About the CSL

The Cognitive Systems Laboratory focuses on cognitive engineering, where the challenge is to understand and improve the capacity of joint human-technology systems. This research has considered technology insertion in the maritime industry, ground transportation, tele-operation, and process control. A specific example is the distraction potential of in-vehicle information systems, such as cellular telephones and e-mail. Another example is the role of trust and appropriate reliance in the supervisory control of automation, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). In each of these examples, the ultimate goal is to develop computational models of human performance and design principles that can support effective and humane use of technology.

The common theme of understanding how technology mediates peoples' attention integrates our research across the varied research domains of maritime navigation, process control, and driving. Technology-mediated attention builds upon the basic psychological concepts of attention to understand how technology must be shaped so that people attend to the right thing at the right time and respond appropriately. By understanding how technology can mediate attention, we create display and control systems that enable people to work effectively with increasingly sophisticated technology.

Students in the CSL learn how to conduct experiments in microworld and simulator environments that include the National Advanced Driving Simulator (NADS). They also learn techniques of computational cognitive engineering to model joint human-technology behavior, estimate the state of the operator, and to enhance data interpretation.

Recent News

Our research on driving with iPods is highlighted in the April 10th Iowa City Press-Citizen article entitled "UI puts distractions to the test"

The Driving Simulation Conference North America will be located at The University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA September 12-14th, 2007.

Check out the new driving wiki at www.drivingwiki.org, a site devoted to driving research that anyone can edit. The driving wiki includes information on key research areas within the human factors transportation community; simulation tools such as standards for scenario design and validation, and selection of performance measures; research tools, including a list of recommended readings; and collaboration tools, namely a discussion forum for job opportunities and proposed projects.

Congratulations to Yi-Ching Lee for successfully defending her dissertation entitled "Cognitive Load and the Guidance of Attention in Complex Dynamic Environments". We wish her the best as a University of Illinois faculty member.

Check out www.HFcareers.com for Human Factors (HF) job announcements. This site was conceptualized and developed in its entirety by HF professionals for HF professionals.

Publications


Most Recent
Gao, J., Lee, J.D., & Zhang, Y. (2006). A dynamic model of interaction between reliance on automation and cooperation in multi-operator multi-automation situations. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 36(5), 511-526.
Hoffman, J.D., Lee, J.D., McGehee, D.V. et al. (2005). Visual sampling of in-vehicle text messages - Effects of number of lines, page presentation, and message control. Transportation Research Record (1937), 22-30.
Lee, J.D., & See, K.A. (2004). Trust in automation: Designing for appropriate reliance. Human Factors, 46(1), 50-80.
Seppelt, B.D., Lee, J.D. (2007). Making adaptive cruise control (ACC) limits visible. International Journal of Human-Computer Studies.

Frequently Viewed
Lee, J.D., & See, K.A. (2004). Trust in automation: Designing for appropriate reliance. Human Factors, 46(1), 50-80.
Lee, J.D., McGehee, D.V., Brown, T.L., & Reyes, M.L. (2002). Collision warning timing, driver distraction, and driver response to imminent rear end collisions in a high-fidelity driving simulator. Human Factors, 44(2), 314-334.
Contact Us | Copyright © 2006 || The University of Iowa || College of Engineering || Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering || Cognitive Systems Laboratory