Abstract
Although automation in manufacturing is by no means novel, only recently have such manifestations as increasing use of robots and CAD/CAM (Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Assisted Manufacturing) involved human factors scientists/practitioners. This panel session suggests how these can contribute to industrial productivity by examining and recommending suitable divisions of labor between automation and workers and ways to improve interactions between them. For the most part these considerations have been sadly lacking in both technical and popular discussions about industrial robots. Five panelist will approach them from two perspectives: actual human factors experience in industrial automation, including robotics, and applicable experience in closely related areas, such as the use of teleoperators in hostile environments (nuclear and battlefield).
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