Digital Transformations in the Challenge of Activity and Work

15Prospective Ergonomics in Service of Technological Innovation

The purpose of this chapter is to explain the place and role of prospective ergonomics (PE) in the development of future products, services, processes and systems and to present two illustrations of innovative projects applying its approach and methods. First, we will define and characterize PE, explain the context of its creation and development and then present the challenges that need to be overcome in order to meet the new expectations it creates among researchers and practitioners.

15.1. Introduction

Ergonomics has long been kept out of the strategic decisions of organizations, because of the types of interventions taking place and the mission it had set for itself. In fact, it has essentially been used to correct problematic human work situations – often playing the role of a firefighter – or to participate in the design of tools, workstations, systems and work environments used by humans – in this case, playing a role in supporting design disciplines. This has been beneficial for it, judging by the vast body of knowledge, methods, tools and standards that have been developed over the years and the recognition it receives in the workplace. Ergonomics, on the other hand, cannot really make a positive assessment of its own inventions, novel ideas or successes of products, services, processes or technologies that are its own initiative. This is hardly surprising because it has not positioned itself in this ...