Cognitive sciences, cognitive engineering, human-technology relations
The Co-DOT Laboratory brings together researchers and students interested studying human cognition from three perspectives, namely cognition distribution across individuals, information organization and technologies for optimizing human performance. Co-DOT’s mission is to pursue innovative research on these themes and transfer the resulting methods and knowledge to the field of cognitive ergonomics. To this end, the laboratory operates multifunctional infrastructure unique in Canada, comprising cutting-edge equipment (information wall, panoramic screens, 3D audio spatialization, mobile oculometric systems) and computer simulations of various dynamic complex situations (or microworlds) related to public security. The infrastructure also features a room for faithful reproduction of crisis management centre conditions. Carried out in collaboration with public agencies and industrial partners, the laboratory’s research projects, based on an approach combining engineering and cognitive science, are aimed at understanding cognitive factors that play a role in dynamic decision-making and the conditions that favour optimum team performance, as well as optimizing relations between human agents and the technology systems that assist them. This knowledge contributes to the design of systems to assist decision-making and methods for maximizing human performance.
Oculomotor; ergonomic assessment
- Defence and security industries
- Information and communication technologies and media
- Transportation
Specialized labs and equipment
Equipment | Function |
---|---|
Analysis stations (Noldus Observer) | High-performance computer equipment used for sophisticated analyses using Observer software |
Physiological measurement system (Biopac) | System for taking and analysing physiological measurements, including an electrocardiogram, electrodermal response measurement and respiratory amplitude measurement |
Oculometric systems (ASL Mobile Eye, Tobii and Smart Eye) | Systems for tracking and recording eye movements. Behavioural measurements of gaze displacement and psychophysiological measurement of mental effort |
Christie Digital information wall | Information display wall enabling realistic reproduction of operational and control centres, equipped with video and audio management amplifiers |
Audio-video system | Video recording system, display screen and speakers for communication between the simulation room and the control room, as well as dedicated recording cameras |
Acoustic panels | Sound-absorbing panels to reduce ambient noise inside the simulation room |
Interactive boards | Boards for displaying and directly controlling computer content |
Tablets | Tablets for issuing the participants computerized questionnaires |
Control and display system | Computer system for programming and controlling experiment content |
Software for recording user/system interaction (Morae Manager) | System for recording dialogue between participants during simulations |
Crisis management software (C3Fire) | Computer simulation of team crisis management (fighting a forest fire) |
Crisis management software (SYnRGY) | Computer simulation of a public security crisis |
Private and public sector research partners
- Thales
- Ubisoft
- CAE
- Centre Apprentiss UL
- Tech3Lab
- Recherche et développement pour la défense Canada
- HEC
- Institut Supérieur de l’Aéronautique et de l’Espacede Toulouse
- Service de Police de la Ville de Québec
- QinetiQ
- Cardiff University
Additional information
Title | URL |
---|---|
Co-DOT Laboratory presentation as part of the 50th anniversary of the School of Psychology | http://www.psy.ulaval.ca/50e/?pid=1305 |
Happy in the service of science | http://www.contact.ulaval.ca/article_magazine/heureux-au-service-de-la-science/ |
Cognitive Ergonomics - Team Cognition | http://www.co-dot.ulaval.ca/en/team-cognition |