  The design of work organisation systems with automated equipment is facing
new challenges and the emergence of new concepts. The social aspects that are
related with new concepts on the complex work environments (CWE) are becoming
more relevant for that design. The work with autonomous systems implies options
in the design of workplaces. Especially that happens in such complex
environments. The concepts of "agents", "co-working" or "human-centred
technical systems" reveal new dimensions related to human-computer interaction
(HCI). With an increase in the number and complexity of those human-technology
interfaces, the capacities of human intervention can become limited,
originating further problems. The case of robotics is used to exemplify the
issues related with automation in working environments and the emergence of new
HCI approaches that would include social implications. We conclude that studies
on technology assessment of industrial robotics and autonomous agents on
manufacturing environment should also focus on the human involvement strategies
in organisations. A needed participatory strategy implies a new approach to
workplaces design. This means that the research focus must be on the relation
between technology and social dimensions not as separate entities, but
integrated in the design of an interaction system.
