News

LEARNER (Learning Environments with Augmentation and Robotics for Next-gen Emergency Responders) is a mixed-reality learning environment with physical, augmented and virtual reality components for users to learn to work effectively with nascent human augmentation technologies. This new learning environment will feature powered exoskeletons and head-worn augmented reality interfaces to augment responders’ physical and cognitive capabilities.

More details on the project can be found at the LEARNER project page and with the Texas A&M Media coverage

The new Aggie Challenge team will undertake R&D efforts to develop a wearable personalized closed-loop neurotechnology (using read and write brain imaging (fNIRS) and modulation (tDCS) techniques) aimed at effectively augmenting human performance in critical and complex environments. More here at N-HANCE

The NeuroErgonomics Lab received funding from NSF on developing and evaluating iPAL (Intelligent Pervasive Augmented reaLity therapy) for Opioid Use Disorder and Recovery. This project will develop intelligent Pervasive Augmented reaLity therapies (iPAL) – a technology-enabled OUD intervention that aims to help OUD sufferers manage their cravings to reduce their risk for relapse or overdose. iPAL integrates complementary psychotherapies (cognitive behavioral therapy and heart rate variability biofeedback) with immersive technologies (augmented and mixed reality) that will offer convenience, discretion in use, in the moment/real-time through personalized strategies. This work is poised to revolutionize how individuals learn, discover, create, and heal in the broader context of developing treatment strategies for those with OUD.

Yibo Zhu received the award for his work ““Exploring Neuroergonomic Fit of Passive Exoskeleton during Simulated Manual Material Handling Task”. Congrats Yibo!

Sponsored by CNA Insurance, this award recognizes achievements in ergonomics application or research, including process improvement, education, applied instrumentation and product development as submitted for presentation in a poster or oral presentation at the Applied Ergonomics Conference.

Sponsor: NASEM

Overview: Traditionally, safety culture is measured with a lengthy annual employee survey. Survey methodology is fraught with limitations including low response rates, considerable time required to summarize and interpret data, and failure to capture meaningful changes between surveys. This project aims to develop and test field-friendly measurement tools, including experience sampling methodology and wearable devices; and to design, develop, and evaluate the value of a dashboard called EMPOWER (Evaluate, Measure, Promote Offshore Worker Engagement and Readiness). The EMPOWER dashboard will display worker psychological (safety culture) and physiological (lack of fatigue or readiness) data on an interactive interface that supervisors can access daily to support organizational decision making. The research team will evaluate the extent to which supervisors value and anticipate using such previously unavailable data in real time; as well as the data’s impact on hypothetical offshore scenario-based decision-making.

Collaborators: Payne, Sasangohar

We are excited to welcome our newest PhD students! Learn more about them in “People”!

Our lab is hosting a AggiE-Challenge UG team to develop a wearable neurotechnology to enhance performance in altered gravity environments! Interested UG students can contact Dr. Mehta for more details or read here: https://engineering.tamu.edu/academics/aggie-challenge/courses/ENGR-491-524.html

 

We received a one-year grant from OESI on expanding our fatigue research in offshore and onshore oil and gas operations. This grant will focus on developing field-friendly tools to assess and manage fatigue in high-risk scenarios. More info under Research (Predictive health and safety -> FRAME).

We received a four-year multi-institution grant from NSF CISE Directorate on “Augmenting Human Cognition with Collaborative Robots”! More info can be found under Research -> HRI ->AMELIA!

The NeuroErgonomics Lab in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at the Texas A&M University is seeking a highly motivated post-doctoral fellow for Fall 2019 or Spring 2020 with a strong background in neuroscience or neural engineering, who is interested in HCI and HRI applications. Research in the NeuroErgonomics Lab utilizes theories, methods, and techniques from physiology, biomechanics, neuroscience, engineering, and psychology to better understand, monitor, and augment human health and safety in high-risk environments. The fellow will lead a portfolio of NSF-funded studies on conducting ambulatory brain imaging during HRI/HCI and developing closed-loop Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) for high-risk work applications (e.g., emergency response, space exploration).

Qualifications:

Interested candidates should have obtained a Ph.D. degree by the start date.

• Our research is multi-disciplinary and inclusive, applicants may have engineering, kinesiology, or neuroscience backgrounds.
• Knowledge and experience in at least one of the following brain imaging (preferably fNIRS) or stimulation (tDCS/TMS) techniques
• Strong programming and computational skills
• A strong track record of peer-reviewed publications and presentations
• The ideal candidate will have proven talent to work independently with excellent interpersonal, communication, and mentoring skills

To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, statement of research interest, and names and contact information for two references who can be contacted for letters of recommendation to Dr. Ranjana Mehta at rmehta at tamu dot edu