We build, deploy, and test prototypes powered with the latest AI technologies, as digital and physical embodiments of human-centered research methods and interventions. We focus on 1) rapid, iterative prototyping to enable novel ways of collecting/generating data and testing AI-powered systems, and 2) planning and executing research studies with human participants using mixed methods, resulting in quality data for training AI models and evidence-based science. 

Our team has expertise in areas including software engineering, data engineering, and user experience research and design.

Our solutions enable greater use of the latest AI capabilities, including faster prototyping of AI systems, deeper immersion and interactivity with AR/VR, and quality diverse data.

Our customers include other HCAI researchers, university collaborators, and Toyota stakeholders who use HCAI tools.

Companies need to keep up with and adapt to the rapidly evolving landscape of AI technology. 

Along with new technical capabilities come the challenges around making new, unproven AI technology useful and usable by human stakeholders. We keep the “AI” in “HCAI” focused on the latest cutting-edge models and build tools to make them accessible for scientists to experiment with and understand their capabilities and limitations. 

Another challenge with the ever-evolving LLMs (Large Language Models) is their use by human subjects as a shortcut for responding to online surveys, resulting in data that reflects the LLM rather than the preferences of the human participant. To address this, we need to develop best practices around designing, running, and cleaning survey studies to ensure reliable signals of human preferences.

• We built full-stack web applications that chain together multiple AI models to enable novel interactions, visualizations, and dynamically generated content to the end user.
• We built endpoints for open-source AI models for text/image generation that power multiple prototypes, as well as intuitive user interfaces that allow non-experts to play with the latest AI models and gain an intuition of their potential.
• We developed new AR/VR/XR capabilities and 3D interactions that enable more immersive digital experiences that can lead to greater experiential mobility.
• We planned and executed numerous studies (surveys, diary studies, interviews, in-lab, etc.) with human participants to evaluate human-centered AI innovations.
• We have launched the Human-AI Kaizen initiative to create a positive, AI-forward future where people can be not only more productive but also continuously grow and improve (kaizen) their own skills to stay one step ahead of AI.

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