1. DeFINE Workshop, Pisa, 25-26/11/2002 1/11 Cognitive Ergonomics Alberto Pasquini Deep Blue Srl

2. DeFINE Workshop, Pisa, 25-26/11/2002 2/11 Ergonomics Study of a work context to improve its health, safety and efficiency Usually associated with physical objects (ergonomic keyboard, ergonomic chairs) but, in reality, focusing on the overall design of the work context Ergo Nomos Work Natural law Ergonomics

3. DeFINE Workshop, Pisa, 25-26/11/2002 3/11 Focus on all cognitive aspects of ergonomics Studies cognition in working environments Focuses on analysing human activities and role played by artefacts (mainly through field studies) Aims at designing technologies, organizations and operative environments Cognitive ergonomics

4. DeFINE Workshop, Pisa, 25-26/11/2002 4/11 Human cognitive activity mediated by artefacts (rules, tools, instruments, representations) that are both internal and external to the mind writing, computer agenda bookmark Theory of Distributed Cognition (1)

5. DeFINE Workshop, Pisa, 25-26/11/2002 5/11 Theory of distributed cognition (2) The ability of the human mind in processing symbolic information is strongly bounded Complex reasoning requires the interaction with cognitive artefacts to overcome the limitations of the human mind Knowledge for human cognitive activities is not only in the brain but distributed among the brain and the cognitive artefacts required used (beyond traditional division between interior/exterior of an individual)

6. DeFINE Workshop, Pisa, 25-26/11/2002 6/11 Example of Distributed Cognition (1)

7. DeFINE Workshop, Pisa, 25-26/11/2002 7/11 Spaghetti Brie Tomatoes Biscuits Toothpaste Bread Bier Ham Parmesan Mozzarella Wine Face soap Example of Distributed Cognition (2)

8. DeFINE Workshop, Pisa, 25-26/11/2002 8/11 Toothpaste Ham Wine Spaghetti Brie Tomatoes Biscuits Bread Bier Parmesan Mozzarella Face soap Example of Distributed Cognition (3)

9. DeFINE Workshop, Pisa, 25-26/11/2002 9/11 Personal care: Toothpaste Face soap Cheese: Brie Parmesan Mozzarella Beverages: Bier Wine Example of Distributed Cognition (4)

10. DeFINE Workshop, Pisa, 25-26/11/2002 10/11 Distribution of knowledge and allocation of tasks Knowledge can be distributed in different ways (e.g. document or help on line) There is not a single exclusive combination of components to perform a specific activity The distribution of knowledge results in an implicit assignment of tasks to components Some distribution of knowledge and then some tasks allocation are more adequate (and redundant) than others to support the activity

11. DeFINE Workshop, Pisa, 25-26/11/2002 11/11 Contribution in: Understanding and modeling knowledge and task allocation Redundancy and fault tolerance Human errors Modeling (systems, human behavior, human machine interaction) Cognitive Ergonomics in DeFINE Interdisciplinary EoI with University of Siena and University of Edinburgh