Human-Technology Interaction

Overview

Information technology and automation are increasingly present in our daily lives. From the modern workplace to societal issues like transportation and even more private issues like stress management: people need to interact with technology, and technology needs to understand its user. Only then can we attain our goals – for example, as an individual trying to reduce stress using an app, as a society to achieve sustainability goals, or as a developer of self-driving cars that users have to trust. Thereby, understanding and supporting human–technology interaction is becoming both a practically and socially relevant issue. How do you fit technology to its user?

This compelling question is core to studying human-technology interaction. Fundamental technical and societal issues demand resolution. How should robots approach humans? How should we design music recommender systems? What is the effect of office lighting on burnout? When do humans trust algorithms – and how can we rebuild trust when they fail? How should brain-computer interfaces be designed? Can streetlighting be used to decrease aggressive behavior in entertainment areas? Can regular online learning assessment help improve student performance? The Human-Technology Interaction is offered at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) .

Career

Specialists in human-technology interaction are in demand by academic, governmental and private organizations, where they work in research, development or consultancy. 

As a graduate of this program, you can find opportunities in areas such as telecommunications, sustainable energy, consumer electronics, the printing industry, the aviation and automotive industries or financial companies. 

Many of our graduates go on to work for companies like Philips, DAF, Océ and KPN, as well as universities and (international) research institutes such as TNO.