UTRLAB: Turkey’s first R&D firm Specialized in Usability,Ergonomics and Interaction Technologies
UTRLAB User Testing and Research was founded in 2008, in ODTU Teknokent, as Turkey’s first R&D firm specialized in usability, ergonomics and interaction technologies.
Soon after the establishment of its research laboratory, UTRLAB started to provide services to Turkey’s largest defence companies such as Aselsan, Roketsan, TAI, STM, Otokar and FNSS.
User is not the weakest link anymore
With its growing expertise, UTRLAB was able to apply state-of-the-art methods that target both cognitive and physical aspects of user/operator performance, within challenging contexts such as RT/NRT weapon systems and complex C4I applications. In many national defense projects, UTRLAB was successful in putting the user’s perspective into practice as a valuable design input for arriving at easy-to-learn, easy-to-use systems. UTRLAB’s success stemmed from the fact that all the design decisions were in line with the motto "fitting job to the man", as much as possible. Focusing on what users can do, rather than what users should do; it was possible to tailor systems that do not push users beyond limits in terms of cognitive and physical abilities. This approach resulted in systems where user performance was not the weakest link.
From anthropometrics to workload assessment
Operating in industries where a holistic approach to ergonomics is a must for developing sound solutions, UTRLAB has invested on both intellectually and technologically, to both ends of the spectrum. UTRLAB’s toolbox and pool of consultants was designed to overcome both physiological and cognitive challenges in analysis and design. After many projects, UTRLAB was able to excel in observational research, eye tracking, remote physiological analysis and computer-aided ergonomics analysis tools; all of which are proven fruitful domains of expertise. Equipped with these abilities, UTRLAB was soon able to cover analysis and design activities that range from hard and soft interfaces, making it possible to provide edge-to-edge, turnkey design solutions.
Iterative and design-oriented research
Although UTRLAB utilizes academic knowledge and expertise, the output always targets appropriate designs that target pragmatic success. Outputs are not only comprised of study results, comprised of tables, statistical analyses and high-level discussions, but also no-nonsense design suggestions that make it possible to steer and speed-up development process. Iterative approach that UTRLAB adopted makes it possible to arrive at solutions tailored around common priorities championed the stakeholders.
Customer acceptance
In the projects where UTRLAB was involved, a boost in user performance was not the only reward. In almost all the projects, the user-centered approach utilized proved to be rewarding in terms of customer acceptance and satisfaction. In most of the cases, it was possible to end up with systems that successfully resonate with user requirements, mental models, ways of doing things and styles of doing things.
Applied research on interaction technologies
Together with providing solutions for ongoing projects in the Turkish Defence Industry, UTRLAB was able to successfully carry out applied research projects on areas such as gaze-controlled and multi-modal interfaces.
In "eyeCompanion" project, utilizing the cutting-edge technologies in gaze control, UTRLAB was able to generate valuable know-how about how a gaze controlled system should be developed in terms of both user interface and system design. Being one of the first complex gaze-controlled interfaces in the world, "eyeCompanion" project was able to set standards for a gaze-controlled user interface.
In the near future, UTRLAB is planning to explore the ways in which this know-how may augment operator performance in a diversity of contexts of use.
The future R&D agenda also targets innovative solutions developed for interfaces that respond to operator workload and context of use.
