Designing cognitive support for Operator 5.0: servant or cyborg?

Fault detection and diagnosis is a crucial aspect in spacecraft operations and on-board software with respect to safety, reliability and performance. The success of a space mission depends on the adequate and timely system reaction to unexpected environmental changes and fault or failure of components or subsystems. Within this paper, case studies of current spacecraft applications are categorized with respect to the level of autonomy that is reached. The potential of further concepts that were not yet studied in the context of spacecraft fault detection, isolation and recovery (FDIR), but in industrial and aerospace applications are examined. As a result, the cognitive automation approach, developed by the Institute of Flight Systems of the Bundeswehr University Munchen, is identified as highly promising technology for enhancing spacecraft on-board autonomy: Context sensitive reactions in case of unexpected failure are enabled by knowledge about the current system and environmental state, system operational capabilities and the impact of faults and recovery actions on the system and system performance. A study that applies the cognitive automation concept to the power subsystem of an interplanetary spacecraft is proposed.

PurposeThis case study sets out to discuss the balance of operational and strategic perspectives on performance measurement in a large construction company.Design/methodology/approachIn interviews, managers at two middle organizational levels in the case company were asked to prioritize which criteria they found most important to direct their business. The results from these interviews were compiled in success maps in order to describe how the managers thought these criteria were interrelated.FindingsA gap was found between operational and strategic perspectives at the two organizational levels: lower management ranked criteria that corresponded to strategic objectives lower than did the middle management. One reason for this gap seems to be the lack of incentives for aligning with the strategic objectives. If there were no incentives, lower managers tended to prioritize operational criteria prior to strategic criteria.Practical implicationsThis study emphasizes the need to link strategic objectives to criteria that give incentives for lower management to comply with the strategic objectives, to formulate unambiguous strategies and to communicate these strategies clearly.Originality/valueIn large construction companies, measurement of effectiveness is particularly complicated since adjustment to local markets must be balanced with alignment with corporate strategies in order to benefit from the competitive advantages of a large organization. Managers in a large construction company have to combine operational and strategic perspectives in measurement and management. Little research has been done to investigate and understand this area and therefore this paper can make a useful contribution.

The arising of new technologies ranging from smartphones to social networks is constantly increasing interactions between people. In the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) community, adapting technology to human nature is the key concern of User-Centered Design (UCD). However, UCD tends to neglect the emerging social dimension of technology: users are consulted in the design process, but they do not have any direct involvement or creative control over the developed technological solutions. On the other hand, the collaborative and social nature of the design process is getting increasingly explicit in the Product Design community, where well-established participatory approaches are applied to involve stakeholders, designers, and end-users in the creative process of new products. In this paper, we first provide a deep analysis of the state of the art of participatory approaches in the research literature. Then, we investigate how their integration with UCD leads not only to empower the role of end-users as active collaborators of designers towards a more democratic crowd-based UCD process, but also to create innovation in the design process. We advocate that such innovation can be obtained by giving the right voice not only to the users who reach consensus in the design process but also to the marginals. We provide an explorative model, some experiments, and a sketch of the user interface to support our claim.

Purpose: This paper presents a theoretical framework for AI oversight and examines the key dimensions used by operational managers to define their oversight activities for AI applications.Design/methodology/approach: The research combines a theoretical and qualitative approach. The theoretical part analyzes and proposes a framework for studying AI oversight from an operational perspective, drawing on cybernetic and control theory and recent literature on human oversight. This framework is then compared and categorized with the perceptions of managers regarding AI management and oversight. The operational perspective views oversight not only as a safety mechanism but also as a governance mechanism that encompasses safety, ethical, and compliance requirements, as well as technical and business goals. Importantly, oversight is necessary regardless of the application's risk level.Findings: The paper offers a more operational definition and framework for oversight, combining theoretical concepts and practical insights from industry practitioners. The theoretical framework clarifies the recursive nature of oversight within organizational control loops. The practical categorization of oversight design dimensions identifies key factors influencing the selection of resources, methods, and tools for AI applications oversight.Research limitations/implications: The theoretical proposal is grounded in specific cybernetic and control theories, but other theoretical frameworks could be explored. The qualitative study provides a categorization of oversight dimensions, but each AI application and organization should adapt this framework to its specific needs.Practical implications: This paper aims to assist companies in designing effective AI oversight functions that align with legal, technical, and business requirements.Social implications: A meaningful and effective oversight of AI applications will enhance the trustworthiness of AI integration within organizations for all stakeholders, including employees, customers, investors and society at large.Originality/value: This paper contributes to the ongoing discussion on human oversight of AI, which has been heavily focused on legal aspects since the publication of the European Union’s AI Act. By adopting an operational perspective, the paper offers both conceptual and practical insights.

Budgeting is essential for planning, control, and performance evaluation, yet traditional methods are often slow, error-prone, and inflexible. This chapter explores how Robotic Process Automation (RPA) transforms budgeting by automating repetitive tasks like data collection, validation, and reporting. RPA improves accuracy, reduces cycle time, and enables real-time insights, enhancing strategic decision-making. A case study on a mining company illustrates tangible benefits, including reduced manual workload, improved forecasting, and enhanced collaboration. The chapter also addresses challenges such as integration costs, system compatibility, and workforce resistance. It emphasizes the need for curriculum reform, continuous upskilling, and effective change management. Looking forward, the chapter highlights future trends in cognitive automation, AI-driven forecasting, and blockchain, advocating a hybrid model that balances automation with human judgment for ethical, sustainable budgeting.

This research explores the design of mobile money value‐added services in Kenya that engage marginalized users during the design process. Building on past research that sets out principles for user centered design (UCD), and drawing upon evidence from three case studies, the research finds that system designers follow UCD principles, but decisions to involve users are largely born out of pragmatism, to increase the probability of acceptance of the system, whereas the users main concern were the associated costs, and there was (at least in the early stages) resistance to involvement. This resistance was borne out of a tension between the motivation of the system designers (which was largely non‐altruistic) and the motivation of the users who became involved in the projects through self‐interest or some coercion. The research concludes that system designers require greater appreciation of diversity in interests, asymmetric power and cross‐cultural differences when applying UCD methods. The research extends current knowledge with regard to design interventions in the development of mobile money applications in sub‐Saharan Africa and the recommendations formulated from this research provide practitioners with actionable knowledge to reflect on their current tools and techniques to ensure better localized design processes.

This paper discusses results from a research study in the design and implementation of information documents and products in the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). It presents a composite ethnographic and case study analysis of user-centred information design practices at the ATO from 2001-2005, and shows that the ATO has been an active proponent of user centred design practices in developing business information documents and products for an extended period of time, while also identifying potential opportunities to improve business simulation, design and product construction. The article highlights that user-centred design principles may have broad based application in both the public and private sectors.

This study presents a case study of the integration of usability evaluation into the development of task based information system prototypes in undergraduate software engineering course projects within a problem-based learning (PBL) approach. As part of the course, usability evaluation was integrated into the software development process, and the usability evaluation performance (UEP) of the projects was assessed in terms of the following criteria: effectiveness, efficiency and problem validity. It also analyzed the problem solution rate of the projects and their correlation between UEP criteria. Additionally, the study in-depth analyzed the students' final conclusions regarding the design process. The relationship between UEP criteria and the problem solving rate was examined using Spearman correlation analysis. In addition, final conclusions and problem solving behaviors were analyzed through document and thematic analysis techniques. The results supported that there is a significant correlation between usability evaluation criteria and problem solving rate. The main themes that emerged regarding usability problem solving behaviors were navigation design, error handling, database connection, algorithm design, search matching, system-user communication design and others. Final conclusions showed that project teams gained valuable insights into user-centered design, solved critical usability problems and improved their prototype design. It can be concluded that the integration of usability into software engineering education using the above approach contributes to students' understanding of user-centered interaction design.

The rapid advancement of AI technology has led to increasingly complex and opaque systems, creating a critical need for explainable AI (XAI) that enhances transparency and user trust. Despite extensive research on XAI methods and applications, the user-centered design (UCD) process for XAI remains fragmented and unclear. This systematic review analyzes 27 studies from 2020 to 2024 to develop a comprehensive framework for user-centered XAI system design (UCXAISD). We identify five key stages: contextual inquiry, explanation needs identification, XAI method selection, user interface design, and evaluation and refinement. Our framework aligns with traditional UCD processes while incorporating specialized elements for XAI, including user-centricity, transparency, and actionability. For each stage, we provide evidence-based guidelines derived from the literature. The framework serves as a blueprint for developing XAI systems that balance technical sophistication with user needs.

Policymakers and environmental organizations are increasingly implementing gamification because of its ability to stimulate playful learning and transform human attitudes and behavior. Although it has become a prominent development for climate change engagement, the literature does not adequately address how the underlying motivational systems depend upon user-centered design mechanisms. If gamification is to realize its potential for climate change engagement, it is crucial for designers to apply solid user-centered design principles, as suboptimal designs may do more harm than good. Therefore, we conducted a systematic literature review on gamification for climate change engagement to investigate the application of user-centered design and find key links between design choices and outcomes in 64 articles. We develop the findings into a user-centered design agenda and framework for game-based climate change engagement. This agenda includes design aspects–team multidisciplinarity, context dependence, user involvement, iterative testing, and design choice explication–and outcome aspects–value to users, game mechanics for learning, game content for learning, affective engagement, social engagement, changing real-world behavior, and using game data for research. The agenda is intended to inform gamification academics and practitioners aiming to design effective games for climate change engagement and its recommendations may apply to other complex issues.

This paper presents two case studies that suggest how to adapt Scrum for user-centered design (UCD) focused industrial projects and how to work with UCD in Scrum software development teams. The objective of the paper is to share insights gained from running such combined projects in industry in order to help others avoid some of the pitfalls associated with this way of working. There has been much published in this area within the research community. However, our work presents both perspectives: adapting a UCD way of working towards a Scrum way of working; and adapting Scrum for running projects from a UCD perspective. We explore the impact Scrum had on team members’ work-practices during a project life-cycle and what lessons were learned from our experiences.

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) within Pega’s Intelligent Process Automation (IPA) framework is fundamentally transforming enterprise workflow management. Traditional RPA, while effective in automating repetitive, rule-based tasks, lacks the adaptability and cognitive capabilities required for handling dynamic business processes. AI-enhanced RPA, on the other hand, leverages machine learning (ML), natural language processing (NLP), predictive analytics, and decision-making algorithms to enable self-learning automation systems that optimize workflows, reduce errors, and improve operational efficiency. This study conducts a comparative analysis between traditional RPA and AI-powered RPA within the Pega ecosystem, focusing on key performance indicators (KPIs) such as process execution time, accuracy, cost-effectiveness, scalability, and adaptability. By evaluating empirical data from real-world implementations, this research identifies the tangible benefits of AI-enhanced RPA in automating complex business operations across industries such as finance, healthcare, and e-commerce. The comparative assessment is structured around efficiency gains, error reduction, financial viability, and scalability, providing quantifiable insights into the transformative potential of AI-driven process automation. Using real-world case studies and industry benchmarks, this study demonstrates how AI-enabled automation in Pega improves workflow orchestration, predictive decision-making, and end-to-end automation of critical business functions. AI-powered bots can analyze data, predict process bottlenecks, automate exception handling, and enhance customer interactions, thereby surpassing the limitations of traditional RPA. The findings from this research emphasize the strategic advantages of AI-enhanced RPA in digital transformation efforts. Organizations that integrate AI-powered IPA within their automation strategies gain a competitive edge by achieving greater operational efficiency, reducing costs, and enabling scalable, intelligent automation solutions that adapt to changing business needs. This paper provides actionable recommendations for enterprises looking to leverage AI in Pega-driven automation frameworks, ensuring a seamless transition from rule-based automation to intelligent, self-optimizing workflows. Ultimately, the study concludes that AI-driven RPA in Pega is not just an incremental improvement over traditional RPA but represents a paradigm shift toward autonomous and cognitive automation, setting a new standard for enterprise-level process management.

—Thailand, as well as many other countries worldwide, is facing a shortage of medical staff. We propose a solution to improve medical services in rural areas: a robot teleoperation system that allow patients to consult with doctors from public hospitals, and for doctors to examine and make decisions about their required care. To develop such a system, we are following a user-centred design (UCD) process. Two research questions have been addressed: how should an effective robot teleoperation system be designed to support medical diagnosis and patient communication? And does the use of a social robot improve the social interaction and examination quality in a remote consultation? This paper discusses the overall UCD process, starting from requirement analysis with Thai end-users (finished), system design and development on Pepper robot (in-progress), and user-centred evaluation (future plan).

The technology of lubrication systems for aircrafts engines has seen significant development during the history of aeronautics and has progressed in parallel with the evolution of the engines themselves. Starting from the first, wetsump schemes derived from automotive applications, more complex systems and components have been introduced. The progressive increase of aeronautic engines' power and speed, as well as that of the maximum operative altitude of the aircraft, have increased the lubricant flow rate required to avoid severe mechanical issues that can cause dangerous conditions for the vehicle and its users. Currently, the main focus on the development of novel lubrication pumps is aimed at reducing the pumps' weight and envelope while maintaining, or possibly increasing, their reliability. The first two objective could be pursued by searching for novel pump types and/or increasing the pump speed in order to downsize its required capacity, but the low-pressure environment, typical of the lubrication circuits, over imposes a few, severe, limitations to avoid cavitation occurrence that decrease the effectiveness of this approach. The central aim of the presented research, performed within the program Greening the Propulsion, is to provide a theoretical framework to help in the development of a novel gerotor pump for the lubrication of aeronautic engines.The first step of the research involves the study of the state of the art of aeronautic engines' lubrication systems, providing particular care to the effect that any design choice and possible operational condition may have on the lubrication pump design. Hence, the state of the art for gerotor pumps is investigated; results of this study are used, along with catalogue comparisons, to build simplified sizing tools to perform a benchmarking activity involving gerotors and other low pressure pumps type. This activity, performed to position gerotor pumps in the aeronautic engine lubrication market, is then used as a starting point to highlight the weak points of gerotors traditional design and to propose some possible solutions to enhance the pumps performances. To study the outcomes of these modifications, a rigorous theoretical framework is required; sizing and modeling criteria, based on the theory of gearing and compressible fluids, are hence detailed and used to build an Automatic Design and Simulation Framework, able to automatically design, validate and simulate a novel gerotor pump given a minimum number of geometrical and physical input parameters. This design and simulation tool is then used to evaluate the performance boost provided by the proposed variations and to optimize the gears profiles by pairing it with a multiobjective algorithm based on evolutionary strategies. Another critical component of any lubrication system is the pressure relief valve used to avoid the occurrence of dangerous conditions for the pipes integrity. A side activity involving the study of a preliminary sizing tool for pressure relief valve is hence performed. A preliminary design framework is presented and discussed, highlighting the importance of the valve discharge coefficient. To study its dependence on the valve's geometry, a lengthy CFD simulation campaign is performed varying the poppet shape and the fluid Reynolds' number. Results are hence discussed and used inside the design framework.

<p>The advent of digital tools and technologies of modern times has provided architectural designers with the ability to create in complexities and volumes of an unprecedented scale. With the myriad of possibilities, the designer has become prone to the Paradox of Choice - the difficulty of making decisions in a field of mass-options. </p> <p>Mass-tailorisation aims to aid the decision-making process of the designer in a world of unprecedented possibilities, limited only by the practicalities of reality. This research develops a theoretical framework for mass-tailorisation systems that aid the designer in the decision-making process by strategically focusing on four stages of the decision-making process. </p> <p>The thesis investigates the theoretical framework of mass-tailorisation through several phases of case studies that critically assess the viability and the implications of the components that constitute the mass-tailorisation system. The need for mass-tailorisation, as well as the establishment of the system and the future potential of mass-tailorisation are addressed through these case studies. Thus, leading to an integrative theoretical framework on the validity of mass-tailorisation. </p> <p>The research also speculates on the possible role of the future designer as they navigate through the near-limitless possibilities of the architectural design process of modern times. Finally, the thesis concludes by discussing the specific importance of the Design-Fabrication-Assembly Digital Continuum and the pursuit for the Move 37 phenomenon in explaining how mass-tailorisation can improve the decision-making process of the designer during the design process.</p>