Research Projects
Multidisciplinary Research
Research projects undertaken by the Human Systems Integration Laboratory (HSIL) include areas such as improving patient care, game-based reality in advanced manufacturing, ambulance-based telemedicine, support for aging in place, and risk assessment in power generation infrastructure. We partner with national and regional agencies, including the National Science Foundation and the South Carolina Telehealth Alliance, plus research groups within colleges at Clemson University.
The Future of Aviation Inspection: Artificial Intelligence and Mixed Reality as Agents of Transformation
Funding Agency: National Science Foundation
Funded by the NSF Future of Work at the Human-Technology Frontier: Core Research Program, this project focuses on integrating AI and XR technologies to enhance aviation maintenance and fleet safety. The project's objectives include assessing risks and developing mitigation strategies, integrating these technologies into intelligent work systems for enhanced inspections across various groups, designing evidence-based paradigms to improve human-AI team performance, and evaluating the economic and workforce implications of this integration.
Collaborators: Christopher Flathmann, Ryan Goertzen, Devon Gorry, Karen Johnson, Damon Lercel, John Leganz, Mica Endsley, Crystal Maguire, Nathan McNeese, Gaurav Nanda, Manoj Patankar, Carlos Toxtli, Christy Zhou
Resource Collaborative for Immersive Technologies
Funding Agency: National Science Foundation
Funded by a $1.45 million grant from the National Science Foundation, the Resource Collaborative for Immersive Technologies project is dedicated to driving evidence-based integration of XR technology in education and collaborative work environments. This initiative seeks to leverage the capabilities of XR technologies, such as virtual, augmented, and mixed reality, through rigorous evidence-based research for designing, developing and analyzing training systems. The project will utilize the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research as its guiding framework. Key objectives include identifying factors influencing XR adoption, empowering users, establishing a knowledge hub, and reshaping the landscape of learning and work.
Collaborators: Sudeep Hegde
Revolutionizing the Future of Aviation Maintenance: Navigating the Complexities of a New Aviation Maintenance Ecosystem
Funding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
The aim of this project, funded by a $600K grant from NASA, is to develop an aviation maintenance ecosystem designed specifically for urban mobility and electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOLs). Focused research efforts will address the distinctive maintenance challenges posed by eVTOLs operating within urban environments.
Collaborators: Jonathan Beck, Anand Gramopadhye, Karen Johnson, Stephen Ley, Crustal McGuire, Zachary Nicklin, Rebecca Short
Realizing improved patient care through human-centered design for pediatric mental and behavioral health in the emergency department
Funding Agency: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
The care of pediatric patients with mental and behavioral health (MBH) conditions in emergency departments (EDs) is hampered by poorly designed workflows and inadequate resources. This project, supported by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, aims to develop and implement human-centered work systems in EDs that prioritize the needs of pediatric MBH patients and promote safe, efficient, and effective care. The project team will use a systems engineering approach to analyze workflows, design interventions, and evaluate outcomes.
Collaborators: Anjali Joseph, Meera Narasimhan, Ann Dietrich, Kevin Taaffe, David Neyens, Heidi Zinzow, and Veronica Parker
Collaborative Research: Revolutionizing Electric Vehicle Education
Funding Agency: National Science Foundation
This project aims to design, develop, deploy, and thoroughly evaluate an extended reality (XR) system to support electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing and maintenance education. By integrating the latest technological advancements and educational methods, it seeks to transform EV production and upkeep processes. The project promotes innovation, creativity, and evidence-based practices to improve workforce capabilities and preparedness for current and future EV sector challenges. Emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration and XR technology use, the initiative aims to develop a skilled, knowledgeable, and flexible workforce, driving the EV industry towards greater efficiency, sustainability, and excellence.
Collaborators: Robert Elliott, Rebecca Short
Human factors considerations in the design and implementation of telemedicine-integrated ambulance-based environments for stroke care
Funding Agency: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
This research project, funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), focused on investigating the impact of ambulance-based telemedicine in stroke care. The study aims to address two main objectives: i) to understand the cognitive, physical, and temporal demands placed on caregiving teams in remote, geographically dispersed locations and ii) to evaluate the potential for user/design errors that can occur in the utilization of information technology systems in high-stress environments. By implementing ambulance-based telemedicine, the goal is to increase the speed and accuracy of stroke consultations and improve the triage process, ultimately reducing the time between first provider contact and definitive therapy.
Collaborators: Anjali Joseph, Nathan McNeese, James McElligott, Christine Holmstedt and Suparna Qanungo
EAGER: CHS: Examining self-harm and suicide contagion risks of viral social media challenges on youth and young adults
Funding Agency: National Science Foundation
This project, funded by the National Science Foundation, comprehensively examined young adults’ exposure to viral self-harm online challenges. The goal of this research was to understand the extent of young adults’ engagement in such challenges and the factors that influence their participation. The findings from this project have led to the development of theoretical and quantitative models that characterize the nature and spread of harmful online challenges on social media. The outcomes of this research have contributed to a better understanding of the potential consequences of such challenges and inform future efforts to prevent their spread.
Collaborators: Heidi Zinzow, Meera Narasimhan, Pamela Wisniewski, Laura Whitlock and Krishnasree Achuthan
