The
Human Factors in Engineering...
and Why They Matter
with
Dr. Kim J. Vicente, P. Eng., University of Toronto
When designers ignore people, the result is products that are difficult
for people to use. Just think of all of those flashing 12:00's on the
VCRs in our homes.
Poorly designed systems exist because the vast majority of engineers
and scientists who design technology never get exposed to human factors
engineering during their university education.
Many of us just learn to live with the annoying consequences, attributing
them to the fact that we are not very adept at dealing with technology.
But in an operating theatre or airplane cockpit, the stakes become a lot
more serious. An engineering design that omits a human factor can mean
a matter of life or death.
Come and find out about the emerging new engineering discipline that
is dedicated to changing this situation and making technology a lot simpler
and safer for all of us.
Dr. Kim J. Vicente, P. Eng., is a professor of mechanical and industrial
engineering and of biomaterials and biomedical engineering at the University
of Toronto, and author of "Cognitive Work Analysis: Towards Safe,
Productive, and Healthy Computer-Based Work", published by Lawrence
Erlbaum Associates.
Simultaneous translation will be provided.
Co-Sponsors:
--the Speaker of the Senate, the Hon. Gildas Molgat
--the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Hon. Gilbert Parent
--Partnership Group for Science and Engineering (PAGSE)
--NSERC
DATE: Thursday, May 11, 2000 from 7:30 am - 9:00 am
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