DEPICT LAB – Technology based on human conditions

DEPICT LAB is a laboratory where scientists can visualise and analyse human behaviour using the latest technology in the field. The measuring equipment makes it possible to study human behaviour and subconscious cognitive processes.

A large part of the equipment in the lab is mobile and can be used in both lab and industrial environments. Studies have already been done in a control room environment, for example at process operators in mines and among staff in a train control center.

The biometric measurements used are:

• Electroencephalography ( EEG ) - a method for recording the spontaneous electrical activity of the cerebral cortex using electrodes
• Electromyography ( EMG ) - a method for measuring the response of the muscles to stimulation from the nervous system.
• Skin conductance ( GSR) - to measure the skin's electrical conductivity.
• Equipment is also available for measuring the heart's electrical activity, eye movements and people's facial expressions.

The lab is an important resource at national level to combine different measurement methods. Through a system that can talk to all sensors at the same time, surveys can be tailored to most situations where people's experiences are to be studied.

Research Cooperation

The equipment is used by researchers and students within, for example, technology development, marketing and behavioural science, but also enables new interdisciplinary meetings with other universities and companies. Contact us if you want to know more about DEPICT LAB or cost calculations when you do research applications.

The DEPICT lab is financed by the Kemp Foundation and the lab fund at Luleå University of Technology with SEK 2.6 million.

Equipment

In DEPICT Lab it is possible to perform experiments with different types of equipment, such as video, eye-tracking and biometric measurements (EEG, EMG, ECG, GSR). All sources can be synchronised and used for quantitative experimental research.

By using the iMotions software we have a lab where we can synchronise, visualise and analyse our human behaviour research. We can combine and synchronise stimuli with different types of data such as multiple view video recording, facial expression analysis, eye-tracking and biometric measures (EEG, EMG, ECG, GSR).

Technical Equipment

The laboratory consists of:

High end EEG 64-channels
One brain products, actiCHamp 64 channel with actiCap active electrodes.
Brain Vision recorder software and Analyser 2 analysis software.

Mid range EEG 10-channels
An ABM- B-Alert X10 is a wireless mid range EEG system which delivers a balance of functionality and simplicity.

Prototype EEG system 8-channels
Five OpenBCI EEG systems (Cyton Biosensing Board and Ultracortex Mark IV EEG Headset) is an Open Source EEG system used for prototype studies, by students and for the development of applications and products that uses EEG-data.

Wearable eye trackers
Two pairs Tobii Pro Glasses 2 with integrated videocamera for capturing natural viewing behaviour in any real-world environment.

Screen based eye tracker
eye trackers for capturing the gaze point, timing and duration of fixations.
Two Tobii Pro X2-30 and one Eye Tech VT2-XL for large screens.

VR Headset med Eye tracking
Varjo VR-1, a VR-headset with high resolution and eye tracking. And one HTC Vive Pro Eye..

EMG and ECG
Six Shimmer EMG units provide a representation of the muscle activity at the measurement site; the unit can also be utilised to monitor ECG (Electrocardiogram), recording the pathway of electrical impulses through the heart muscle.

GSR
Six Shimmer 3 GSR+ units for capturing the Galvanic Skin Response (measuring the electrical conductance of the skin)

Facial Expression Analysis
The Affectiva integrated Facial expression module in iMotion, helps to visualise all emotion and facial channels synchronised with the stimuli on a timeline.

Courses and Workshops

DEPICT LAB holds both workshops and education both at basic and at research level.

Courses

• FOR Introduction to biometrics research . PhD student course for the introduction of using tools and methods to collect and analyse biometric data.
• Introduction to DEPICT LAB, a brief introduction to using software and hardware in the lab
• DEPICT DEMO , a short introduction of what you can do in the lab, what hardware and software is available and what kind of analyses and experiments you can carry out.

Are you interested in the courses contact Peter Törlind.

Reservation

Are you interested in conducting an experiment, booking the lab or attend a study visit, please contact Peter.Torlind@ltu.se

Security in the Depict lab

To access the lab, you need to go through an introductory course. There is also a web-based course if you need to learn a little more about iMotions software.

As a researcher, you also need to have completed the basic GDPR training to use the lab.

For each project, you should develop a data management plan, ie a plan for how your data should be collected, how it should be used, and how it should be distributed and archived.

As a teacher and student, there is also a resource page on Canvas and modules that can be copied into specific courses.