Recent developments in robot technology allows robots to handle more and more tasks that previously were only possible for humans. There are robots that are able to vacuum your house or mow the grass; there are self-driving vehicles, or even drones which sends packages through the air. Robots are all around us.
Topics: The Observer XT, robotics, human-robot interaction, robot assisted surgery
On April 2, 2017 it was World Autism Awareness Day. An important annual moment to raise awareness on this developmental disorder and all its associated difficulties, and especially the opportunities out there for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Since the event’s inception in 2008, autism awareness and research around the world has increased as a result.
Topics: The Observer XT, video observation, ASD, autism, social communication
What does music trigger? What emotions arise as people listen to music or watch a music video? Happiness, sadness, disgust or appreciation perhaps? It depends whether people like or dislike the music, or what they prefer. Personally, hard rock music is a genre I strongly dislike. On the other hand, I can become very happy by hearing a certain pop song.
Topics: FaceReader, facial expression analysis, emotions, music
The biennial International Convention of Psychological Science is fast approaching, and will be held on March 23-25 in the beautiful city Vienna, Austria! Take your chance to connect with the world’s foremost leaders in psychological science and related disciplines, including neuroscience, genetics, sociology, economics, anthropology, linguistics, and many others. Here are six reasons why you really ought to attend.
Topics: The Observer XT, FaceReader, Viso, video recording, conferences, psychology, 2017
Now and then, we all feel afraid to some extent. For example, imagine when thunder nearby strikes hard, or when you’re in a dark, small room and you don’t know how to get out, or when you think you’ve gotten lost.
Topics: The Observer XT, anxiety research, child development, social anxiety, Theory of Mind, shyness
Three times I have experienced how it feels to hold my newborn baby in my arms. To feel that warm, small, naked body on top of you, the baby that is yours and grew inside you…that is probably the most precious gift I have ever experienced.
The little baby that just left the warm space it has spent all those months, and now exposed to the outside world - the only thing he or she needs is to feel safe with his or her mother or father.
Topics: The Observer XT, video observation, parent-child interaction, eye-contact, kangaroo positioning, safety
A few weeks ago I posted a blog about observation and usability labs. But that isn’t the only way to observe in a laboratory setting – our systems are also well suited for use in simulation labs.
A simulation lab enables researchers to develop realistic scenarios to study a range of human-system interactions in a controlled environment. It provides a lifelike point-of-care learning experience for undergraduate and graduate students, specialists, and experts. By conducting training sessions, students in the lab develop and maintain knowledge, skills, and competencies such as interviewing skills, working with certain equipment, teamwork procedures, and so on.
Topics: The Observer XT, simulation, Viso, medical simulation, simulation-based training, patient safety, quality of care, teamwork, skillstraining
Everyone is unique; everyone behaves differently. What is more fun than sitting somewhere - on a park bench, at a cafe, or on a terrace, and watching people go by? Postures, movements, nonverbal and verbal behavior - all can be observed.
Topics: Observation lab, usability lab, psychology, ux lab, Observational research, controlled observations, usability testing
Nowadays we often come across signs or printed versions of funny, motivational, and inspirational quotes about our homes. You’ll probably confirm this for yourself: we’ve all seen a postcard, a doormat, or a picture in a magazine with sentences like: ‘Home is where the heart is’, ‘Home is where you can be yourself’ or ‘Home sweet home’. A funny one I like is ‘Home is where your Wi-Fi connects automatically’. We also read listings which convince us that ‘in this house we are real, we make mistakes, we say I’m sorry, we have fun, we forgive, we love’ and so on.
Topics: The Observer XT, video observation, autism research, video recording, coding behavior, ASD, autism
Coming back from my first Measuring Behavior (MB) conference, a number of colleagues asked me how it was - did I enjoy myself, and would I write a blog about it? So here I am, overwhelmed by all the information I received during my two days at the conference, but clueless as to what to write about my experience. Where do I start, which things would I like to highlight, and what struck me the most?
Topics: FaceReader, tracking, human behavior research, measuring behavior, conferences, lifelogging, non-intrusive measurements
