The Evolution of Automation

Monday, 19 September 2022 - 14:00 - Monday, 19 September 2022 - 15:00 (Brussels)

Overview

Automation is at the same time a discipline, a technology and a practice. Control theories were developed for a long time to support automatic control, supervisory control and cognitive technology. Technology evolved from Watt’s regulator on steam machines, to autopilots and, more recently, software-intensive embedded systems on board aircraft. Human operators had to evolve from control to management of complex systems. We will examine this evolution from 20th century’s automation technology and resulting practices to those of the early 21st century. We will see how automation design evolved toward Industry 4.0 and now to the next step that can be denoted “Society 5.0”. More specifically, the systemic aspect of human-machine systems will be put forward. Several examples will be taken from aeronautics and other relevant industrial sectors.

Recordings are available on request. Please contact Tony Licu at antonio.licu@eurocontrol.int

Speaker(s)

Prof. Guy André Boy

Engineer and cognitive scientist - Corresponding Member of the International Academy of Astronautics, and Chair of the Aerospace Technical Committee of IEA (International Ergonomics Association).

Prof. Guy André Boy received his Masters and Doctorate degrees from the Ecole Nationale Supérieure de l'Aéronautique et de l'Espace (ISAE SUPAERO), his Professorship Habilitation (HDR) from Pierre and Marie Curie’s University (Paris VI), and his Full Professorship Qualifications in Computer Science and Psychology. Boy actively participated to the introduction of cognitive engineering in France and its development worldwide. He is the author of more than 200 articles and 14 books. He is a senior member of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) (Executive Vice Chair of ACM SIGCHI from 1995 to 1999), Corresponding Member of the International Academy of Astronautics, and Chair of the Aerospace Technical Committee of IEA (International Ergonomics Association). He held various positions in the past such as IPA Chief Scientist for Human Centered Design at NASA Kennedy Space Center, Adjunct Professor at the École Polytechnique in Paris, etc.

The Evolution of Automation