Human-Centered Design Framework for Complex Human-Machine Interface in Autonomous Ferry Navigation

Autonomous ferries offer innovative solutions for addressing urban congestion and reducing environmental challenges. Although significant progress has been achieved in autonomy-enabling technologies, Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs) that facilitate human-machine collaboration often lack a human-centered approach. This paper introduces an integrated human-centered design framework for autonomous ferries (HCD-AF), applied in the development of a New Human-Machine Interface (HMI-N) for an autonomous urban ferry, compared with an Existing Human-Machine Interface (HMI-Z). The framework combines double diamond method with participatory design and. cognitive methodologies rooted in Hierarchical Task Analysis (HTA) and Situation Awareness (SA) Theory, incorporating active user involvement as co-designer at key stages of HMI development. Developed in situ during HMI-N creation, the framework was pilot-tested using a digital twin simulator with ferry navigators. Comparative results demonstrate that HMI-N significantly improves task performance, reduces cognitive load, and shortens reaction times. These findings underscore the importance of a human centered and participatory embedded in cognitive ergonomics approach in addressing the challenges of designing for autonomous mobility, highlighting the framework's potential to enhance supervision, situational awareness, and control in the design of efficient HMIs for automation.