Abstract
The paper outlines some of the implications for ergonomics of the current trend towards ‘automated factories’; ones in which human functions will be largely supervisory and minute-by-minute control will be by computers. These implications are discussed under the headings: locus of control and accountability; organization, staffing and training issues; decision aids; the transfer of knowledge among multiple users; and knowledge capture. It is clear that much of ergonomics knowledge is relevant to these matters; nevertheless there are areas where more research is required. These are outlined at the end of the paper.

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