Axis 2: Human-environment-technology interactions
Taking into account the complexity of interactions between humans and the environment is at the heart of the development of senseable cities capable of fostering the mobility of all people through technology.
Human interactions
People are a central component of intelligent ecosystems (see axis 1), not only because they actively participate in collecting data on the environment but also as actors in complex and sensitive interactions with the environment, those are mediated or not by technologies.
The research Chair seeks to characterize the interactions between people with disabilities and their physical, social, and technological environment both indoors and outdoors. This ecological approach aims to better understand the mobility issues of these audiences in order to develop adapted and customizable assistive technologies, taking into account the physical, perceptual and cognitive variability of individual profiles.
This dimension of our research is based on a set of sensors and tools from the Human Sciences, making it possible to question and measure spatial reasoning, cognitive load, construction of representations about the environment or even strategies of navigation. Eye-tracking data, physiological data, interviews and psychological reference tests are notably implemented in order to understand the specificities of each person.
Augmented environments
Research on human-environment-technology interactions can use virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality devices, whether as an object of study or as support for research.
The Chair uses various virtual reality and augmented reality devices to measure interactions that are difficult to observe in a real environment with vulnerable populations. Real environments (notably indoors) are modeled in 3D and also serve as a basis of comparison for studies in a real environment.
The research carried out within the Chair is also interested in the behavior and mobility strategies of people in virtual and augmented environments. The addition of information relating to accessibility or facilitating spatial landmarks identification directly in the environment is – for instance – a perspective that is being developed.