Technology, Human-Systems & Experience Lab

THE Lab Concept

The Engineering Psychology Group is maintaining – not owning – the THE Lab. THE Lab’s primary purpose is to support teaching and research in human-centered research and teaching at Aalto CS. The concept of THE lab is to provide a physical space for running user studies at Aalto CS. Therefore, only rudimentary lab equipment that is targeted for teaching is provided. Advanced measurement devices (e.g., infrared camera systems, robots etc.) must be brought by the researcher.

You can find user guides and manuals on this webpage – for further but limited – support, please contact robin.welsch@aalto.fi

THE Lab Equipment

Please exercise utmost care and caution when using the equipment in the lab. These devices are valuable assets that facilitate our research and teaching. Damaging or misusing equipment not only disrupts your work but affects the entire research and student community at Aalto CS.

Cameras for observation

Panasonic GH6: A high-resolution 4k camera.

3 x Mevo Starter with Tripods

Eye Tracking

Other physiological sensors

2 x Bitalino kits for measuring (1000 Hz):

  • Electrodermal activity
  • Pulse
  • Electrocardiography
  • Electromyography

Monitors & Workstations

2 x Workstations for experimenters/testers (Keyboard, Mouse & Monitor with USB-C)

3 x Participant testing booths (2 in the bigger room; Keyboard, Mouse & Monitor with USB-C)

Other

  • 3 x iPad Mini (2022; 64 GB)
  • Foam floor tiles
  • Wireless keyboards
  • XR wiring
  • Cabinets for storing devices/data/papers temporarily
  • Humidity and temperature sensors (IoT)

Sharing of specialized devices

Multiple groups have promised to share their devices. You can find the devices and contacts below.

Electroencephalography

32 Channel Wireless EEG (soon; not included in the lab), if needed, contact robin.welsch@aalto.fi

VR, AR & XR

Engineering Psychology can lend XR devices (e.g., 1 VIVE XR Elite, 2 Meta Quest Pro’s). If needed, contact robin.welsch@aalto.fi

Device not found?

Search at https://takeout.aalto.fi/ and if the device is not available, contact robin.welsch@aalto.fi


THE Lab Booking Guide

Get access to the lab

A couple of days before starting your study. Access also needs to be renewed after a certain period.

  • Go to https://idm.aalto.fi/
  • Start a new request
  • Physical access to special zones
  • Search for usability lab
  • Add to cart
  • Check it out
  • Make sure access is granted (Mail robin.welsch@aalto.fi if there is a problem)

How to use the calendar

  1. Booking Platform: All bookings for THE lab should be made using Google Calendar. Ensure you have access to the calendar designated for the lab.
  2. Selecting Rooms: When making a booking, clearly indicate in the event description whether you will be using (e.g. “Agnes Kloft Engineering Psychology, both rooms”):
  • The big room
  • The small room
  • Both rooms

Booking Duration

  • Do not block off an entire day for your booking. Instead, book specific time slots based on your actual requirements.
  • Ensure that your booking duration is realistic to allow other users to utilize the facility.

Tentative Reservations

  • If you are unsure about your exact requirements or if you wish to coordinate with others, mark your reservation as “Tentative” in Google Calendar.
  • This indicates to others that the slot is reserved, but there may be flexibility, thus promoting coordination and maximizing lab usage.

Booking Etiquette

  • Always double-check the calendar for existing bookings before adding your own to avoid double-booking.
  • If your plans change, update your booking or delete your reservation promptly to free up the slot for others.
  • Communicate any changes or updates to relevant stakeholders to ensure smooth coordination.

Note: Continual disregard for the booking guidelines may result in restricted access to THE lab. Please be considerate of others and use the facility responsibly.

Practical matters

  • The lighting in the room presents a perfect example of bad usability, but you will find a guide on the entrance of THE lab.
  • You need to  bring your own supplies (pens/ papers / folders) 
  • We have cabinets to store participant information – clear them out after your study.
  • Soundproofing: If entering through the main door, one can often hear someone in. When this is sensitive (e.g., having acoustic stimuli), it is good to reserve both rooms.
  • Pick up your participants. Next door to THE lab is the head of a department’s office, which may be awkward to confuse with THE lab.