This project focuses on human-human dialogs as a model for human computer communication. An important aspect of the program is developing evaluation methods and training guidelines. Specific interest in individual differences is also encouraged. The Human computer Interaction Laboratory at the Naval Research Laboratory provides an interdisciplinary research environment to address problems in interface software design. The approaches within the HCI Laboratory assume that interface software provides the bi-directional communication of information between humans and computers.
Information can be in the form of data, symbolic knowledge, or control specifics.
Multi-modal forms of communication are assumed. Research in the laboratory focuses on developing software principles and methodologies useful to software designers. Current work emphasizes dialogue as an organizing principle for the interactions. The novel devices research includes aspects of telepresence and virtual environments. Software design within the research tasks provides the basis for our software engineering approach to developing interface specifications and requirements which are independent of the applications.