The Bionics and Cognitive Science Centre
About the BCSC
(PDF Version )
Supported by The Australian Commonwealth Government Stronger Regions Programme
Exploring the human-technology interface
Establishment
In December 2002, The School of Humanities, Communications, and Social Sciences at Monash University's Gippsland campus obtained $360,000 from the Commonwealth Government to establish the Bionics and Cognitive Science Centre and to introduce the Bachelor of Cognitive Science.
Purpose
The purpose of the Centre is to apply knowledge in the areas of sensory, perceptual and cognitive processes, computing, engineering, and philosophy, to the solution of problems which include how to:
- add haptic information to virtual reality systems to improve telesurgery, training simulators, and internet communications,
- alleviate sensory and motor handicap with sensory substitution devices, and artificial sensory/motor systems,
- improve sensory-motor processes in robotic devices,
- improve cognition in machines and computers,
- evaluate the impact that such technologies have on people.
Current projects
A major project is concerned with adding tactile cues to the kinesthetic information currently available in haptic virtual environments. This would represent a major step towards fully immersive virtual reality.
Related projects include:
- an analysis of kinesthetic and cutaneous components of normal haptic perception
- a study of competing haptic and visual perception of 3D virtual objects
- haptic illusions
- sensory substitution systems
- temperature perception
- tactile slippage in robotic sensors
- haptic perception of Gestalts
- context effects in face
- remote control of machinery
- brain-computer interfaces
- multimodal inputs in virtual environments
- measures of presence in computer game playing
- See research projects for more details
Contacts
Dr Barry Richardson. A/Director.
Tel: 03 51 226342 Fax: 03 51 226359
Email: barry.richardson@arts.monash.edu.au