Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems

Mission

The Human Factors and Ergonomics (HFE) research group at the Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems (CAVS) is committed to supporting the advancement of vehicle design and manufacturing through research and development of systems that focus on 1) the human component in product and process design and 2) enterprise computational systems and technologies. Our approach is multidisciplinary, coupling traditional engineering methodologies with research in human factors, ergonomics, cognitive science, learning and training systems, human-machine interfaces, telematics, and advanced computing technologies. Academic units involved include Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Industrial Engineering, Industrial Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biological Engineering, and Cognitive Science.

The Human Factors and Ergonomics group focuses on both physical and cognitive aspects of the human being as an integral component in the design of products and manufacturing processes. This group is researching and developing methodologies for understanding and assessing ergonomics within the context of industrial product and process design. Our investigations include the use of traditional analysis tools as well as state-of-the-art tools including digital human models and virtual design environments.

The Human Factors Lab houses an advanced driving simulator, a 16-camera Motion Analysis motion capture system, a Gypsy Suit electromechanical motion capture suit, EMG, thermography, virtual and augmented reality displays, and a synchronized video system.