What Is a Human-Machine System?

Human-machine system refers to a whole system composed of two sub-systems of human and machine that interact and depend on each other in order to achieve a predetermined purpose. ^[1]

A human-machine system is a complex assembly with specific functions, consisting of three elements: human-machine-environment, which interact and depend on each other.

Human-the operator or user of the machine ^[3]

Human-machine systems are divided into simple and complex. Simple human-machine systems such as sawing wood with a carpenter's saw; complex ones such as flying an airplane. A complex human-machine system often contains many individual

The basic mode of a human-machine system consists of human subsystems, machine subsystems, and human-machine interfaces:

The human subsystem can be summarized as SOR (receptive stimulation-brain information processing-response);

The subsystem of the machine can be summarized as CMD (control device-machine operation-display device);

There is an information loop between humans and machines. Humans and machines have the nature of information transmission. Whether the system can work normally depends on whether the information transmission process can continue to be effective.

(1) Reception of information: humans use sensory organs and machines through sensory devices (such as various sensors) to complete.

(2) Information processing

(3) Information storage

(4) Executive function: There are generally two types of this function. One is the direct manipulation of the controller by the human or the control function of the machine itself, and the other is the transmission of instructions, that is, by means of sound and light signals. Send one link to another.

(5) Signal feedback

(6) Input and output ^[4]