Department of Human-Cyber-Physical Systems (HCPS)
Welcome to the Human-Cyber-Physical Systems (HCPS) department.
The Sustainable, people-centred industry of the future is achieved by a complex combination of
- People (Human, H),
- digital cyber systems (Cyber, C), which work on the basis of new digital technologies and artificial intelligence, for example, and
- physical-technical machines and production facilities (Physical System, P)
For the successful development of Human-Cyber-Physical Systems (HCPS) is Transdisciplinary research and work This is necessary so that the findings and strengths of the individual disciplines can be profitably combined in specific applications. In basic research, technical development and concrete operational realisation, the following should be taken into account the focus is on people with their expertise and needs stand. Human cognitive abilities and their transparent formalisation represent a very important building block in order to Technical assistance and automation solutions meaningful and responsible and thus sustainable design .
The department comprises transdisciplinary expertise and is at the interface of Psychology, computer science and mechanical engineering is based at the University of Applied Sciences. In basic and application-orientated research, it deals with issues that require a Human-centred design of HCPS and consistently focus on a Systemic, sustainable and resource-efficient production of the future are aligned.
The Research work of the department provide theoretical and methodological insights that for various technical application fields and issues can be used.
These include, for example The support of multi-criteria decisions in surface technology, the cognition-based design of human-AI technology systems, research into new assistance and automation solutions such as human-machine teaming or the promotion of resource-efficient and sustainable action through human-centred measures.
The Department co-operates closely with further university and non-university research and industry partners in order to Knowledge transfer to make this possible.
The Current research foci of the department include the following topics and key questions:
(1) Cognitive engineering:
- Human expertise and cognitive skills are essential for innovative research, technological development and industrial value creation.
- Examples of research questions: How can technical domain knowledge be collected, systematically described and digitised in a human-centric and sustainable way? Which levels of knowledge can be differentiated? What strategies do experts use in their knowledge domain to solve problems and make decisions? How can expert strategies be implemented in adaptive systems and also be used to empower other people?
(2) Knowledge-assisting visualisations:
- Complex technical processes and artificial intelligence algorithms must be task-specific and adapted to the level of human knowledge. Genuine human-centricity therefore requires a minimum level of comprehensibility and transparency, which can be realised through knowledge-assisting representations, among other things.
- Examples of research questions: How can data, information and knowledge be presented in a cognitive and human-centred way? Which psychological principles are important for the design of interfaces and interactions when complex processes and multi-layered questions are to be visualised?
(3) Cognitive decision support and human-machine teaming:
- Complex decision-making, problem-solving and planning processes should be supported by powerful digital technology. Viable concepts for new assistance and automation solutions need to be developed for this purpose.
- Examples of research questions: Can and should technology become a "team partner" for humans? Which characteristics of successful human-human teams can be transferred to human-cyber teams and which cannot? How can human work teams be cognitively supported in their interaction with cyber-physical systems?
(4) Sustainability through technology acceptance and user research:
- New technologies and human-centred measures, e.g. for sustainable, resource-conserving action in everyday production, are only successful if they are understood, accepted and implemented by people in their mode of action.
- Examples of research questions: What acceptance requirements are there on the user side to ensure that hydrogen-based technologies such as H2 pedelecs are used successfully and safely? What systemic approaches and people-centred measures enable stakeholders to implement sustainability goals in their concrete work?
Among other things, the following Methods and further developed:
- Observation methods, interviews and psychological experiments as well as user studies
- Cognitive task analyses, methods for determining (team) situation awareness and mental workload
- Eye movement measurement and pupillometry using eye tracking
- Combined data- and knowledge-based modelling of technical processes (e.g. for multi-criteria decisions and optimisation issues) using artificial intelligence methods
The research provides theoretical and methodological findings that can be used for various technical application fields. For example, to support multi-criteria decisions in thermal coating. To this end, the department works closely with other university and non-university research and industrial partners.
Projects
Project partners
Associated partners
- Fraunhofer IWU Chemnitz
- Continental AG
- secuvera GmbH, BSI-certified IT security service provider and test centre
- Aumann AG, special machines and production lines for electromobility
- CBS Information Technologies AG
- SITEC Industrietechnologie GmbH
- IAOV, Institute for Work, Organisation and Transport Research GmbH
- Saxeed, founder network
- Vitesco Technologies GmbH
Sponsor
Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)
Runtime
July 2019 until March 2023
Description of the
The aim of the project is to develop a technology-oriented range of services and software for the development and realisation of cognition-based interfaces for human-technology interaction (KoMTI). KoMTI will map cognitive-psychological findings (e.g. on understanding and decision-making processes) with machine learning algorithms that are as transparent and powerful as possible in order to enable a new quality of interaction between humans and (partially) autonomous technical/digital systems. The project follows the guiding principle of helpful technology that supports human self-determination and does not control or restrict it. KoMTI is aimed at product developers from the application areas of "intelligent mobility" and "digital society". It addresses new issues, such as the user-centred design of automated driving functions (e.g. in terms of driving comfort) or the optimisation of individual interaction with digital products such as apps (e.g. with regard to interaction errors, data and privacy security). The result of the project is a modular KoMTI method kit and a process strategy for the development and realisation of human-friendly interaction interfaces in complex human-technology systems.
Project demonstrator
Publications and conference papers
Heubeck, L., Hartwich, F., & Bocklisch, F. (2023). To Share or Not to Share-Expected Transportation Mode Changes Given Different Types of Fully Automated Vehicles . Sustainability , 15 (6), 5056.
Kreißig, I., & Bocklisch, F. (2022). Knowledge matters! - Exploring Drivers and Barriers in the Acceptance of FCEVs as a Sustainable Mobility Solution . Paper presented at the 2nd FC³ Fuel Cell Conference Chemnitz, Chemnitz, Germany
Assarzadeh, R., Hartwich, F., Vitay, J. & Bocklisch, F. (2020). Discomfort detection in autonomous driving using artificial neural networks . In C. Dobel, C. Giesen, L. A. Grigutsch, J. M. Kaufmann, G. Kovács, F. Meissner, K. Rothermund, & S. R. Schweinberger (Eds.), TeaP 2020 - Abstracts of the 62nd Conference of Experimental Psychologists (p. 18). Lengerich: Pabst Science Publishers.
Bocklisch, F., Drehmann, R., & Lampke, T. (2020). Cognition-based human-technology interaction in cyber-physical systems using the application example of „thermal spraying“ . MONARCH TU Chemnitz
Bocklisch, F., Kutschmann, P., Drehmann, R., & Lamke, T. (2020). A cognition-based human-machine interaction approach for thermal spraying . In C. Dobel, C. Giesen, L. A. Grigutsch, J. M. Kaufmann, G. Kovács, F. Meissner, K. Rothermund, & S. R. Schweinberger (Eds.), TeaP 2020 - Abstracts of the 62nd Conference of Experimental Psychologists. Lengerich: Pabst Science Publishers
Project partners
Sponsor
Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)
Runtime
July 2023 to June 2025
Description of the
The REDUCE project aims to significantly reduce resource consumption in industrial production. It thus addresses the significant share of this sector in the national consumption of resources such as energy (currently approx. 70%) and contributes to (inter)national efforts to make industry more resource-efficient, which is urgently needed in light of the current climate crisis. This goal is achieved through a transdisciplinary approach that combines technology-related digitalisation and efficient automation solutions with a consistently human-centred technology design that enables users to act in a resource-efficient manner in production. In line with this approach, the work plan envisages two complementary analytical approaches, which will be brought together in specific design solutions. On the one hand, modern sensor and measurement technology will be used to create a comprehensive database of all technical parameters relevant to resource consumption at various levels of production, on the basis of which specific potential savings will be identified. On the other hand, a comprehensive process analysis systematically describes the work and process sequences of human actors, from which options for action to reduce consumption are derived. Measures to reduce resource consumption are developed in a systemic view of both analyses and implemented in the form of a demonstrator. The project provides reliable findings on the potential for saving resources in the manufacturing industry through human-centred energy management and information systems. The results have high transfer potential and can be utilised in commercial applications close to industry in addition to scientific dissemination. The transdisciplinary approach of the project is made possible by a consortium with partners from technology and production, visualistics and psychology.
Project management and contact person
Dr habil. Franziska Bocklisch
Publications and conference papers
Morgenstern, T., Reuter, C., Gleich, S., Lapczyna, E., Thiele, V., Lampke, T., & Bocklisch, F. (2025). Development of a cognition-based interface for human-technology interaction to promote energy-efficient behaviour in the production context . Gesellschaft für Arbeitswissenschaft e.V. Sankt Augustin (ed.), Work 5.0: Human-centred innovations for the future of work (pp. 192-197). GfA Press. ISBN: 978-3-936804-36-2.
Morgenstern, T., Reuter, C., Gleich, S., Lapczyna, E., Thiele, V., Lampke, T., & Bocklisch, F. (2025). Supporting energy-efficient behaviour through human-centered digitalisation in industrial manufacturing: A transdisciplinary approach . 24th Materials Technology Colloquium, 02-03 April 2025, Chemnitz, Germany.
Dealing with the social challenges in the area of
Intelligent industry
requires broad transdisciplinary co-operation between different specialist disciplines, research institutions and industrial partners.
The series of events
Transdisciplinary dialogue: Humans, technology and AI
will shed light on the interaction between humans, technology and artificial intelligence (AI) from the various perspectives of the specialised sciences. In short presentations, invited speakers will address the humanities, social sciences, humanities and STEM-orientated perspectives and provide impetus on specific topics for the subsequent discussion.
events
Speakers
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Dr Norbert Huchler (ISF, Munich):
Socially sustainable design of the division of labour between humans and AI
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Dr Marcel Todtermuschke (Fraunhofer IWU, Chemnitz):
Challenges in the programming of body shop systems
-
Dr Mohamad Bdiwi (Fraunhofer IWU, Chemnitz):
From fear to trust in the context of human-heavy-duty robot interaction
Speakers
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Dr Rudolf Seising (Deutsches Museum, Munich):
I think and maybe you think, but it doesn't think! The forgotten stories of AI
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Dr Uwe Haass (Roboconsult, Munich):
Roadmap AI: perspectives for education and research using the example of robotics
Contact person
