Cognitive and Neural Engineering (CogNeuro) Research Group

(Metamodel illustration by Charlotte Sennersten, 2011)

The Cognitive and Neural Engineering (CogNeuro) Research Group seeks to combine theories and methods of cognitive and neural sciences with engineering tools and methodologies, in order to improve development processes and the functionality of technology systems (such as games and simulations), and to further the understanding of cognitive and neural systems on the other (see Roth, E. M., Patterson, E. S., & Mumaw, R. J. 2001 Cognitive Engineering: Issues in User-Centered System Design. In J.J. Marciniak, Ed. Encylopedia of Software Engineering (2nd Edition). NY: John Wiley and Sons; Dominique M Durand 2006 J. Neural Eng.4).

Research methods that we use include eyetracking, psychophysiological measurement and interaction (i.e. steering systems based upon psychophysiology and gaze data), cognitive modelling, knowledge acquisition, prototyping and testing of synthetic cognitive systems (knowledge base systems, game AI, robots), simulations and simulation-based studies, autonomous robots, hybrid system experiments, etc..

Our work involving perception includes tracking of human gaze during task performance, and the investigation of how to apply principls of biological vision systems in robots for better monitoring, understanding and interpretation of the surrounding environment, human behaviors and emotion. Much of the work of the group falls within the field of cognitive- and neuroscience-inspired Human Factors and Human Computer Interaction (HCI). Both studies and applications frequently make use of digital games, with a particular interest in the emotional and cognitive factors within, and affects of, gameplay, for understanding the motivations, rewards and effects of gaming and as a basis for the use of serious games for training and therapy.

Contact person: Craig Lindley

Definition of Cognitive Engineering

"Cognitive engineering is an interdisciplinary approach to the development of principles,
methods, tools, and techniques to guide the design of computerized systems intended to support human performance (Norman, 1981; Woods and Roth, 1988a; 1988b). The basic unit of analysis in cognitive engineering is a cognitive system, composed of human and machine agents in a work domain that is delineated by roles, work and communication norms, artifacts, and procedures. Cognitive engineering draws on the disciplines of cognitive psychology, cognitive science, computer science, human-computer interaction, human factors, and related fields. The goal of cognitive engineering is to develop systems that are easy to learn, easy to use, and result in improved human-computer system performance." (from Roth, E. M., Patterson, E. S., & Mumaw, R. J. 2001  Cognitive Engineering: Issues in User-Centered System Design. In J.J. Marciniak, Ed. Encylopedia of Software Engineering (2nd Edition). NY: John Wiley and Sons)

Definition of Neural Engineering

"Neural Engineering is an emerging interdisciplinary research area that brings to bear neuroscience and engineering methods to analyze neurological function as well as to design solutions to problems associated with neurological limitations and dysfunction ... " (from Dominique M Durand 2006 J. Neural Eng. 4).

also

"Neural engineering (also known as Neuroengineering) is a discipline ... that uses engineering techniques to understand, repair, replace, enhance, or otherwise exploit the properties of neural systems." (from wikipedia)