Virtual Realtiy

To research human-machine interaction, our chair operates a VR lab where we investigate interactions with future technologies in a realistic and safe manner. Our focus includes the collaboration between humans and robots, as well as the interaction between automated vehicles and pedestrians in complex traffic situations.

We use Unity 3D as our central development environment for the development and execution of our studies. This allows us to create virtual scenarios and environments in which participants can act, make decisions, and interact with intelligent systems in controlled yet immersive settings. For example, this enables us to prototypically implement and systematically evaluate communication and cooperation concepts, new forms of display and feedback (e.g., visual cues in the environment), and different behavioral strategies of automated systems.

Our hardware includes several VR headsets, such as the HTC Vive Pro, Varjo Aero, and HTC Vive Elite, to meet varying requirements for resolution, field of view, tracking, and comfort depending on the application. This allows us to conduct both highly immersive experiments in the lab and flexible setups for diverse research questions.

The applications range from evaluating interaction and communication concepts and analyzing trust, acceptance, and subjective safety to investigating behavioral and decision-making processes in dynamic, ambiguous situations. In this way, our VR lab creates a powerful foundation for testing human-centered technologies early on and improving their design based on evidence.