ISSN: 2577-2953
Authors: Easa SM*
While automated vehicles are emerging around the world, many people are unsure what role, if any, ergonomics will play in this new technology. Will ergonomics still be necessary for automated vehicles? This article attempts to answer this question by reviewing key information on two aspects. First, the key elements of ergonomics in human-driven vehicles, including vehicle ergonomics, warehouse ergonomics, training and education, and research and profession, are described. Second, the characteristics of automated vehicles on highways and off highways (e.g. mining and agriculture) are discussed. These two aspects provide the insight needed to determine whether ergonomics are still necessary for automated vehicles and to determine the level of ergonomic requirements. The reader may be surprised to know that self-driving automated vehicles must have drivers, although some special-purpose automated vehicles will be driverless. The results indicate that self-driving automated vehicles have the same ergonomic requirements as human-driven vehicles and that their automated features warrant even more ergonomic research. The results also indicate that ergonomic applications are needed for emerging automated warehouses and off-highway automated vehicles.
Keywords: Transportation; Ergonomics; Automated Vehicles; Standards; Warehouses; Education; Training; Research
