HumanTech Institute

The HumanTech Institute is a multidisciplinary research institute at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Western Switzerland (HES-SO). Established in January 2013 and led by Professor Elena Mugellini, it brings together around 30 professors, researchers, doctoral students and engineers. Its mission is to conduct research and development at the intersection of technology, economics and human sciences, placing people at the heart of technological progress and promoting well-being and quality of life.

The Institute develops and investigates solutions for a more responsive, inclusive and sustainable “Smart Society.” Its research focuses on advanced interfaces and smart spaces, including multimodal interaction, human-computer interaction, machine learning and the Internet of Things. It also works on information management and intelligent data analysis, using methods such as data mining, information visualisation and semantic technologies to support understanding and decision-making. A third area, product and service design, applies user-centred design, usability testing, ergonomics and participatory methods to interactive systems and products. Projects address settings such as homes, workplaces, mobility, health and smart cities.