In this paper, we analyze the specific requirements of interacting with cyber-physical systems and propose a design approach that is driven by user needs and makes use of an expanded toolbox that contains state-of-the-art interaction technologies including Smart Glasses and Wearables. We present several examples of assistance systems in industrial production that use these interaction technologies and discuss the corresponding usability and implementation aspects.

The current trend of integrating machines and factories into cyber-physical systems (CPS) creates an enormous complexity for operators of such systems. Especially the search for the root cause of cascading failures becomes highly time-consuming. Within this paper, we address the question on how to help human users to better and faster understand root causes of such situations. We propose a concept of interactive alarm flood reduction and present the implementation of a first vertical prototype for such a system. We consider this prototype as a first artifact to be discussed by the research community and aim towards an incremental further development of the system in order to support humans in complex error situations.