Facilities

The Human Factors program at the University of Idaho has a number of on-campus laboratory facilities in which students conduct state-of-the-art research projects.

For students interested in human-computer interaction research or general display characteristics, the program offers two eye-trackers, a head-mounted stereo display, and a head tracking system together with traditional usability research methods.

For students interested in driving or aviation research, a simulation lab with two large back-projection displays and a driving simulation lab equipped with a large, 3-panel display wall and the cab of a pick-up truck are available. Equipment for measurement of physiological responses such as skin conductance, heart rate variability, and pupillometry may be used to assess mental workload, stress, arousal, and other issues in neuro-ergonomics.

The integration of the Idaho Child Safety lab provides students with the unique ability to learn about child-centered safety and product design aspects.


EXISTING RESEARCH EQUIPMENT

• Flight simulator with high-resolution 90 degree FOV (two 54" diagonal rear-projection enclosures with NEC high-resolution/fast phosphor CRT projectors)
• Three-channel (135 degree FOV) projection simulation facility (three 87" diagonal fast-DLP front-projection displays)
• Idaho Driving Simulator: A DriveSafety single-channel, fixed base driving simulator with S10 cab
• Kaiser PV-60 head-mounted stereo display (FOV 45 degrees) and Intersense 300 head tracking
• ASL Model 5000 Eye-head tracking system with host computer
• Flock of Birds magnetic head tracking system and IS-300 3DOF inertial tracking system
• Multiple high-performance graphics workstations for the development of synthetic environments