Research and Development
The WIVW is specialized on problems concerning "human factors". The intention is to design a harmonious interaction of human beings and technical systems. Therefore, we work on the following topics:
- Easy and error-tolerant handling of technical systems (cognitive ergonomics)
- Efficient and comfortable accomplishment of tasks by the operator
Examples of recent research in the area of traffic sciences:
- Which information about the road, the traffic and the vehicle have to be suspended, filtered or enforced to achieve highest level of safety and comfort?
- How can additional tasks (e.g. communication via telephone) be integrated in vehicles without reducing traffic safety?
- How can the state of the driver be detected? If a driver has reduced vigilance or if the driver is sleepy, how can his performance be improved?
- Which consequences result from increasing automation, if the driver has to be less active but instead has to monitor the functioning of driver assistant systems?
- What design elements of roads improve traffic safety?
The WIVW offers a broad range of scientific methods for treating different research topics:
- Experiments using real vehicles on public roads or on test tracks.
- Experiments in driving simulators.
- Psycho-physiological measurements (ECG, EEG, eye closure level)
You can find more information on our technical equipment in the section Technical equipment.