Participatory ergonomics: past, present and future

This article traces the origins and development of Participatory Ergonomics as a macroergonomic approach to Japan in the 1980s. Since that time participatory approaches have evolved to make it a powerful means for ergonomists around the world. Future generations and ergonomic trends are projected using one set of conceptualization. Based on this model four generations can be identified: physical, cognitive, neural and biological. Four trends are projected to become important; one of which will be the need to engage users in other participatory means. This will result in finding an increasing number of new applications based on a finite set of ergonomic principles. This model is consistent with trends in the digital age.