Human-Centered Cyber-Physical Systems

A special issue of Technologies (ISSN 2227-7080). This special issue belongs to the section "Information and Communication Technologies".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 April 2023) | Viewed by 26049

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
Interests: Cyber–Physical Systems; interoperability; tool integration; data analytics; data visualisations; visual analytics
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Guest Editor
Distributed Systems Group, Department of Computer Science and Applied Cognitive Science, Faculty of Engineering, University Duisburg-Essen, 47057 Duisburg, Germany
Interests: cyber-physical systems; cloud computing; security and privacy in distributed systems; system modeling and domain-specific languages for distributed and embedded systems; context-aware computing; AI-based context recognition; pervasive computing; human-centered AI

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Guest Editor
Department of Informatics, University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo, Norway
Interests: digital transformation; technological innovation; human-centered design; systems thinking; complex systems

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Guest Editor
Centre for Autonomous and Cyberphysical Systems, Cranfield University, Cranfield MK43 0AL, UK
Interests: unmanned aircraft systems; decision making on multi-agent systems; data-centric guidance and control; swarm
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cyber-physical systems exist everywhere in different sizes, with different functionalities and capabilities. Some examples can be listed as collaborative robots, smart cities, industry 4.0 applications, autonomous systems (vehicles, drones), intelligent transport systems, and so on. These systems are not only pushing the limits of traditional engineering practices but also providing new opportunities to solve the most important problems of humanity.

Advancements in data analytics, artificial intelligence, increasing computation and sensing capabilities, interoperability improvements through cloud solutions, and similar advancements in technology promise to unlock the considerable potential of future cyber-physical systems.

In this call, we are looking for cyber-physical systems’ architectures, applications, methodologies, implementations, theoretical and conceptual frameworks, case studies and research finding which primarily focuses on human needs, social implications, and sustainability. These include addressing climate change, providing intelligent transportation solutions, improving issues of health and public safety, supporting the transition to renewable energy resources, planning for smart cities and smart villages, and tackling limited resources for better sustainability, inclusivity, equality, and mobility. We welcome authors to present new techniques, methodologies, frameworks, methods, case studies and research directions for the unsolved issues related to Human-centered Cyber-physical Systems. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to the theory and the applications of cyber-physical systems related to the keywords listed below.

Dr. Didem Gürdür
Prof. Dr. Torben Weis
Dr. Yangyang Zhao
Prof. Dr. Antonios Tsourdos
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0/Society 5.0
  • critical analyses of human technology integration
  • design and implementations sustainable systems of systems
  • design and implementations of trustworthy autonomous systems
  • multidisciplinary approaches for human-machine/robot/computer interactions
  • data and artificial intelligence supporting human-centered design
  • human-centred design for interoperability/sustainability/complexity

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 1022 KiB  
Article
Complexity of Smart Home Setups: A Qualitative User Study on Smart Home Assistance and Implications on Technical Requirements
by Eileen Becks, Peter Zdankin, Viktor Matkovic and Torben Weis
Technologies 2023, 11(1), 9; https://doi.org/10.3390/technologies11010009 - 3 Jan 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3093
Abstract
Setup and management of smart home systems is a complex task, and thus challenging for technically inexperienced users. We conducted a qualitative user study to evaluate whether an assistance system could empower users to make better and informed decisions regarding the selection of [...] Read more.
Setup and management of smart home systems is a complex task, and thus challenging for technically inexperienced users. We conducted a qualitative user study to evaluate whether an assistance system could empower users to make better and informed decisions regarding the selection of devices, their interoperability, the resulting set of features and their price. A group of 20 participants used our assistance app on a smartphone to configure a smart home while optimizing for features, interoperability, and the price-performance ratio. The results of our user study show that our assistance app can ease the problem of selecting useful devices and at the same time users become aware of new features resulting from the interoperation of selected devices. Furthermore, the assistance app can counteract the inherent interoperability problem between devices of different vendors or platforms. Finally, users are not only interested in individual device prices. They want to learn the cost of a certain feature set, including the cost of all devices necessary to realize this feature. Interestingly, none of the current smart home systems on the market offer a comparable assistance mechanism. Third-party solutions are not available either, because an assistance app requires meta data about features, interoperability, and usage of devices. This meta data is currently not available via APIs in state-of-the-art smart home systems and marketplaces. Therefore, we present a smart home architecture resulting from our research that can, among other benefits, provide the necessary meta data. Our research indicates that commercial smart home systems should invest more effort in user assistance to gain widespread adoption among technically inexperienced users. This in turn requires substantial changes to the meta data management in smart homes, because otherwise these assistance systems cannot be realized. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human-Centered Cyber-Physical Systems)
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36 pages, 9155 KiB  
Article
Increasing System Reliability by Applying Conceptual Modeling and Data Analysis—A Case Study: An Automated Parking System
by Haytham B. Ali, Gerrit Muller, Fahim A. Salim, Kristin Falk and Serkan Güldal
Technologies 2023, 11(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/technologies11010007 - 28 Dec 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2772
Abstract
In complex sociotechnical research, companies aim to utilize data and digitalization to increase a system’s reliability and to minimize a system’s failures. This study exemplifies the use of conceptual modeling and data analysis to increase a system’s reliability by studying a case study [...] Read more.
In complex sociotechnical research, companies aim to utilize data and digitalization to increase a system’s reliability and to minimize a system’s failures. This study exemplifies the use of conceptual modeling and data analysis to increase a system’s reliability by studying a case study for a medium-sized company. The company delivers an Automated Parking System (APS). We identified, collected, and analyzed internal and external data within this context. Internal data consist of failure data from maintenance, whereas external data include environmental data, mainly weather data. Data analyses transformed the collected data into information, where conceptual modeling facilitates the understanding of information by transforming it further into knowledge. We find that the combination of conceptual modeling and data analysis aids in exploring and understanding a system’s reliability. This understanding enables a company to enhance its product-development process. Conceptual modeling and data analyses guide and support each other in an iterative and recursive manner, and they both complement each other. Conceptual modeling also facilitates communication and understanding. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human-Centered Cyber-Physical Systems)
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23 pages, 5762 KiB  
Article
A Conceptual Framework for Data Sensemaking in Product Development—A Case Study
by Tommy Langen, Haytham B. Ali and Kristin Falk
Technologies 2023, 11(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/technologies11010004 - 22 Dec 2022
Viewed by 2948
Abstract
The industry acknowledges the value of using data and digitalization approaches to improve their systems. However, companies struggle to use data effectively in product development. This paper presents a conceptual framework for Data Sensemaking in Product Development, exemplified through a case study of [...] Read more.
The industry acknowledges the value of using data and digitalization approaches to improve their systems. However, companies struggle to use data effectively in product development. This paper presents a conceptual framework for Data Sensemaking in Product Development, exemplified through a case study of an Automated Parking System. The work is grounded in systems engineering, human centered-design, and data science theory. The resulting framework applies to practitioners and researchers in the early phase of product development. The framework combines conceptual models and data analytics, facilitating the range from human judgment and decision-making to verifications. The case study and feedback from several industrial actors suggest that the framework is valuable, usable, and feasible for more effective use of data in product development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human-Centered Cyber-Physical Systems)
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21 pages, 580 KiB  
Article
Human-in-Loop Decision-Making and Autonomy: Lessons Learnt from the Aviation Industry Transferred to Cyber-Physical Systems
by Chara Makri, Didem Gürdür Broo and Andy Neely
Technologies 2022, 10(6), 120; https://doi.org/10.3390/technologies10060120 - 24 Nov 2022
Viewed by 2644
Abstract
In this study, we reviewed aircraft accidents in order to understand how autonomy and safety has been managed in the aviation industry, with the aim of transferring our findings to autonomous cyber-physical systems (CPSs) in general. Through the qualitative analysis of 26 reports [...] Read more.
In this study, we reviewed aircraft accidents in order to understand how autonomy and safety has been managed in the aviation industry, with the aim of transferring our findings to autonomous cyber-physical systems (CPSs) in general. Through the qualitative analysis of 26 reports of aircraft accidents that took place from 2016 to 2022, we identified the most common contributing factors and the actors involved in aircraft accidents. We found that accidents were rarely the result of a single event or actor, with the most common contributing factor being non-adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs). Considering that the aviation industry has had decades to perfect their SOPs, it is important for CPSs not only to consider the actors and causes that may contribute to safety-related issues, but also to consider well-defined reporting practices, as well as the different levels of mechanisms checked by diverse stakeholders, in order to minimise the cascading nature of such events to improve safety. In addition to proposing a new definition of safety, in this study we suggest reviewing high-reliability organisations to offer further insights as part of future research on CPS safety. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human-Centered Cyber-Physical Systems)
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26 pages, 2625 KiB  
Article
Towards a Modern Learning Organization: Human-Centered Digitalization of Lessons Learned Management for Complex Systems Development Projects
by YangYang Zhao and Henrik Jensen
Technologies 2022, 10(6), 117; https://doi.org/10.3390/technologies10060117 - 16 Nov 2022
Viewed by 2742
Abstract
The importance of learning from experience is incontrovertible; however, little is studied regarding the digitalization of in- and inter-project lessons learned in modern organizational practices. As a critical part of organizational knowledge, lessons learned are known to help organizations adapt to the ever-changing [...] Read more.
The importance of learning from experience is incontrovertible; however, little is studied regarding the digitalization of in- and inter-project lessons learned in modern organizational practices. As a critical part of organizational knowledge, lessons learned are known to help organizations adapt to the ever-changing world via the complex systems development projects they use to capitalize on and to develop their competitive advantage. In this paper, we introduce the concept of human-centered digitalization for this unique type of organizational knowledge and explain why this approach to managing lessons learned for complex systems development projects is necessary. Drawing from design thinking and systems thinking theories, we further outline the design principles for guiding actions and provide a case study of their implementation in automated systems projects for maritime industries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human-Centered Cyber-Physical Systems)
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Review

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11 pages, 2490 KiB  
Review
Exploration of Educational Possibilities by Four Metaverse Types in Physical Education
by Ji-Eun Yu
Technologies 2022, 10(5), 104; https://doi.org/10.3390/technologies10050104 - 23 Sep 2022
Cited by 58 | Viewed by 9996
Abstract
The metaverse has been evolving the internet-based education represented by e-learning. Metaverse technology is currently being developed as a platform centered on content-based information industries. It can be classified into four categories: augmented reality, lifelogging, mirror worlds, and virtual worlds. Although current research [...] Read more.
The metaverse has been evolving the internet-based education represented by e-learning. Metaverse technology is currently being developed as a platform centered on content-based information industries. It can be classified into four categories: augmented reality, lifelogging, mirror worlds, and virtual worlds. Although current research finds that the potential of the metaverse is not small in the education world, and metaverse technology is already being used in the sports world, concrete applications have not been investigated. The main aims of this study, which started with this purpose, can be summarized as follows. The metaverse environment is still in its rudimentary stage, and its use related to physical education subjects is only at the game level. In the future, the utilization of the metaverse by physical education subjects will be possible in universities only when more specialized technology is grafted into various sports. Ultimately, this study contributes to expanding the scope and depth of follow-up research by offering basic data showing the direction of metaverse-based physical education. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human-Centered Cyber-Physical Systems)
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