A cognitive control unit (CCU) for automated assembly systems aims to simulate human information processing at a rule-based level of cognitive control. Focusing on the subtask of monitoring, a cognitive engineering approach for the design of the procedural knowledge base of the CCU is presented and a human-centered simulation model of assembly processes on the basis of the cognitive architecture SOAR is introduced. The overall objective is to design and develop the system to conform to operators' expectations. To identify human assembly strategies to be included in the CCU, an empirical study with n = 16 participants was conducted and validated by an independent investigation with n = 25 persons. Furthermore, simulation models incorporating certain subsets of production rules were developed and evaluated regarding their goodness of prediction of human assembly behavior. The results show that the rule sets have a significant effect on the predictive power. The highest prediction accuracy was obtained with all identified assembly rules integrated. C 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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Abstract-A novel approach to measure the self-generated complexity of human-machine interaction is presented. A complexity measure that relies solely on information-theoretic quantities is defined. An efficient estimation procedure for the complexity measure is introduced. The theoretical framework is validated by a study of human interaction with electronic map displays. Thirty experienced master mariners participated. The task was to search for multiple vessel symbols under time pressure. Samples from the visual scanpath, as well as manual responses, were acquired. The workloads due to time pressure, the number of symbol clusters on the display, and the map scenario were systematically varied. The results of an analysis of variance (ANOVA, α = 0.05) show a significant complexity decrease when the time pressure (or workload) is increased. The workload effect on the complexity of master mariners' visual scanpath was stronger than on their manual response. There was also a significant effect of the number of symbol clusters on the display: a display with two clusters showed a significantly higher search complexity for manual response than a nonclustered display.Index Terms-Human factors, information theory, manmachine system, user interfaces.

A quantitative complexity theory of human-computer interaction is presented and validated by means of laboratory experiments. Based on the seminal work of Grassberger in theoretical physics, a complexity measure is introduced. The measure is termed the Effective Measure Complexity and has three main advantages. First, it relies solely on information-theoretic quantities, which are intimately connected with the concept of complexity and not randomness. Second, it is model independent and can be estimated efficiently from data. Third, the estimates can be derived from behavioural patterns in terms of observable interaction events alone. Subjective ratings or psychophysiological measurements can be included but are not mandatory. In order to explain the theory, a simple and easy to generalise example in mobile human-computer interaction is presented. Furthermore, the external validity of the complexity measure is studied in laboratory experiments. The experimental task was to search for multiple targets on an electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS). ECDIS is an integral component of modern ship bridge concepts and therefore the experiments were carried out in a marine simulator. Thirty users participated. The platform motion (with or without motion) and the workplace illumination (800 lux or 30 lux) were varied systematically and the complexity effects were studied. The results show that the complexity of the visual search processes is significantly lower when the simulator is put in sea state characteristics and the users are facing straining motion forces. In addition, interaction complexity is significantly lowered when illuminance is reduced from the daylight level of 800 lux to the twilight level of 30 lux. Therefore, the complexity measure seems to be a valid for the quantitative assessment of human-computer interaction.

In case of undocumented machine failures on-site maintenance personnel can cooperate with a remote expert using telecommunication equipment. We present a new concept for a maintenance system which provides a synchronous shared visual workspace even when only limited bandwidth is available. A mechanic uses an Augmented Reality (AR) system which is connected to the Virtual Reality (VR) system of a remote expert. The expert interactively creates 3D instructions on his VR system that are displayed on a hand-held tablet computer of the mechanic. The mechanic considers these instructions during his maintenance work but can also interact with the live AR view to create spatial references for the expert. The system was evaluated by 18 experienced automobile mechanics. The maintenance task consisted of the disassembly of the camshaft housing of an internal combustion engine. The results show that participants completed more tasks and used less verbal instructions when using the VR system compared to a video system