functions’ allocations change when specific events (called critical-events) occur, e.g. in the human-automation symbiosis. Allocation of functions would not be altered if the critical events did not occur during the human-machine system operation; in this sense, function allocation within a critical-event strategy is adaptive. In measurement-based strategies, functions’ allocations are dynamic between operators and machines so that the momentary operator workload (based on psycho-physiological measures) can be regulated around an optimal level. In modelling-based strategies, functions’ allocations are based on operator performance models (intent inferencing models, optimal (mathematical) models or resource models) that can be used to estimate current and predicted operator state and to infer whether workload is excessive or not.

The ultimate aim of human-automation symbiosis is the achievement of adaptive automation across all workstations of a human-centred production system in order to allow a dynamic and seamless transition of functions (tasks) allocation between humans and machines that optimally leverages human skills to provide inclusiveness and job satisfaction while also achieving production objectives.

4 Human-Automation Symbiosis Scenarios

In contrast with the traditional view of automation, adaptive automation is designed to anticipate changes under active control of an operator while maintaining precise control of all background variables not currently of interest [10]; thus, dynamic allocation of task control [25–27] (in whole or in parts) crossing over various types and levels of automation should be considered to exist in a continuum between the manual and fully automated operational boundaries [11]. There is growing evidence pointing that beyond thinking of adaptive systems as co-workers, humans are increasingly expecting them to display human behaviour. Consequently, adaptive automation ventures into potentially uncharted territories, featuring new challenges for both users and designers that go beyond the traditional ideas of human-computer interaction and system design [29].

In the following sub-sections, the authors introduce three scenarios illustrating the way adaptive automation can help achieve human-automation symbiosis in the context of human-centred production systems [23] and factory models [24]. Naturally, the scenarios presented make use of the adaptive automation aspects structured in Sect. 3 using PERA, such as shared and traded control principles, flexible task allocation strategies, including levels of automation and function allocation decision and hybrid automation invocation strategies.

In relation to the latter aspect, critical-event function allocation should apply to all scenarios, while measurement-based and modelling-based strategies application may vary in their applicability. This is because the critical-event strategy is aimed to take care of the operator health and safety, as well as of the production objectives. Thus, a critical-event emergency logic involves automation invocation without human involvement e.g. if the operator violates occupation health and safety regulations. A critical-event executive logic invokes the sub-processes leading up to the decision to activate automation, with only the final decision requiring the human’s approval, e.g. in case of a drop in performance. Finally, a critical-event automated display logic allows all non-critical display findings to be automated in preparation for a particular event (e.g. troubleshooting), so that the human can concentrate on the most important tasks to fix the critical event problem(s).

4.1 Senior Operators (Aging Challenge)

In this case, adaptive automation can help a senior operator in a twofold manner: either by increasing automation to compensate for ageing-related limitations and thus help keep with the physical and cognitive quality performance of the job, or by reducing the level of automation, on request, in order to provide the senior operator with a ‘craftsman’ experience and increase the level of job satisfaction. Furthermore, the operator may influence the functions allocation within the measurement-based strategy (e.g. by sharing and trading control) outside the ‘optimal’ level if this action does not compromise personal health and safety and the production objectives. Flexibility in functions allocation is allowed, but at the same time workload will be monitored in real-time in case of physical or mental over-stress (critical-event), so automation can take over. The modelling-based function allocation strategy (utilising models to estimate current and predicted operator state) has a very limited role in this scenario (if at all present) as the focus should be on recreating the craftsman experience or compensating for ageing-related limitations. In addition, by collecting senior operators’ knowledge and experience in a particular task, the system could improve the learning curve of new operators by providing adaptive automated expert help [30], as also shown in Sub-Sect. 4.3.

4.2 Operator with a Disability (Inclusiveness Challenge)

Adaptive physical and cognitive automation can assist an operator with a disability to be able to perform ‘normal’ tasks (i.e. suitable for workers with no-disabilities). Modelling-based function allocations should be prevalent, based on models obtained from regular disability degree assessments, in order to allow the proper aiding and freedom of automation levels. Measurement-based function allocation could be used to fine-tune the level of automation based on the disabled operator condition.

4.3 Apprentice Operator (Learning Curve Challenge)

In this case, apprentice operators can learn new routines with (mainly cognitive) automation assistance. Measurement-based function allocation would play a major role here; as the operator learns and performs operations faster and with fewer errors, the system can gradually surrender automated tasks to the human side. Modelling-based strategies could also be used to achieve stability for specific periods of time (e.g. supporting regular performance reviews).

4.4 Summary of the Scenarios

It must be noted that scenarios such as those shown above vary in content depending on the specific application and may also have overlapping areas, depending on the particular lifecycle phase that the context system finds itself currently in. For example, the necessity to learn new tasks, typical to scenario 4.3 during Operation phase, can also manifest itself in scenarios 4.1 and 4.2, e.g. during Obsolesce and Decommissioning phases when humans may need to be trained in order to be re-assigned, or during Manifestation (Implementation) phase when design changes bringing new functionality for the system require new operator competencies.

5 Conclusions and Further Work

The paper has presented the use of modelling artefacts provided by an Enterprise Reference Architecture in order to guide and structure the efforts to define a Human-Centred Reference Architecture for Next Generation Balanced Automation Systems. After populating the areas deemed to be the most relevant to human-automation symbiosis, the paper has briefly illustrated the practical use of these aspects in several typical scenarios.

More research is required in order to delve deeper into the structured aspects provided by PERA, possibly by using other reference architectures that further subdivide these aspects and/or represent them orthogonally in relation to other aspects (e.g. Function, Information, Organisation, Resources, Risk, Economical, Hardware, Software etc. – see ISO15704 Annex A: GERAM [31]). This would provide more detailed guidance as to the available viewpoints and areas that may need to be addressed in specific adaptive automation projects, so as to advance the work towards the creation of a truly human-centred factory model.

This research work has been driven by EFFRA (industrial association) Roadmap 2020 that calls for human-centricity in the factories of the future.