The Human-centric Technologies Research Group (HuTech) is dedicated to fostering collaboration between humans and cutting-edge technologies. Our mission is to create innovative, AI-driven solutions to elevate our cognitive and physical performance and support our wellbeing. We integrate science, engineering, design and art with advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, virtual reality, augmented reality and extended reality.
Our approach leverages transdisciplinary insights and transferable knowledge, creating solutions that are versatile, impactful and designed to optimise human performance in any environment – on Earth and even in space.
Our interdisciplinary research investigates how cutting-edge technologies can support human capabilities in areas like human space exploration, defence, mobility and health care.
Through our research in this area we:
Through our research in this area we:
Through our research in this area we:
Through our research in this area we:
Our objective is to enrich the Australian research ecosystem by improving human capabilities in complex environments through the integration of advanced technologies, including extended reality and artificial intelligence.
Dr Kaja Antlej and Dr Bahareh Nakisa
Senior lecturers and co-leads at HuTech
As a PhD student at HuTech, you will learn alongside the sharpest minds in the fields of extended reality and applied artificial intelligence. You’ll have access to a stimulating and supportive environment and the latest in cutting-edge tech.
HuTech is an interdisciplinary research group that brings together experts from various fields to drive human potential through innovative research.
Dr Kaja Antlej is a senior lecturer in industrial design and a researcher at Deakin’s virtual reality training and simulation lab, based in the School of Engineering. Her research interests intersect the fields of human space exploration, human-centred design, digital heritage and virtual museums, extended reality, 3D printing, futures thinking, wellbeing and entrepreneurship.
Dr Bahareh Nakisa is a senior lecturer in applied AI at Deakin’s School of Information Technology. Her research interests include applied artificial intelligence, deep learning, human-machine interaction and teaming, computational cognition and affective computing, working to solve real-world problems in healthcare, transportation, space and defence.
Our researchers work together to advance our collective knowledge and transform industries through the use of digital technologies.
Ensuring the mental health of astronauts during deep space missions remains a challenge. This research endeavour strives to bridge the existing gap, pioneering the integration of AI with cutting-edge virtual reality to curate a comprehensive databank of meaningful experiences tailored for astronauts and other isolated users.
This project focuses on enhancing the capabilities of AI agents by integrating human feedback – including physiological measurements and implicit instructions – in a deep reinforcement learning framework. These agents are designed to learn from human interactions in a nuanced and context-aware manner, allowing for unprecedented collaboration in high-pressure, real-world settings including manufacturing, military operations and emergency response.
Deakin's Virtual reality lab is a cutting-edge teaching and research facility located at our Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus that is purpose-built for developing virtual reality and augmented reality solutions.
As we enter a new era where artificial intelligence is becoming more integrated into our everyday lives, we ask: do we trust AI as we would trust a friend?
We work across national and international boundaries. Some of our research collaborators are based at:
We’d love to hear from you! If you’re interested in our research, partnering with us or want to stay updated on the latest developments, email our team.
+61 3 5247 9546
Email Dr Bahareh Nakisa
+61 3 5227 3816
