Performance Analysis of Urban Cleaning Devices Using Human–Machine Interaction Method

María Alonso-García, Ana García-Sánchez, Paula Jaén-Moreno and Manuel Fernández-Rubio
Additional contact information
María Alonso-García: Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Design Department, University of Cádiz, Av. de la Universidad 10, Puerto Real, 11519 Cádiz, Spain
Ana García-Sánchez: Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Design Department, University of Cádiz, Av. de la Universidad 10, Puerto Real, 11519 Cádiz, Spain
Paula Jaén-Moreno: Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Design Department, University of Cádiz, Av. de la Universidad 10, Puerto Real, 11519 Cádiz, Spain
Manuel Fernández-Rubio: Feniks Cleaning and Safety S.L., Calle Fridex Uno 3, Alcalá de Guadaíra, 41500 Sevilla, Spain

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 11, 1-16

Abstract: Presently, several jobs require the collaboration of humans and machines to perform different services and tasks. The ease and intuitiveness of the worker when using each machine will not only improve the worker’s experience but also improve the company’s productivity and the satisfaction that all users have. Specifically, electromechanical devices used to provide cleaning services require complex interactions. These interactions determine the usability and performance of devices. Therefore, devices must have appropriate ergonomic arrangements for human–machine interactions. Otherwise, the desired performance cannot be achieved. This study analyzes the performance of an urban cleaning device (pressure washer on a power take-off van) using human–machine interaction method. The method measures visceral and behavioral levels (set by Norman) and service times. Using these measurements, the usability of the pressure washer is determined according to different factors that facilitate the operator’s well-being in the working environment. A pressure washer from Feniks Cleaning and Safety, Limited Company, has been studied. Sixteen errors related to ergonomics, usability and safety were identified in this machine, which operates in more than 40 locations in Spain. Therefore, this study provides valuable information on the usability and performance of pressure washers, as well as possibilities for improvement.

Keywords: experience design; product evaluation; human–machine interaction; service industries; work productivity; human performance; human factors; industrial design (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/11/5846/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/11/5846/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:11:p:5846-:d:560270

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().