Research

Computer Science and Visual Technologies

The Living Environments Laboratory utilizes advanced computer technologies including a virtual reality CAVE^™ to conduct experiments. While the complexity of this research tool provides us with the power to conduct complex experiments, the tool itself is an area of interest as we continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in visualization technologies. In order to utilize the CAVE^™ most effectively to achieve our research goals we must understand the tools with which we make discoveries. With our exceptional team of computer scientists, the LEL has already published research in the area of computer science with a focus on human-computer interaction, perception, and information processing.

Human Behavior

We are interested in unraveling the mystery of human behavior. Currently we are focusing on human behaviors in both virtual and physical spaces. We strive to understand the differences in behavior between these two mediums and how observations of human behavioral patterns in a virtual environment can be applied to our real world physical environment. By doing this we can learn how our behaviors affect daily human life. Through this understanding we gain insight into what kinds of devices should be implemented and behaviors which can be learned to improve human quality of life.

Imagination

Imagination is the frontier of innovation. It allows us to explore and dream new ideas. In the LEL, we are interested in stimulating the imagination of researchers and designers to inspire innovation.

Growing Home Healthcare Need

Almost half of all Americans have a chronic illness. By 2020, that number is projected to reach an estimated 157 million people, with a cost of $470 billion annually. In an effort to decrease health care costs, especially in the management of chronic illness, care has been shifted away from hospitals and into the home. In addition, an aging baby boomer population seeks alternatives to clinics and hospitalization in an effort to retain independence in daily life. This has created a need for innovative applications of information technology to create personal care tools, which will allow individuals to monitor health conditions and take healthy action at home. Researchers designing these devices would therefore benefit from testing their designs in home environments. The LEL aims to facilitate the steady shift of health care from hospital to home by accelerating the development and deployment of care and diagnostic technologies that meet evolving expectations for access and personalization and are rugged and unobtrusive enough to survive (and even encourage) use in a new venue, the home. In our virtual reality CAVE^™ interactive home environments are created for testing of these designs.