The Titans Symposium is an ideal opportunity to gain knowledge and insights into important HFE areas such as situation awareness, attention, decision-making, spinal ergonomics, human error, team cognition and interaction, automation, autonomous vehicles, telepresence, patient safety, macro-ergonomics, aging, inclusion, stress, human system interactions, and team effectiveness.

This interview with human factors / ergonomics pioneer, Harry Davis, tells his story from childhood through his success in getting Kodak to fund the founding of the first non-military, applied human factors group in American industry in 1960 and his later service to the profession as a mentor to many, as President of the Human Factors Society, and as Secretary General and President of the International Ergonomics Association. Growing up in a Pennsylvania coal-mining community, Harry developed empathy for people who work in difficult conditions. One day he was helping a family friend repair the porch. Crouching under the porch with the friend—an old coal miner—Harry remarked on the tough working conditions. The miner said that the conditions were good compared to coal seams where he had to lie flat and crawl with his pickaxe in hand. The Davis family got a new porch foundation, and Harry gained an early appreciation for difficult working conditions, a cornerstone of his later career.

Contextual inquiry reveals the hidden dynamics behind human-system interactions, leveraging Dr. Black's expertise in sensemaking, complexity, systems thinking (DSRP), and high-stakes decision-making environments. Drawing from his experience in policing, military special operations, and expert witness work, Dr. Black will illustrate how the practice of inquiry enhances our perceptual understanding of both clients and ourselves. Through practical examples, participants will be given perspectives and frames to apply inquiry, enhancing and focusing on understanding before we attempt to solve---a common flaw often found in inquiry.

As the Director of the Human Dimensioning Lab (HDL), Dr. Griffin develops new methods for utilizing 3D/4D technology and understanding the body-product relationship. Through research, the HDL has created representative 3D /4D anthropometric databases and promote systems-based, interdisciplinary design for the purpose of protecting and clothing humans, with a special emphasis on those who are disadvantaged and underserved. The purpose of the paper presented in this webinar was to understand how measurements of the aging body change in the seated and standing positions. An integrated approach was taken to select the appropriate 3D scanning technology, develop a landmarking method, and position the body to analyze the waist–hip–thigh region. Each part of the method was developed to enable an in-depth analysis of circumference measurements and shape change, including the expansion and contraction of body shape across different postures. New 3D scanning methods to quantify diverse bodies can improve product fit and create inclusive, quality design for all.

As the Director of the Human Dimensioning Lab (HDL), Dr. Griffin develops new methods for utilizing 3D/4D technology and understanding the body-product relationship. Through research, the HDL has created representative 3D /4D anthropometric databases and promote systems-based, interdisciplinary design for the purpose of protecting and clothing humans, with a special emphasis on those who are disadvantaged and underserved. The purpose of the paper presented in this webinar was to understand how measurements of the aging body change in the seated and standing positions. An integrated approach was taken to select the appropriate 3D scanning technology, develop a landmarking method, and position the body to analyze the waist–hip–thigh region. Each part of the method was developed to enable an in-depth analysis of circumference measurements and shape change, including the expansion and contraction of body shape across different postures. New 3D scanning methods to quantify diverse bodies can improve product fit and create inclusive, quality design for all.

Section 508 refers to the amendment to the Rehabilitation Act of 1998 where federal agencies were mandated to ensure that their digital products be accessible to users with disabilities. In a report published in 2023 by GSA, it was noted that the US Government at large did not meet the accessibility requirements. This talk is a preview of a workshop that I plan to propose to the HFES Aspire Conference. The goal of this workshop is to educate beginner, and experienced, software practitioners on accessibility best practices for web-based applications, by illustrating current barriers within implementation workflows and what software companies can do to improve. After completing this workshop, attendees will be able to understand the importance of accessible software, implement accessibility principles into their software development process, and champion accessibility for their users.

Section 508 refers to the amendment to the Rehabilitation Act of 1998 where federal agencies were mandated to ensure that their digital products be accessible to users with disabilities. In a report published in 2023 by GSA, it was noted that the US Government at large did not meet the accessibility requirements. This talk is a preview of a workshop that I plan to propose to the HFES Aspire Conference. The goal of this workshop is to educate beginner, and experienced, software practitioners on accessibility best practices for web-based applications, by illustrating current barriers within implementation workflows and what software companies can do to improve. After completing this workshop, attendees will be able to understand the importance of accessible software, implement accessibility principles into their software development process, and champion accessibility for their users.

This session will address the role of the architect in designing safe paths of travel, and level changes that are ergonomically correct, and code compliant. The session will present the Florida Building Code, ADA, and IBC, (international building code) requirements for stairs, steps, ramps and level changes. Highlights will address the human factors of walking gait, and how level changes create the dynamics for falls. Examples will be given of design conditions that resulted in fall accidents and the audience can determine if it was an architectural defect, or someone just being clumsy.

In recent years there has been a significant trend across various domains shifting from local to remote control. Remote control can have some relevant advantages, such as increased efficiency, safer working environments for operators, quickly switching between controlled objects, and reducing the logistical impact of autonomous operating systems. However, it significantly changes the operator role and introduces new human-machine interactions. Different ways of information presentations and a lack of auditive and tactile cues changes the way that people acquire situation awareness and can induce symptoms of motion sickness. Professor Szonya Durant will provide an overview of issues faced by remote operators called on to assist autonomous vehicles. She will discuss how to measure aspects of situation awareness and how interface displays can help improve situation awareness. Dr. Kay Stanney will provide a review of motion sickness theories and protocols they have developed to minimize adverse effects. Dr. Alan Hobbs will show how these human factors issues are addressed in the aim to operate Remotely Piloted Aircrafts routinely and safely in civilian airspace.

The study presented today is part of a validation effort to determine the extent to which AI-driven simulation-based instruction can alleviate pilot training pipeline pain points experienced by many militaries around the world. The main objective was to verify the training benefits of synthetic coaching, feedback, and biometrics using an immersive training device. Results are presented in terms of both technology acceptance and training effects over time to achieve the desired proficiency level across basic pilot maneuvers.