The major goal of the proposed
institute is to advance the science and engineering of human-system interface
technology. The vision of the Institute is to be an internationally recognized
research and education center with a ranking among the top ten percent of
similar research centers/institutes worldwide:
research center preeminent in
key areas of human
Accreditation criteria of the Human
Factors and Ergonomics Society, technical publications, awards, and patents will
be used to measure the success of the Institute periodically.
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| 1. |
Conduct
a broad-based program of basic and applied scientific research and
technology development directed toward the understanding of the nature
of human performance while interacting with complex technology-driven
systems. |
| 2. |
Provide
an interdisciplinary and multi-disciplinary research program environment
structured to link major research laboratories and academics within the
North Carolina University System, government, and industry. |
| 3. |
Provide
an intellectual clearinghouse for training and educating people
resources in the discipline of human-machine systems engineering. |
| 1. |
Provide
education and training for developing human resources in human factors
engineering and ergonomics as needed in the design of automated systems. |
| 2. |
Provide
education and training to enhance minority representation in the
human-machine systems engineering profession. |
| 3. |
Develop
a strong inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary Human-Machine System
Engineering program that fosters and encourages direct interaction with
the following departments at NCA&T: computer science, electrical and
mechanical engineering, psychology, biology, physics, chemistry,
mathematics, nursing, physical education, sociology and business
(through the Transportation Institute). |
| 4. |
Develop
a research program that can utilize local resources such as area
hospitals (for bioengineering), industries, universities, and colleges
(e.g., Aviation Technology at GTCC, Air Traffic Control at the Piedmont
Airport, Manufacturing Human Factors at PTCAM [Piedmont Triad Center for
Advanced Manufacturing], Center for Magnetic Resonance Imaging at Wake
Forest, the Telemedicine Center at Research Triangle Institute, and
Physiology at Duke University). |
| 5. |
Collaborate
and consult with the existing research centers and institutes within NC
constituent institutions: NASA-Center of Excellence, Waste Management
Institute, and the Transportation Institute at NCA&T, Telemedicine
Center at East Carolina University, Human Interaction and Virtual
Reality Center at UNC-Chapel Hill, Ergonomics Center at North Carolina
State University (NCSU), etcetera. |
| 6. |
Provide
simulation, training and continuing education designed to increase and
improve a pool of human resources in human-machine systems engineering. |
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RELATION OF THE INSTITUTE TO THE
UNIVERSITY MISSION
The IHMS shall contribute to the
University and the College of Engineering missions in the following ways:
| 1. |
Provide
education, training, research, and service to improve the technological
resource pools of the people in the state of North Carolina and the
nation. |
| 2. |
Provide
an avenue for NCA&T visibility through international conferences,
participation in international programs, and research collaboration with
government, industry, and other universities. |
| 3. |
Provide
quality education to the students through laboratory projects brought
about by research programs such as mentoring undergraduate students in
research, and using research findings as case studies. |
College of Engineering and
University
IHMS brings a unique opportunity
for collaboration, interdisciplinary and multi-disciplinary concepts to both the
College of Engineering and the University. This interaction is as follows:
Electrical
Engineering:
Image and
signal processing, control theory, and telecommunication engineering.
Computer Science:
Software engineering.
Industrial Engineering:
Human factors, management, manufacturing engineering, and human-computer
interface (HCI).
Mechanical Engineering:
Aerospace engineering (flight handling, aviation, and space human factors) and
biomechanics.
Business School:
Industrial management and transportation human factors.
School of Technology:
Occupational safety program.Nursing School and Physical Education: Human factors
in health care management, virtual nursing practice, energy and workload
modeling for university sports programs.
College of Arts &
Sciences:
Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, and Sociology have
strong influences on visual information processing, human physiology, and social
network theories for human-computer interaction models.
School of Education:
Shall participate in research and development of advanced concepts for training
and human usability studies of technology.
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The IHMS Research Focus
Cognitive Engineering and
Human-Computer Interaction:
This deals with the design, analysis, and
evaluation of modalities in which the humans interact with the technology-driven
systems. Among these are adapted human sensory modalities, such as tactile
interface, speech, and audition, as well as variations and interactions of these
modalities. Emerging technologies such as virtual reality and internet
interaction protocols are envisioned to be the major research core.
Ergonometrics and Human
Performance:
This deals with the use of mathematical and system analysis
tools to develop metrics to quantify human performance in a joint human-machine
system. Methods for using human signals in a non intrusive manner shall be a
major focus.
Transportation Human Factors:
We shall enhance our research capabilities in space, land, and aviation human
factors. Six years of research experience has been accumulated through various
grants from NASA-CAR, NASA Langley, NASA-Ames, and the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA).The
major research thrusts shall be on automation failures, risk analysis, and
safety.
Health Care and
Bioengineering:
This is perceived as a Piedmont-Triad community-based
program. We hope to start a research program in health care delivery,
bioengineering, and rehabilitation engineering to support the population cohorts
of the community. Our emphasis shall be on the use of information technology in
improving health care delivery and training systems.
Human Factors and Information
Systems:
This research program shall be designed to use the existing
expertise in software engineering from the Computer Science Department,
management and manufacturing systems engineering programs in the Industrial
Engineering Department, and telecommunication program in the Electrical
Engineering Department, respectively. We shall develop a strong research program
on Information Assurance and Enterprise Systems Information models. These
research programs are relatively new in the United States of America.
Education and Training Research
on Information, Technology, and People:
As the work place is becoming
more automated by the use of technology, the less we have the human skills,
capabilities, and knowledge to cope with these changes. The IHMS shall embark on
developing continuous short and long-term training materials to support our
local community and the industries. Research efforts shall focus on using
emerging technologies for training, and instructional deliveries. We hope to
offer an education certificate and/or degree programs as the Institute matures.
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