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Lesson 2: Technology Interface Design

Overview
Example
Quiz

 

Overview

The design of technology interfaces is a familiar area of human factors for most people. Interface design could include the design of a graphical user interface (GUI) for software, computers, and even cockpit displays and instrumentation. Here we will focus on display interface design for cockpits.

In an airplane cockpit, pilots conduct various tasks concurrently such as reading displays, conversing with ground control, scanning the horizon for other aircraft, operating controls, and steering the aircraft. With so many things competing for a pilot's attention, it's easy to understand why good interface design is critical.

Instruments and displays that are easy to read and operate contribute to the safe operation of the aircraft. As you will learn in the sections below, as display technology continues to improve, better displays become possible.

 

Interface Display Design

Let's briefly review the recent evolution of cockpit interface display design. Listed below are previous design challenges, followed by current solutions.

Analog Displays and Instrumentation

Image of Analog Cockpit Displays and Instrumentation

Key Points:

  • Early cockpit instrumentation and displays consisted primarily of analog dials and gauges.

  • Note the number of instruments and their cluttered arrangement.

  • Text sizes were fairly small and often difficult to read.

  • There was very little if any use of color and graphics.

  • Each instrument could only provide one level of information.

Digital Displays and Instrumentation

Image of Digital Displays and Instrumentation

Key Points:

  • Current cockpit instrumentation and displays are often digital LCD panels that can accommodate 3-D graphics.

  • Gauges may display either graphic or numerical read out.

  • Displays are capable of presenting several layers of information. As a result, fewer displays are needed and clutter is reduced.

  • Text sizes can be enlarged, increasing readability.

  • Color coding is now possible and may be used to distinguish flight plans from traffic information.

  • Increasing automation of these displays may also greatly improve the pilot's efficiency and accuracy, while relieving the pilot of additional tasks.

See next generation automated display design in the Reseach Example.
Go to Technology Interface Design Example page

Research Example
Curator: Gaye Graves
Responsible NASA Official: Patricia M. Jones