Our research topics

Eye movements and visual attention

Seeing with high resolution only is possible within the small foveal area, which is why the direction of our gaze usually corresponds to the focus of our visual attention. Fixations are especially relevant in this process, because the intake and processing of information is limited to these phases of visual exploration. In previous work we could show that the duration of particular fixations can reveal information about current mental processing activities.

In this area we are investigating the following topics:

• Top-down and bottom-up influences on eye movement control
• Distractor- and orienting effects during free picture viewing
• Temporal and spatial coupling of eye movements and attention
• Visual perception in virtual 3D scenes
• Eye movements as an indicator of prospective memory and decision making

Problem solving and  decision making in human-machine systems

For an optimal cooperation between human and machine, it is necessary for humans to remain and active, competent partner who can make adaptive decisions depending on the requirements of the situation. This is of particular importance during non-routine situations such as fault diagnosis. Therefore, technical systems should allow for a critical analysis of their current and future state and process, so that a subtle, goal-directed coordination between human and machine becomes possible.

We are investigating some of the following topis:

• Design of case-based reasoning for supporting situation analysis during fault diagnosis in industrial production sytstems
• Technical support of remote communication in technical systems (process industries, railway traffic control)
• Interface design for cyber-physical production systems