Rochester Human-Computer Interaction
What happens in this laboratory?
The Rochester Human-Computer Interaction (ROC-HCI) group is a hub of interdisciplinary research across:
- Human-computer interaction (HCI)
- Artificial intelligence (AI)
- Education
- Medicine
- Cognitive and social science
We strive for technical and design novelty in affective computing, artificial/virtual reality (AR/VR), embodied conversational agent, and future interactions.
Our research addresses real-life challenges in social interaction, learning, wellness for people with diverse abilities and needs, and beyond. For example, we develop:
- Virtual agents to help elderly and autistic individuals to develop communication skills
- AR/VR technologies to support playful learning experiences for K-12 students to develop critical thinking about AI technologies
- AI-mediated communication technologies to assist parents’ interaction with their Deaf and Hard of Hearing child in sign language
At ROC-HCI, students gain creativity and independence through an inclusive and collaborative learning environment that respects diverse academic and cultural backgrounds. Students are given intellectual freedom to pursue their curiosity. Common activities students get involved with include interaction design, system development, AI modeling, data analysis, user studies, and reading groups.
When do students use this lab?
The lab welcomes students, researchers and members of the University community with an interest in human-computer interaction. If you are interested in getting involved with our research, collaboration, and related course projects (e.g., CSC 211: Introduction to HCI, CSC 212/412: Human-Computer Interaction, CSC 216/416: AR/VR Interaction Design), please feel free to contact us.
You can contact the lab by emailing Dr. Ehsan Hoque at mehoque@cs.rochester.edu, Dr. Zhen Bai at zbai@cs.rochester.edu, or Dr. Yukang Yan at yyan37@cs.rochester.edu.
Lab Equipment
Wegmans Hall 2212 (PI Dr. Hoque)
AR/VR devices:
- Microsoft Hololens AR headset
- Samsung Gear VR headset
- Google Glass (2)
Computer/software:
- Computer with 2 NVIDIA RTX 3090 GPU
- Computer with 1 NVIDIA RTX 3090 GPU
- Computer with 4 NVIDIA 1080 GPU
Gaming and sensors:
- Kinect Xbox for One (1)
- Xbox 360 (2)
- Leap Motion Controller
Wegmans Hall 4008 (PI Dr. Bai)
AR/VR devices:
- Vuzix Blade Smart Glasses
- Miroir Micro Projector
- Optoma ML1050ST+ projector
Sensors:
- GoPro 7
- Logitech webcam
- Sennheiser G4 Lapel Microphone
- HMKCH Wireless Lavalier Microphone
Computers and tables:
- Alienware Gaming Desktop (2)
- Alienware Gaming Laptop (2)
- Samsung Galaxy S8/A8 Smartphone/Tablets
Department of Computer Science
The ROC-HCI group is affiliated with the Department of Computer Science, which offers a BS, BA, and a minor that are designed to be flexible enough to satisfy the needs of all students interested in computer science. The department's goals are twofold, to:
- Give students a solid and rigorous background in computer science principles, including the requisite mathematical foundations
- Expose students to the problems and solution techniques used in the various areas of the discipline
See the undergraduate program page for more information.