Human Systems Engineering
Building better machines using psychology and cognitive science.
Students become experts in human interaction with engineered systems by applying the methods of experimental psychology and cognitive science. Broad applications include aviation human factors, consumer psychology, teamwork, health and hospital safety, learning, product usability, social cognition, sports performance, threat detection and user-centered design.
Projects presented at the Innovation Showcase involve the application of psychological principles to problems and questions determined by a client sponsor. For example, students might work with a startup company to provide website or product usability evaluations, consult with a community organization to develop improved methods for real-world practices, or perhaps develop a new piece of software.
Capstone projects – Spring 2026
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Small businesses often face challenges in developing compensation structures that are both fair and adaptable to growth. This project addresses that issue by designing a scalable compensation framework that supports equitable pay practices. The approach considers factors such as role…
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Maintaining situational awareness in glass cockpit environments can be challenging due to increased reliance on digital displays and automation. This project addresses that issue by conducting a literature review on factors that contribute to awareness degradation in these settings. The…
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Errors in insulin pen use can affect medication accuracy and patient safety. This project addresses that challenge by analyzing common user errors and identifying factors that contribute to misuse. The team applies human-centered design principles to develop improvements that support…
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Monitoring hand rehabilitation can be difficult without accessible tools that provide consistent, objective feedback. This project addresses that challenge by developing a low-cost, non-contact system that uses a smartphone to track hand movement in real time. The system combines digital…
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Thumb-based interaction is important for usability in virtual and augmented environments, but accurately detecting force remains a challenge. This project addresses that gap by developing a vision-based system that detects both thumb position and applied force without requiring separate hand…
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As artificial intelligence is increasingly used in decision-making, interface design can influence how users interpret and trust its recommendations. This project addresses that challenge by studying how humanlike design features affect user reliance on AI advice. The research compares anthropomorphic…
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The increasing use of artificial intelligence in the workplace has led to workforce changes that can be difficult to assess and interpret. This project addresses that issue by examining how organizations communicate layoffs related to AI adoption. The research analyzes…
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Short-form social media platforms can influence user perceptions and relationships with content creators, but the extent of this effect is not well understood. This project addresses that question by analyzing parasocial development across platforms such as TikTok, YouTube Shorts and…
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The growth of artificial intelligence data centers has raised questions about energy use and community impact. This project addresses that issue by developing an interactive demonstration based on interrupted time series analysis. The system allows users to explore changes in…
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Operational decision-making in airport environments often occurs under time pressure, which can affect performance and safety. This project addresses that challenge by analyzing human factors that influence decision-making in these conditions. The study examines how time constraints impact judgment, coordination…
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Frequent alerts in clinical environments can lead to alarm fatigue and reduce trust in monitoring systems. This project addresses that issue by conducting a literature review on human factors affecting clinical alarm use. The analysis examines how alarm design, frequency…
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The modern dashboard interface has been continually redesigned to address the ongoing issues of complexity and information density. With the rapid increase in new infographics and larger screens, there is the issue of the user’s finite cognitive resources, resulting in…
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Understanding how teams function in different collaboration settings is important as artificial intelligence, or AI, becomes more integrated into group work. This project addresses that question by proposing a framework to compare team dynamics in human-only and human-AI collaboration environments.…
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Understanding how operators respond to errors in automated systems is important for safe and effective collaboration. This project addresses that question by examining how different types of errors influence operator reliance, compliance and complacency when working with synthetic teammates. The…
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Music streaming applications can present complex interfaces that increase cognitive load and affect user experience. This project addresses that challenge by redesigning a music streaming platform to simplify navigation and information presentation. The work focuses on reducing visual and interaction…
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Bocconcini stilton danish fontina. Blue castello goat croque monsieur smelly cheese gouda cheese triangles say cheese caerphilly. Cheese and biscuits dolcelatte cheese strings cheese and biscuits squirty cheese cauliflower cheese macaroni cheese red leicester. Roquefort taleggio cut the cheese airedale…
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Bocconcini stilton danish fontina. Blue castello goat croque monsieur smelly cheese gouda cheese triangles say cheese caerphilly. Cheese and biscuits dolcelatte cheese strings cheese and biscuits squirty cheese cauliflower cheese macaroni cheese red leicester. Roquefort taleggio cut the cheese airedale…
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In highly automated systems, reduced manual involvement can lead to skill decay over time. This project addresses that challenge by examining how training programs can be designed to maintain operator proficiency. The study evaluates different training approaches and their effectiveness…
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Effective training methods are important for skill development, but the impact of practice structure and feedback frequency is not fully understood. This project addresses that question by studying how different training approaches affect learning and retention of soccer penalty kicks.…
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Upper-limb rehabilitation often lacks accessible tools that provide consistent feedback and engagement. This project addresses that challenge by developing a virtual reality system that uses real-time hand and trajectory tracking during 3D movement tasks. The system evaluates how factors such…
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User experience design plays an important role in how individuals interact with online booking platforms. This project addresses that focus by evaluating the user experience of the Expedia website. The analysis examines navigation, interface design and usability to identify areas…
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Bocconcini stilton danish fontina. Blue castello goat croque monsieur smelly cheese gouda cheese triangles say cheese caerphilly. Cheese and biscuits dolcelatte cheese strings cheese and biscuits squirty cheese cauliflower cheese macaroni cheese red leicester. Roquefort taleggio cut the cheese airedale…
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This project explored whether a faith-based digital platform could help improve Christian engagement and community among young adults outside of traditional Sunday services. Guided by Self-Determination Theory, community psychology, social identity theory and user centered design principles, an early protype…
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Coaching decisions in basketball often rely on complex data and time-sensitive judgment. This project addresses that challenge by examining how artificial intelligence can support coaching strategies and decision-making. The study explores how AI tools analyze performance data and provide insights…
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Managing type 1 diabetes requires ongoing decision-making that can be complex and time-sensitive. This project addresses that challenge by exploring how artificial intelligence decision support systems can assist individuals in managing their condition. The research examines how these tools can…
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Artificial intelligence is increasingly used in manufacturing, but its effect on human behavior and performance is not well understood. This project addresses that gap by studying how AI assistance influences visual attention during a 3D printing leak detection task. Using…
Join us for the Spring 2026 Innovation Showcase
Friday, May 1, 2026
Sun Devil Fitness Complex, ASU Polytechnic campus
Morning session: 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Afternoon session: 3–5 p.m.
Two opportunities to see innovation in action!
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