human engineering problem

a case where the real challenge is to modify or control human behavior rather than design a technological solution. Sometimes used sarcastically (by techies) to imply that a problem is not due to technological deficiencies, but to the fact that humans are so poorly designed.

We know how to produce enough food to feed the world. Eliminating hunger is primarily a human engineering problem.

by Sal Theunuch December 17, 2005

human search engine

Reference librarian.

I googled that question our prof assigned us but didn't get any usable info, so I txted a human search engine and got the answer within a couple minutes.

by JavaJaneOhio August 17, 2010

human factors engineering

i) the process and effects of intentionally playing on a persons attributes to achieve a goal, either directly or indirectly.

I didnt want Amy going out with Mark, but i knew she was planning to go out with him on friday, so i relied on Jenny's gossip mouth by telling her best friend Cathy that Mark had VD. She told everyone else and Amy went out with me instead. Ingenious human factors engineering

by cybayob February 4, 2004

Human Engineering

The interdisciplinary field concerned with designing systems, environments, and products to be compatible with human physical, perceptual, and cognitive characteristics. Often synonymous with ergonomics or human factors, it's the science of fitting technology to people rather than people to technology. Human Engineering studies the limits of the human body and mind—reach, reaction time, attention span, memory load—and then designs cockpits, software interfaces, and assembly lines that respect those limits. It's the quiet heroism of preventing user error by design.

Human Engineering Example: The placement of a car's brake pedal is Human Engineering. The designers didn't ask "Where can we fit this?" They asked "Where does the human leg expect it to be?" The intuitive swipe gestures on a smartphone are Human Engineering—they map to natural human motor patterns rather than requiring conscious instruction. When the tool disappears into the task, Human Engineering has succeeded.

by Dumu The Void February 11, 2026