Computer Science

Human-Centered Computing

Driver behavior in electric-vehicle recharging lanes. Intuitive in-vehicle auditory interactions. Assistive technologies for the blind. Social robots for children with autism. Sonification and emotion detection on the road—and in the immersive visualization studio, where dancers and artists create music and visuals through their movements.

From the virtual reality laboratory to the Mind Music Machine Lab, we research how the human mind interacts with technology and how technology interacts with the human mind. We teach digital devices how to recognize and react to human emotion.

"Fast hardware and clever algorithms only get you so far. To build efficient and pleasant interactive systems, we need to design for the needs and capabilities of end users." Keith Vertanen, assistant professor, computer science

Current Projects

Project Title: Mobile User Experience

Investigator: Robert Pastel

Overview: Although mobile commuting is ubiquitous, few paradigms and tools exist for studying mobile user experiences. This project develops new mobile interaction techniques and usability measures mobile commuting.

Project Title: Improving Virtual Reality Systems

Investigator: Scott Kuhl

Overview: As head-mounted displays and other VR technology become ubiquitous, we need to ensure that they are useful and easy-to-use. At Michigan Tech, we research ways to improve navigation in VR systems and to ensure that people are able to correctly interpret the information that is presented to them.

Researchers

Scott Kuhl

Scott A. Kuhl

  • Associate Professor, Computer Science
  • Affiliated Associate Professor, Psychology and Human Factors
  • Faculty Advisor, Husky Game Development Enterprise

Links of Interest

Area of Expertise

  • Computer Graphics
  • Virtual Environments
  • Head-mounted displays
  • Human Perception
Robert Pastel

Robert Pastel

  • Associate Professor, Computer Science
  • Affiliated Associate Professor, Psychology and Human Factors
  • Faculty Advisor, Humane Interface Design Enterprise

Links of Interest

Area of Expertise

  • Mobile App Design and Usability
  • Software Development and Processes
  • Computer Science Education
Keith Vertanen

Keith Vertanen

  • Dave House Associate Professor

Links of Interest

Area of Expertise

  • Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)
  • Accessible computing
  • Speech and Language Processing
  • Mobile Interfaces
  • Crowdsourcing

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