Blog

This week, we successfully conducted a data collection at the IFM – Institute for Driver Assistance and Connected Mobility at Hochschule Kempten, focusing on human factors in highly automated driving and e-mobility.

After weeks of preparation—including fine-tuning the dynamic driving simulator, programming scenarios, refining the experimental design, and developing cognitive assessment questionnaires—we were finally able to put our study into action. With 30 participants, we gathered valuable insights, gained new experiences, and learned countless lessons.

A huge thank you to everyone involved, from the dedicated team working behind the scenes to our participants who filled out questionnaires, let us attach electrodes, and tested our driving scenarios. Your support made this possible!

We are now looking forward to the next round of data collection in March. If you're from the Allgäu/Memmingen region and would like to take part, feel free to reach out—it’s an experience worth your time!

We’re pleased to share that our latest study on this topic has been published in Heliyon. In this study, we investigated how personal investment and individual differences—such as working memory capacity and personality traits—affect the perceived need for Explainable AI (XAI). 

XAI is becoming increasingly relevant in ensuring that AI systems are transparent, trustworthy, and aligned with human needs. This research highlights the importance of personal relevance in shaping expectations of AI systems and offers a new perspective by incorporating personality traits and cognitive functions into the discussion of XAI.

We would like to thank all co-authors for their outstanding contributions to this project! We look forward to engaging in discussions about these findings and exploring future collaborations in this exciting area of research. Read the full article here.

We celebrate the book release of "The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Societies" (Springer) in Qatar. We hope that the book will be a guide for the study of the emergent research field dealing with topics around AI & Society. We thank all other authors for their contribution to this publication!

The DigiTank project officially kicked off at Evos Hamburg with a press event, marking the start of an ambitious initiative to enhance the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of tank storage operations. Funded by the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport as part of the IHATEC II program, DigiTank brings together a strong consortium, including

Evos Hamburg, Schotte Automotive, Hafen Hamburg Marketing, and the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE).

The project focuses on developing AI-powered digital twins, smart control systems, and mobile monitoring

to improve safety, detect anomalies early, and address the sector's skills shortage. UDE is leading the project with a human-centered approach, ensuring that technology is tailored to employee needs and enhances operational efficiency.

Running from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2028, DigiTank aligns with Germany’s National Port Strategy, strengthening Hamburg’s commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility.

Hafen Hamburg Marketing e.V. is proud to support this transformative project.

Photo Credit: Evos GmbH Hamburg

Our latest research on highly automated on-demand vehicles (AODs) has just been published (Open Access) in the International Journal of Transportation Science and Technology, and it’s full of fascinating insights! This study dives into the psychological factors that shape people’s intention to embrace this innovative transportation technology.

We developed a decision-making model that includes Technology Readiness and Environmental Drive, testing it with 214 participants. Our findings reveal that both a readiness for technology and environmental awareness significantly influence the intention to use AODs, while perceived behavioral control plays a lesser role.

These results shed light on the key psychological drivers behind AOD adoption, offering valuable guidance for strategies to encourage their widespread use.

Read the full article here 

On October 1, the innocam.FORUM on the challenges of mobility for rural areas took place in Menden, South Westphalia, in cooperation with the Südwestfalen Agentur. As an addendum, we are pleased to announce that the presentation by Dr. Magnus Liebherr and Eva Gößwein is now available as a video recording.

Take a look now, regardless of time and watch it again and again here. 

Adaptability and Digital Transformation - What's cognition got to do with it? Our team member Eva Gößwein presented as part of the DAAD Study Program SDG PRIMe—Partnership for Resilience and Sustainable Innovation in Management at the A.U.G.E. Institute at the University of Applied Sciences Niederrhein. Her talk looked into how adaptability as a trait and as a state plays a critical role in navigating the challenges and opportunities of our rapidly evolving digital world. Along with the perspective of adaptability, she presented some findings of our current research.

We look forward to more discussions on how the perspective of adaptability can drive sustainable progress!

At the BAuA event "Hybrid, Flexible, and Multi-Location Work? Science in Dialogue IV," Verena Staab presented her research findings on teleoperation within the maritime context. Her presentation focused on how work tasks and technologies can be optimally aligned across various environments—particularly in demanding maritime applications.

This event provided a valuable platform for discussing the potential of flexible technologies with experts from different fields. More information about the event series can be found here.

Our research group recently participated in Mensch und Computer 2024 in Karlsruhe, where PhD candidate Verena Staab presented her research on "Automation and its Effects on Mental Workload in Industrial Sectors." This study provides valuable new insights, particularly for applications within the maritime industry.

📚 You can access her full paper here: https://dl.gi.de/items/953b2ff4-0e1a-4286-a317-e67e3f65c364

The conference provided an excellent platform to connect with both longstanding colleagues and new contacts from academia and industry. We look forward to continuing these important discussions and collaborations.

This week, our PhD candidate Eva Gößwein and research assistant Maike Ramrath attended the 6th DGPS Summer School for Human Factors. The two of them presented their current research, Eva on executive functions and the adaption to new technologies, and Maike on remote surveillance. It was a great chance to connect with other PhD students and get feedback from experienced researchers!

Eva and Maike had a great time in Braunschweig and thank the DGPs-Fachgruppe Ingenieurpsychologie and especially the Deutsches Zentrum für Luft-und Raumfahrt e.V. for the great organization (and the group picture)!

Over the past few months, we've been busy collecting data in our ship simulator! The latest developments in inland navigation automation show how important it is to test the new systems early on to make sure they're user-friendly.

Our study aimed to assess situation awareness when monitoring autonomous systems to intervene in potentially dangerous situations. We also explored whether surveillance causes mental under- or overload and how vigilance, a form of sustained attention, influences this.

This research will provide valuable insights into how jobs in shipping and other sectors can evolve over time. We’re currently analyzing the eye-tracking data and look forward to sharing the results with you soon. Stay tuned!

A PhD journey doesn't have to be a solitary experience! Collaboration and shared interests can enrich the research process and lead to discoveries while integrating interdisciplinary perspectives.

One shining example is the cooperation between our lab and Brandenburgische Technische Universität Cottbus-Senftenberg. Our colleagues Eva Gößwein and Julia Braun are jointly exploring the adaptation to connected car service technology. To strengthen this partnership, they recently took a tour of the simulators in Duisburg, deepening their understanding and connection.

A big thank you to Julia Braun and Martina Klein for visiting us! We eagerly anticipate the innovative outcomes this collaboration will bring. 

Nearly a month ago, on the 13th of June, our team members Jule Stamm and Eva Gößwein had the pleasure of participating in the Wissenschaftsforum Mobilität in Duisburg. They presented on two intriguing topics from the intersection of psychology and mobility: "Was bewegt den Wandel? Der Einfluss von Persönlichkeit, Gewohnheit und Wahrnehmung des Klimawandels auf das individuelle Mobilitätsverhalten" and "Was bewegt Menschen außerhalb von Großstädten? Einflussfaktoren auf das Mobilitätsverhalten in ländlichen Gebieten."
The event was a fantastic opportunity to engage in thought-provoking talks and discussions and to connect with our amazing colleagues in such a vibrant setting. We're grateful for the enriching experience and look forward to continuing these important conversations.

Last week, we had a great time at the third Hybrid Human Artificial Intelligence (HHAI 2024) Conference in Malmö, Sweden. The conference focused on the study of Artificial Intelligent systems that cooperate synergistically, proactively, and purposefully with humans, amplifying rather than replacing human intelligence.

We had the opportunity to hear from experts on a variety of topics, including LLMs, trust in HI-systems and various HI applications. The conference fostered an interdisciplinary exchange between psychologists and computer scientists, enriching the dialogue with diverse perspectives. This type of collaboration is essential for developing HHAI systems that are both effective and user-friendly.

We are excited to share our proceedings paper on “Trust in AI Chatbots: The Perceived Expertise of ChatGPT in Subjective and Objective Tasks”, which delves into trust dynamics in AI interactions. You can access the paper here: https://doi.org/10.3233/FAIA240200, it’s open access.

What an incredible week in Doha, full of new experiences and fruitful discussions with brilliant minds from Hamad Bin Khalifa University, University of Doha for Science and Technology, and Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar.

We delved into the field of Human-Computer Interaction, discussing topics of Explainable AI, Data Security, Gamification, Virtual Environments, and explored the relevance of cognitive functions, adaptability, and trust in these domains.

A special thank you to Raian Ali and Hamad Bin Khalifa University for the warm hospitality and for inviting me. I am excited about the prospect of increasing our level of cooperation and embarking on new projects in the future.

#ScientificExchange #HumanComputerInteraction #XAI #DataSecurity #Gamification #VirtualEnvironments #Collaboration #Innovation

What an exciting week at the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society - Europe Chapter conference in Lübeck!

We as Human Factors and Cognition were thrilled to come together with 175 attendees from 18 countries to share and discover the latest insights in our field. In line with the city's maritime flair, we presented our latest research findings from the maritime context, along with a asystematic review on executive functions and adaptation to new technologies. It was a fantastic opportunity to present our research to an international audience and receive valuable feedback from colleagues across Europe.

A heartfelt thank you also goes to the organizers and sponsors who made this event possible. We are grateful to be part of such a vibrant and dynamic community of researchers and look forward to continuing the discussions and collaborations at future events.

Yesterday we participated in the final project event of the FernBin project focusing on Remote Coordinated Navigation in Inland Navigation.

FernBin addresses the challenges of inland navigation by providing a secure remote control system for vessels such as Rhenus Logistics' "Ernst Kramer". The project aims to alleviate the shortage of skilled personnel and maximize the efficiency of vessel operations.

At the event, we highlighted our contribution: the integration of psychological insights and human factors into the project framework. In addition, we presented the first results of our remote control study focusing on mental workload and human factors during remote control of vessels.

Yesterday was a particularly enriching day for us from the STRALI project team, as we set out to make direct contact with the citizens of the Frohnhausen district. Our aim was to use the local library to gather opinions, experiences and wishes from citizens on the topic of mobility.

It was a great opportunity to gain a deeper insight into people's everyday mobility needs. Through surveys and face-to-face conversations, we were able to gain valuable insights to help us paint a more detailed picture of mobility habits and ideas in Essen.
We have endeavored to give everyone the opportunity to contribute their voice, whether through direct feedback or completed questionnaires about their daily journeys and the challenges they face.

Every shared experience plays an important role in our efforts to better understand and respond to mobility needs in the city of Essen. So a big thank you to everyone who was part of this exchange yesterday. Your openness and commitment are a true inspiration for our future work.

We look forward to analyzing the insights gathered to deepen our understanding of mobility in Essen. Stay tuned for further updates and developments on the STRALI project or take part in our survey!

Last Thursday, an inspiring networking event on the topic of mobility projects in North Rhine-Westphalia took place in Oberhausen. Representatives from various mobility projects gathered that morning to exchange ideas and learn from each other.

The atmosphere was characterized by creative exchanges and lively discussions. In addition to engaging conversations, there was also a delicious buffet provided by #refugeeskitchen.

The diversity of mobility projects in NRW was evident, and it was inspiring to see participants advocating for sustainable mobility. By engaging with different contacts, new connections were made, and potential cooperation opportunities were explored.

We extend our gratitude to Petra Strunck for the invitation and are delighted that the event was such a success!

This week, we successfully conducted surveys at the ship's remote control station, with our main focus on assessing mental workload. Both qualitative and quantitative data were carefully collected. This was particularly significant for us due to the diverse demands on ship operators, especially regarding the specific challenges of remote control. We eagerly anticipate the evaluation and look forward to publishing the results in the near future.

In the world of SAP transformation, the focus often lies on technology and strategy. But what about the human element? During our visit to Synaworks GmbH, Eva Gößwein and Magnus Liebherr presented a psychologically informed approach to shed light on the 'black box' of the human mind. This enables companies to understand technology acceptance and mental strain in the context of digital transformation. The discussion with SAP experts expanded our approach and gave it life. We look forward to implementing it within this fruitful cooperation!

For three days, we put our heads together, analysed data and worked on a joint publication on the subject of trust in credit agencies with members of the DARIA project and collegues from the University Duisburg-Essen. 

Within the Daria project, methods and tools are being researched and tested that make it possible to combine information obtained from anonymised customer and user data for fraud prevention in compliance with data protection regulations. This is achieved by analysing the data records of various online services and users. The insights gained from this are to be used directly to recognise the risks of payment default or identity fraud and then used to prevent the incident. 

DARIA: Minimise identity fraud and default risk by using data in compliance with data protection regulations

We are happy to announce that Verans first research paper as first-author is published in the Journal Human-Computer Interaction.

The paper explores factors that influence the acceptance of autonomous vehicles, with a focus on integrating subjective knowledge at the model level. In a 435-participant study, our findings highlight the critical role of subjective knowledge in improving perception, trust, and acctpance of autonomous vehicles

Perception and Acceptance of Autonomous Vehicles: Influencing Factors and the Relevance of Subjective Knowledge

Dig into one of our latest research article titled "(Over)Trusting AI Recommendations: How System and Person Variables Affect Dimensions of Complacency", which sheds light on the intricate dynamics between human factors and system variables related to over-trust and dimensions of complacency.  The study, featuring 90 participants tackling traffic route problems guided by AI recommendations, distinguishes between transparent and non-transparent systems. Surprisingly, transparent systems were found to reduce the potential for workload alleviation, while simultaneously fostering complacent behavior. Conversely, performance expectancy was identified as a factor capable of enhancing workload alleviation potential without encouraging complacency. The interaction analyses emphasized the nuanced relationship between performance expectancy and system transparency. This research contributes to our comprehension of the complex interplay of system and person-related variables in influencing complacency. It underscores the importance of carefully considering transparency and performance expectancy in the realm of AI research and design, highlighting the need for a balanced approach to avoid unintended consequences in decision-making processes.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10447318.2023.2301250 

 Three days of discussions, data analysis, preparation of publication strategies and planning of further studies. An intensive time in our Mercur-funded project group with exciting findings and considerable progress in the joint studies. Surrounded by wonderful nature, we were able to drive our creative thoughts forward on one or two walks in the forest in addition to the constructive discussions in the seminar room.

We are delighted about the new publication "Digital mindfulness training and cognitive functions: A preregistered systematic review of neuropsychological findings" in the renowned journal Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 

The aim of the present systematic review is to evaluate the research evidence on their effects on cognitive functions. Empirical training studies in the realm of digital mindfulness training that fulfilled the inclusion criteria led to 19 studies and 1654 participants being included in this review from among the papers searched in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Knowledge. Results support previous assumptions on the potential of digital mindfulness training, with the most robust effect on attention control, followed by executive regulation, memory, cognitive flexibility, and other cognitive functions. However, the number of studies that did not find significant changes at least equaled, if not exceeded, the number of studies that found increases. The heterogeneity of identified studies prompted us to discuss several aspects in order to help the future development of digital applications. If you want to read more please check the journal Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 

Let's bring the year to a close. It was an exciting, thrilling and successful year for us in 2023. We had a lot of fun, met new people, generated and published new insights. You can be curious, we have many ideas that we will realise in 2024.

A week at the Dagstuhl Seminar means a week of intensive dialogue, heated discussions and many exciting people. We had the opportunity to contribute our psychological/cognitive science perspective on the topic of trust and trustworthiness in AI applications and to drive the topic forward together with data scientists, computer scientists, engineers and innovation managers. What remains: Numerous impressions, new collaborations and acquaintances, as well as the realisation that one and the same thing is suddenly completely different from different perspectives. We are already looking forward to the next Dagstuhl Seminar.

In this podcast, Eva talks about her journey in the technology world and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM).

Some of our latest research and findings are presented, including the role of trust and adaptability in technology adoption. Eva also highlights other factors that influence technology acceptance: social environment & norms, experience, voluntariness or habits. Want to listen in #EducationNewscast Podcast

Although playing videogames is a common leisure activity some individuals develop problematic gaming behaviors or even symptoms of a gaming disorder. Game engagement may be involved in reinvorcement learning that may result in experiences of craving, an important feature of gaming disorder. In the present study we aimed to approach the question which aspects contribute to increased craving for gaming. See our latest article

In our new blog post, we look at adaptability in the context of software implementation. You can find the article on the website of our partner #Synaworks.

Within the article, theoretical concepts are described but also connections to other constructs such as technology acceptance are explained.

You can find the whole blog post on the Synaworks website.

As of today, Magnus Liebherr is part of the MOTION Institute (MObility TransformaTION) and will represent our interests in the field of human factors and bring a psychological perspective to the institute's work.

The MOTION Institute bundles and represents research activities in the areas of innovation, mobility, in particular in the fields of materials research, computer science, electrical engineering, mechatronics, marine engineering and logistics, HMI, reactive flows as well as market and sales processes in the automotive and mobility industry sector. It supports joint research activities and the application for joint research tenders/ third-party funded research contracts. An important field of MOTION is the exchange with the automotive and supplier industry, the logistics sector and shipping as well as with other mobility sectors.

On Wednesday, we organized a mobility workshop in Krefeld. The first results from our BestMOD project were presented - and, of course, intensively discussed!

The central insight was that the use of sustainable means of transportation is linked to the habit of using cars. So far, so logical - but what does this mean for interventions regarding a more sustainable (mobile) future? The conversations with citizens and stakeholders from Krefeld enriched us and gave us new perspectives on our research. Thank you!

Special thanks goes to our presenting colleagues Lukas Spengler and Ingmar Kranefeld, and of course to everybody who was able to join our workshop!

Yesterday, we marked the official launch of the Strali project in Essen. The event was graced by warm words of welcome from the Mayor of Essen, Mrs. Jacob, the Vice-Rector of the University of Duisburg-Essen, Prof. Marròn, and the BMDV. It was heartening to witness the enthusiastic participation of both interested citizens and city representatives.

Following an engaging panel discussion in which we unveiled intricate project details, participants were given the valuable opportunity to engage with project members and delve deeper into the various facets of our initiative. This event was a resounding success, reinforcing the significance of our project in a tangible way.

Encouraged by this positive experience, we are now invigorated and back to the drawing board, focusing on meticulously planning the upcoming data collection phase.

Have you ever sat in the loading bay of an inland cargo vessel and had productive talks on how to move on with the research and development work in your project? Well, we just did! 😉 Earlier this week, the #CoboTank team has met onboard the inland vessel Otto Deymann sr. and has conducted an intense workshop for a brief review of milestones achieved and the planning of the ones ahead. The presentation of the miniature demonstrator is coming up soon!

A big THANKS to #ReedereiDeymann for welcoming us onboard and ashore!

CoboTank aims to develop a collaborative robot for the loading and unloading process of inland tank vessels and to investigate the potential of fully automating the robot. The research project CoboTank is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Digital Affairs and Transport in the innovative port technologies funding program (IHATEC).

Yesterday, in Heidelberg, we delved into the realm of software implementation. Today, at RWTH Aachen University, we found ourself engrossed in the Safebin project, discussing the automation of inland navigation. These may appear as entirely disparate topics, but what unites them is our unwavering focus on the human element in the midst of ever-evolving technologies. Intriguingly, these two seemingly unrelated subjects converge when we explore themes such as technology trust, acceptance, affinity, mental workload, and even fundamental cognitive processes. Our encounter proved to be a captivating exchange, teeming with valuable insights, solutions, and promising pathways for our future collaborative endeavors. Thank you to RWTH Aachen for graciously hosting this thought-provoking gathering

Today was an exciting day at the Synaworks GmbH partner day in Heidelberg. Besides the delicious pretzels, Magnus Liebherr and I were especially thrilled by the insights into the practice of technology acceptance and adoption in the area of SAP software! A big thank you to the Synaworks team for the great organisation, the authentic atmosphere and the valuable input. A beautiful sunrise was on top - and even the construction sites here in Heidelberg want to inform about technology and technology trust!

The initiation of the funding programmes "Innovative Port Technologies", "Digital Test Fields Ports" and "Digital Test Fields Waterways" a few years ago has opened up the possibility of developing a large number of innovations to increase the attractiveness of waterways as a mode of transport and also to test them under real conditions!

At the invitation of the Federal Minister for Digital Affairs and Transport, Dr Volker Wissing, the Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs and Transport is now offering business and science the stage to present the first results from the funded projects to the public and to discuss future #mobility on the water together. CoboTank is of course represented with its own stand and shows a scaled model of the possible cobot accompanied by a video animation. We are also pleased to have our stand neighbour - the friendly project PortSkill 4.0, with whom CoboTank is developing virtual test scenarios for the operation of the Cobot!

Eva Gößwein and Verena Staab participated in this year's Summer School for Human Factors at the Chemnitz University of Technology!

During this intensive week, they had the unique opportunity to work with experts in the field of Human Factors and to give inspiring lectures. The presentations included innovative approaches to improving mobility in our cities and how we can put people's needs at the centre of our efforts. On the other hand, they presented and discussed human-robot interaction in our Cobotank project with the aim of reducing mental workload.