Cyber-physical systems as sociotechnical systems: a view towards human–technology interaction

The aim of this paper is to provide a conceptual formulation of a cyber-physical system (CPS) as a sociotechnical system (STS). CPS has become a major area for research and development; however, for successful integration with society, the sociotechnical dimension of CPS should be addressed. Examining basic issues will provide a strong foundation for CPS technologies along with providing stakeholder acceptance and engagement for wellbeing of society. While CPS can be considered as subsets of STS, they are not merely an application of STS principles. Rather, as this article demonstrates, considerations of fundamental principles involve a careful scrutiny of basic assumptions. This paper examines the basic assumptions involved in STS based on insights derived from a multitude of fields ranging from human–computer interaction, risk management, history of technology, philosophy of technology, science and technology studies and systems engineering. Further, based on sociotechnical models from three different fields, and in light of the basic assumptions of STS, a conceptual model of CPS is presented. This model is devised with a view towards human–technology interaction in CPS. It consists of technology and societal elements as hybrid entities available at several levels of functional abstraction. Using already existing example of CPS projects, the applicability of the proposed conceptual model is demonstrated. The paper concludes with a discussion of three main future challenges for human–technology interaction in CPS.