Man-Machine-Systems

 

head of the department: prof.dr.ir. P.A. Wieringa
professor (special assigment): prof.dr.ir. C.A. Grimbergen
professor (personal assigment):  prof.dr.F.C.T. van der Helm
emeritus professor:  prof.dr.ir. H.G. Stassen
secretariat: mevr .M.C.S. Macherhi (tel. 015-278 6400)

 

Description of the specialism

The field of Man-Machine Systems is found in all areas of Mechanical Engineering. Not only is it seen in the operation and use of instruments, tools, machines and vehicles, but also in the protection and control of complex industrial installations, production lines and medical and transport systems. A human being controlling a technical system carries out certain actions on the basis of information exchange with that system. In the field of Man-Machine Systems this interaction between the human and the technical system is central. Fundamental insights gained from system, measurement and control theory are in this respect essential: identification, perceptibility, responsiveness, open-loop behaviour and regulated behaviour.

When a human operates a technical system dynamically, we can consider the human as a regulator: the human finds himself then "in the loop". The dynamics of his actions are of prime importance if a properly functioning and stable whole is to be achieved. This is particularly the case with the operation of road, air and water transport systems, but also with the handling of surgical instruments or remotely controlled robots for example. Operators in a control room can in principle be approached using the same concepts. The dynamics of the operations themselves, however, play a less important role, while the decision making process becomes crucial for operation in critical situations.

In the section MMS, fundamental research is carried out into the design of systems that are optimally adapted to the characteristics of the human being and to the control properties of the movement apparatus (hand-arm-shoulder complex). Within this main subject there are a number of specialisations where measurement, systems and control theory form the basis.

Graduating in the Man-Machine Systems section

The graduation program of the specialism MMS takes two years. The first year consists of compulsory courses, exercises and optional courses. The compulsory courses differ slightly, depending on the direction within the specialism you wish to take. In the table, four course packets are given. The second year of the graduation program consists primarily of a literature study and a research or design project. The goal of the literature study is to become better acquainted with the framework of the final project and is normally carried out within the research department. Thereafter you can carry out the final project either within the department, in a national or international academic institution or in a company. The graduation project also contains a practical part. In order to stimulate research of a high academic level, each student must prepare one or more scientific publications and present his or her ideas and findings in three presentations. The presentation cycle is supplemented by guest speakers from industry or from renowned scientific institutions. Together with the section's own research this forms an excellent climate for a valuable and fruitful graduation period.

The specialisation Man-Machine Systems - Supervisory Control

Within this specialisation come the predominantly industrial applications of Man-Machine Systems:

Industrial systems: Research is directed at fundamental and industrial aspects of the interaction between human and technological system, and in particular with regard to various process conditions, maintenance and supervision. The research forms the basis for the educational programme and the graduation subjects. Many of the projects are done in collaboration with or financed by industry.

Modelling human decision making: In order to reach a good design for a Man-Machine System, it is essential to have some knowledge of human decision making behaviour. In co-operation with other research centres new methods are developed to analyse simulations and verify models. In particular, many models have been developed in the field of shipping in the last few years.

Alarm management: It still happens that operators of industrial systems are inundated with alarm signals. This leads to a high pressure situation, where essential information can be missed or seen too late. This problem can be tackled by looking at three aspects: how are the alarms in the system defined; can the number of alarms be (intelligently) reduced; can the alarm signals be presented in such a way that the operator is able to diagnose the problem and intervene quickly.

Automation of complex industrial systems: The complexity and the level of automation of technical systems is on the increase. Economic arguments are used to push automation to higher levels and to reduce the tasks of the operator even further. This leads to an automation paradox: on the one hand we want automation to prevent people from having to do monotonous work and to minimise the influence of operator errors, and on the other hand we want to keep the operator in the control room to handle any unforeseen circumstances. The operator must, however, have a meaningful task to carry out.

The specialisation Medical Technology

Within this specialisation come the predominantly medical and biomechanical aspects.

Subjects

Heart physiology: The heart regulates its blood supply via its own blood vessel system. In order to be able to react to quickly changing circumstances, there are various mechanisms present. Obtaining insight into the biomechanical characteristics and the control concepts of the heart is of great societal importance due to the potential contribution to the prevention of heart and vascular disease.

The human shoulder: The shoulder, the complex of upper arm, shoulder blade and collarbone, carries out complicated movements under the control of a large number of muscles. Due to the complexity of the shoulder we have only recently gained a reasonable insight into the working of this joint. This insight is used to improve the diagnosis and treatment of shoulder complaints, to carry out research into the propulsion of wheelchairs and in the design of shoulder prostheses.

Hand prostheses: People who are missing a hand can execute most tasks with the use of one hand. For some important activities, however, an aid can be very useful. Such an aid must be cosmetically acceptable and give no trouble the rest of the day. This is why we like to make ultra-light devices which are extremely energy efficient. For this we develop special, often unconventional, mechanisms.

Walking robot: In order to gain insight into the essence of walking and to apply this knowledge in the design of assistive devices for people with lower limb paralysis, we are developing a robot which walks as humans walk: fluently and efficiently.

Minimally invasive surgery: During minimally invasive surgery only very small incisions are made in the skin, through which a camera and long, thin instruments are introduced. A major disadvantage of this method of operating, however, is the indirect manner of observation and manipulation. We are trying to reduce these limitations for the surgeon with the use of new technology.

Subject packets

The following packets have been drawn up:

MT Des: Medical Technology, design
MT Res: Medical Technology, research
MMS Robot: Man-Machine Systems, robotics
MMS Sup: Man-Machine Systems, supervision

The table below shows which subjects are compulsory and which are optional for each subject packet. (NB. A number of subjects from the third year are compulsory. It is sensible to do these as options (min. 4 pts.) in the third year. Points will only be counted once!)

Course code Course name

MT
Des.

MT
Res.

MMS
Robot.

MMS
Sup.

Cp

Cat.

lecture
hours

compulsory courses 3th course year  (v)
wb2306 Cybernetic ergonomis

v

v

v

v

2

f

 0/0/0/4
wb2311 Introduction to system modelling

v

v

v

v

2

f

 4/0/0/0
wb3303 Mechanisms

v

v

v

v

2

f

 0/0/2/2

total cp. compulsory courses

 6 6 6 6  

basic - compulsory courses 4th course year (v)
wb2301 System identification and parameter estimation

v

v

v

v

5

f

 0/0/2/2
wb2303 Measurement techniques

v

v

v

v

2

f

 2/2/0/0
wb2309

Introduction to MMS section

v

v

v

v

0,5

m

 x/x/0/0
wb2404 Man-Machine Systems

v

v

v

v

3

f

 2/2/0/0
wb2407 Human movement control

v

v

v

v

3

f

 2/2/0/0
wb2420 Control theory

v

v

v

v

4

f

 4/4/0/0
wb2432

Biomechatronics

v

v

v

v

3

f

 0/0/2/2
wbp201 Phantom-practical

v

v

v

v

2

f

  

total cp. compulsory courses

 22,5 22,5 22,5

22,5

  

other compulsory courses and (recommended) optional courses (v, ak, k)
wb1413 Multibody dynamics B

v

v

v

k

2

f

 0/0/2/2
wb2308 Design 3H

v

k

k

k

3

f

 2/0/0/0
wb2400 Process control

k

k

k

v

2

f

 0/0/2/2
wb2408 Fysiological systems

v

v

k

v

2

f

 0/4/0/0
wb2413 Instrumentation

ak

k

k

v

1

f

 0/0/2/2
wb2414 Mechatronic design

ak

k

v

k

2

f

 2/2/0/0
wb2421 Multivariable control

k

k

k

k

4

f

 0/0/4/0
wb2422 Advanced modelling

k

k

k

v

4

f

 2/2/0/0
wb5412 Micro technology

v

k

v

k

2

f

 0/0/2/2
wi3021tu Applied statistics B

k

v

k

k

3

f

  

total cp. other compulsory courses

 9 5 6 9  

other (recommended) optional courses ( ak, k)
et3013 Non-linear dynamic systems

k

ak

k

k

1,5

f

  
et3021wb Elektric drives

ak

k

k

k

2,5

f

 0/0/3/0
et4085 Image processing

k

k

ak

k

2

f

  
et4090 Reasoning with uncertainty

k

k

k

ak

2

f

  
et4099 Kwowledge-based control systems

k

k

k

ak

2

f

  
et4126 Medic technology

ak

ak

k

k

2,5

f

  
et4127 Theme lecture: biomedical technology

ak

ak

k

k

2,5

f

  
et4131 Sensorsystems for robots

ak

k

ak

k

2

f

  
et4137tn Fuzzy logic for engineering applications

ak

k

k

k

2

f

  
lr4-60 Man-Machine Systems in Aerospace

k

k

ak

ak

2

f

  
tn3111 System identification B

k

k

k

k

5

f

 0/0/2/2
wb2402 Hydraulic drives

ak

k

k

k

2

f

  
wi2067 Advanced statistics

k

ak

k

k

3

f

  
wi3018 Non-linear optimalisation

k

ak

k

k

2

f

  
wi4042 Dynamic systems

ak

ak

k

k

2

f

  
wi4050 Uncertainty and sensitivity analysis

ak

ak

ak

ak

2,5

f

  
wi4052 Risc analysis

k

k

ak

ak

2

f

  
wi4059 Confidence analysis

k

k

ak

ak

2

f

  
wi4064 Discret optimisation

k

k

ak

ak

2

f

  
wi4070tu Digital simulation A

ak

ak

k

k

3

f

  
wm0801 Introd. tot safety eng.: methods and techniques

ak

ak

ak

ak

2

m

  
wm0802 Project work safety engineering

k

k

ak

ak

2

m

  
wm0803 Project work safety engineering in health care

ak

ak

ak

ak

  

m

  
wm0804 Safety polici and planing

k

k

k

ak

  

m

  

Fundamental courses: f (min. 6 cp.)

Social courses: m (min. 4 cp.)

 

For the fifth year the following are obligatory:

Vakcode Vaknaam

Stp
wbo104-1B Progress meeting (every last Wednesday of the month)

2
wbo104-2B Practical assignment

8
wbo104-3B Literature study

8
wbo104-4B Literature study colloquium

2
wbo104-5B Introductory colloquium

6
wbo104-6B Graduation colloquium

4
wbo104-7B Final project report

12

Totaal  

42

 

A comprehensive 'guide to graduating' (in Dutch) is available from the MMS secretariat. It gives useful advice and the process of graduating is clearly explained.

Every last Wednesday of the month there is a progress meeting, at which the students present the progress of their research. Taking part in this is compulsory for 5th year students and staff and is recommended for 4th year students.

Your study is finished off by sitting the engineers exam, during which your graduation work will be thoroughly examined once again by professors, lecturers and other academics.

Students are invited twice a year to discuss their progress and planning with education co-ordinator Prof. Dr. Ir. P. A. Wieringa, tel. 2786400 (email: p.a.wieringa@wbmt.tudelft.nl). Apart from this, students can always approach him with questions, but preferably by appointment on Wednesdays between 10:00 and 12:00.