Presented by: The Perception and Performance Technical Group

As eye tracking technologies become more accessible and provide higher quality data, they are increasingly being used to identify new nuances in human performance. Gaze patterns and dwell times can be recorded with these technologies, which give insights into how people allocate their attention and the information processing occurring on a given task. This has many uses - for example, identifying how experts take in information differently from novices, which products consumers are drawn on a cluttered store shelf, or where drivers look for safety-relevant information. Eye tracking also comes with drawbacks, however. The main concern is the strict environment control required in most cases to gather valid data - changes in lighting, cognitive workload, or posture of the human can all hinder the validity of the data or ability of the eye tracker. This reduces the usefulness of these technologies in real settings where strict control is impossible, although recent advances have begun to overcome some of these limitations. This webinar will discuss how eye tracking technologies can be used in controlled simulated environments for operator safety, and how they can be used in real-world contexts for consumers. Dr. Sampath Jayarathna will discuss how eye tracking technologies can be used in controlled simulated environments to better understand gaze behaviour strategies and how they relate to operator task performance. Ir. Rutger Stuut will delve into the use case of advancing AR and AI by leveraging egocentric data collection through smart glasses. 

The Titans of HFE Virtual Symposium is a showcase of some of the premier researchers, practitioners, and academicians in HFES.  Speakers presented on the foundational areas of the science of human factors and ergonomics and will provide their insights into the future of HFE.  

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.   

Whether you are an early-career professional, student, seasoned researcher, or practitioner, the Titans Symposium provides the opportunity to learn about the fundamental concepts, recent developments, and future initiatives through the eyes of the experts.

Chair, Kermit G. Davis, University of Cincinnati

Harry L. Davis, Pioneer in Human Factors and Ergonomics

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.

This Webinar is presented by the HFES Practitioner's Committee.

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.

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.

Presented by: The Perception and Performance Technical Group

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.