Additionally, we have access to six laboratories, which are mainly used for experiments in the field of psychology.

Details

The laboratories in brief

The laboratories each have a base area of 12 m². They are equipped with computer workstations on which the experiments are operated. If required, additional data from eye trackers or physiological measurements can be recorded simultaneously. Video projectors allow the presentation of experiments.

How do we work within the laboratories?

In most cases, our research in here takes place in form of individual experiments with one proband and one test supervisor being present. The test persons are thereby exposed to stimuli to which they have to respond. These can be simple impulses like pictures or words as well as complex situations like the simulation of a driving situation. Along with this can go measurements of physiological features in order to detect for instance the test persons' stress while performing the task. By means of the computer workstations the data can be obtained and processed.

Image 1: Controll of an experiment (left), Image 2: Stimulus-response-test (right)

What is being researched?

These laboratories are mainly used for psychological experiments. The spectrum thereby reaches from simple stimulus-response-experiments up to elaborate simulations of a real environment, whereby the test persons' reactions are recorded.
For instance, we can examine how drivers read information signs, for example on the autobahn, and how they thereupon make a quick decision about their potential route. Research concerning the human-machine-interface also takes place in these laboratories. We can for instance show videos, which the test persons watch and signal at the push of a button whether and how fast they detect pedestrians within the picture. Research like this plays an important role in the development of driver assistant systems.