National Power MMI prototyping and evaluation facility:-use of the OECD Halden reactor Project PICASSO software

Recently a human factors laboratory was constructed at the National Power Technology and Environmental Centre (NPTEC) at Leatherhead. This provides a controlled environment for experimental facilities where prototype displays can be rapidly implemented and evaluated. The core of NPTEC´s experimental capability is a man-machine interface prototyping and evaluation facility. This comprises UNIX-based computer workstations equipped with high definition colour graphic screens running specialised software for display development and evaluation. The PICASSO software package was designed specifically to handle dynamic process information which is to be presented on colour graphic displays. It facilitates both the design of display formats and the management of any associated man-machine dialogue. Its functionality covers the diverse requirements of a range of industrial applications. PICASSO was developed at the OECD Halden Project in Norway and has been utilised by several Project members, including the National Power Human Factors Laboratory, in a number of applications