Human-Centered Intelligent Systems Lab

Designing trust for the next wave of mobility intelligence

We combine artificial intelligence, automotive engineering, and human-computer interaction to build systems that keep people in control. From cockpit agents to fleet safety audits, our team prototypes the AI experiences drivers actually want.

Human-centered AIAutomotive systemsSafety & trust

Our Mission

To develop intelligent automotive systems that enhance human capabilities, improve safety, and create more intuitive interactions between humans and vehicles. We believe that the future of transportation lies in systems that understand, adapt to, and augment human behavior rather than replace it.

Our Vision

A future where intelligent automotive systems seamlessly integrate with human life, creating safer, more efficient, and more enjoyable transportation experiences. We envision vehicles that truly understand their occupants and adapt to create personalized, context-aware mobility solutions.

Where research, teaching, and impact converge

The HCIS Lab operates at the intersection of AI, automotive systems, and HCI. We pair rigorous methods with studio culture so prototypes evolve into deployable experiences.

Research Programs

Human-Centered Intelligent Systems

We invent automotive AI that keeps people in the loop—testing copilots, sensing stacks, and explainable interfaces.

Teaching Studios

Hands-on learning culture

Courses and theses pair lab infrastructure with critique-heavy studios so students graduate with working systems.

Industry Collaborations

Experiments with partners

Mobility OEMs, civic labs, and policy groups join our pilots to ground research in real fleets, regulations, and service models.

Our Initiatives

Explore our key projects and collaborations that drive innovation in human-centered automotive intelligence.

Driver assistance futures

Studying how automation shares control, communicates intent, and rebuilds trust when attention shifts or conditions change.

In-cabin intelligence

Multimodal monitoring, affect recognition, and wellbeing protocols that respect privacy while elevating comfort and safety.

AI safety & verification

Formal methods, simulation, and human-in-the-loop evaluation to validate algorithms before they reach public roads.

From questions to road-ready pilots

01

Behavioral research

Interviews, ride-alongs, and simulator studies reveal how people interpret intelligent systems.

02

System prototyping

We translate findings into agents, interfaces, and sensing pipelines that can live in vehicles..

03

Road-ready validation

Hybrid testing—lab, track, and fleet pilots—ensures concepts meet safety and policy thresholds.

By the numbers

11+ Research Projects
10+ Publications
2+ Industry Partners
2025 Established Since

Partners pushing the frontier with us

Meet with Prof. Alvarez

People behind the prototypes

HCIS researchers blend engineering, psychology, and design. Meet the team that mentors studios, crafts experiments, and partners with industry.

Collaborate with HCIS Whether you are planning a research partnership, recruiting talent, or exploring new ideas, we would love to hear from you.