Putting the Brain to Work: Neuroergonomics Past, Present, and Future

OBJECTIVE: The authors describe research and applications in prominent areas of neuroergonomics. BACKGROUND: Because human factors/ergonomics examines behavior and mind at work, it should include the study of brain mechanisms underlying human performance. METHODS: Neuroergonomic studies are reviewed in four areas: workload and vigilance, adaptive automation, neuroengineering, and molecular genetics and individual differences. RESULTS: Neuroimaging studies have helped identify the components of mental workload, workload assessment in complex tasks, and resource depletion in vigilance. Furthermore, real-time neurocognitive assessment of workload can trigger adaptive automation. Neural measures can also drive brain-computer interfaces to provide disabled users new communication channels. Finally, variants of particular genes can be associated with individual differences in specific cognitive functions. CONCLUSIONS: Neuroergonomics shows that considering what makes work possible - the human brain - can enrich understanding of the use of technology by humans and can inform technological design. APPLICATION: Applications of neuroergonomics include the assessment of operator workload and vigilance, implementation of real-time adaptive automation, neuroengineering for people with disabilities, and design of selection and training methods.