Labs and Equipment
Driving Simulator
Modern vehicles are increasingly equipped with technology, making the safe and comfortable interaction between humans and technology in vehicles an important research subject, which can be studied under controlled conditions in the driving simulator. The Chair of General Psychology I and Human Factors operates a static driving simulator from System Technologies Inc., model STISIM Drive 100W, at the Erfenschlag site. The driving simulator is controlled using the steering wheel, gas, and brake pedals of a BMW 5 Series (E39, automatic). The simulation provides a 135° projection of the traffic scenario onto three projection screens, each measuring 220 cm x 200 cm.
Technical Data for the STISIM Drive 100W Simulator
Manufacturer/Model:
- Simulation software: STISIM Drive, Model 100W, Version 2.10.03, System Technologies Inc. Vehicle: BMW 5 Series (E39, automatic)
Features/Functions:
- 135° field of view
- Recording of all driving parameters at 60 Hz
- Open-module interface for programming custom functions and integrating additional sensors/outputs
- Interactive and configurable surrounding traffic
- Object database for vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, houses, signs, trees, etc., with the option to add custom 3D objects
- Simple scripting language for scenario construction with extensively configurable parameters for all objects (appearance, dynamic behavior, situation-dependent reactions)
Applications:
- Human-technology interaction, driver behavior, driver distraction, driver state, eye-tracking, driver assistance systems, vehicle automation
More Info:
Applications
The driving simulator enables precise and damage-free studies of potentially safety-critical behavior such as driver distraction from smartphone use or reactions to critical events. Situations (e.g., crossing pedestrians) can be created precisely and reproducibly, allowing studies on the behavior of different drivers under various conditions. In addition to precise driving data such as brake reaction times, additional sensors can provide insight into the driver's state, such as eye-tracking, physiological parameters (e.g., heart rate), and body movements recorded with motion tracking systems.
Eyetracker
At the Chair of General Psychology I and Human Factors, research primarily focuses on basic research using a stationary eye-tracking system. The system records 120 frames per second, capturing both the duration and location of fixations, as well as saccade lengths and changes in pupil size. Eye-tracking glasses with a mobile recording unit (smartphone) are primarily used for applied research in dynamic contexts outside the lab, allowing full freedom of movement.
Technical Data for the SMI iViewX RED120 and SMI ETG2 120 Hz
Manufacturer/Model:
- Stationary Eyetracker RED120 (Remote Eyetracking Device) from SMI
- Mobile Eyetracker (glasses) ETG2 120Hz from SMI
Features/Functions:
- Contactless, automatic correction of head movements
- RED infrared sensors for both eyes
- Accuracy: 0.5°
- Field of view: ± 30° horizontal / 22.5° vertical
- Experimental, recording, and analysis software
- Open communication interface via Ethernet (UDP)
- 135° field of view
- Binocular infrared cameras for gaze capture in mobile glasses
- Accuracy: 0.5°
- Wireless live preview and control
- Three recorder options (laptop, tablet, smartphone), 6D head-tracking module
- SMI Software Development Kit (SMI SDK) with wireless data transfer
Applications
Research with the stationary device focuses primarily on memory processes and diagnostic reasoning, made visible through eye movements. The system can also be used for usability research, such as evaluating websites. The mobile glasses are used in contexts with larger relevant fields of view, such as driving studies in simulators/real traffic or field usability studies. Gaze shifts and attention plays a significant role in safety research and human-technology interaction.
Wearable Devices
The Chair of General Psychology I and Human Factors uses wearable devices in both traffic psychology and industrial psychology. The focus is on human-technology interaction and state determination from a psychological perspective using smartwatches. Custom apps are used to make full use of the devices for measurements and information display.
Technical Data for Samsung Gear S3 and Microsoft Band 2
Manufacturer/Model:
- Samsung Gear S3
- Microsoft Band 2
Applications
Smartwatches are used in various ways in our research. We investigate their potential to support increasing digitization and automation in industrial contexts. The devices can be used to provide information to workers as well as to determine their state from a psychological perspective. In vehicles, wearables can assess the driver's mental state and adapt vehicle behavior, information presentation, or warnings in a personalized and context-sensitive manner.
Motion Capture
Motion capture allows for precise recording of movements of any kind to analyze and process them. The Chair of General Psychology I and Human Factors uses a marker-based motion capture system from OptiTrack with 4 Flex 13 cameras for medium to small-scale motion capture. The mobile system is used, for example, in the driving simulator to accurately record head, hand, and body movements of drivers.
Applications
Motion capture is currently used in driving studies to precisely capture head, hand, and body movements of drivers. Other applications include usability studies involving interactions with technical devices, pedestrian crossing behavior analysis, and analysis of small-scale movements such as gestures.
Vehicles
To investigate user experience and behavior with electric vehicles, the department conducts several real-world driving studies. A BMW i3 and two Smart ED vehicles are available for this purpose. The studies focus on topics such as experienced range anxiety, energy-efficient driving behavior, and the evaluation of range displays in electric vehicles.
Technische Daten
| BMW i3 | Smart ED for two | |
| Range: | up to 160 km | up to 145 km |
| Battery: | 33 kWh 353 V Lithium-lonen | Lithium-Ionen-Battery with 17,6 kWh |
| Characteristics: |
125 bis 135 kW Access to CAN bus data is possible |
55kW (75 PS) Equipped with data loggers for recording driving data |
Applications
In the field of e-mobility and transport research, the vehicles are used to conduct field experiments and driving studies. The Smart ED cars are also part of a multimodal sharing system connected to public transport and electric bicycles. In addition to studies specific to electric vehicles, research can also address questions related to automated driving, the handling of secondary tasks, and distraction behavior.
Vehicle and Driving Data Logger
The Stack DVR3-440 data logger with 4 cameras, GPS, and CAN interface is designed for data recording under challenging conditions such as vibration, high forces, and large temperature/light fluctuations.
Applications
At the Chair, the Stack DVR3-440 data logger is used for real-world driving studies, especially for longer trips and when CAN data needs to be recorded.
