Human Factors Engineeringdeals with the design of systems and products that people use at work, in daily life and leisure. Human factors design typically involves examining the total system, comprising an account of how users interact with the device(s) to perform their tasks on a workstation under a specific environment. Its objective is to ensure human-centered design, such that systems, jobs, products, user interfaces and environments, are designed to complement the physical and mental abilities of users, and also accommodate their limitations.  

Human-centered design begins with an understanding of users' characteristics and the tasks they are expected to perform. Functional support features and user interfaces are then designed to ensure safe and effective operation, so as to maximise the productivity of the overall system. Human-centered design ensures products and systems that are functionally appropriate and user friendly, and thus well accepted by their users.

In the case of automation, Human Factors Engineering contributes to the specification of an optimal allocation of functions between the machine(s) and human(s). The more hi-tech and complex a device or system is, the more crucial Human Factors Engineering contributions would be. In this respect, an inadequate account of human factors might lead to system rejection, incomplete realisation of system potential, high incidence of human error, or worse, total failure of the system.