The Human Factors and Ergonomics Lab (HF&E Lab), directed by Prof. Jangwoon Park, investigates how physical and cognitive ergonomics can be jointly optimized to improve human performance, comfort, and safety in complex system environments. Our mission is to advance human-centered design through empirical research, digital twin modeling, and interdisciplinary engineering applications across the automotive, healthcare, and industrial domains. We develop integrated design methodologies that connect experimental ergonomics, sensing, and computational modeling to create products and environments that respond intelligently to human needs. Our research program spans three primary areas:

1. Vehicle Seat Design and Thermal Comfort Optimization

We study how drivers and passengers physically interact with vehicle seats to achieve optimal comfort and safety. By combining 3D anthropometry, thermal sensing, and pressure mapping, our team develops predictive models that link seat geometry, occupant posture, and perceived comfort. Through long-term collaboration with Hyundai Motor Company, the lab has pioneered objective evaluation systems for seat fit, thermal comfort, and human–seat interaction, enabling the next generation of adaptive and intelligent seating systems.

2. Anthropometric Design and Human Variability Modeling

Our lab integrates large-scale 3D body-shape data into the design of wearable products, protective gear, and inclusive built environments. As part of the national YouthShape.US project with the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI), we are constructing a comprehensive anthropometric database for Hispanic children and adolescents. This work enhances design inclusivity and supports the creation of customizable, data-driven ergonomic standards across multiple industries.

3. Control Room Design for Safety-Critical Systems

We explore how human–machine interfaces (HMI) affect cognitive workload, decision-making, and error in safety-critical operations such as pipeline control rooms. Our ongoing U.S. Department of Transportation PHMSA project—the first ever awarded to an R2 institution—applies functional digital twin technologies to optimize control room design and mitigate human error in the oil and gas midstream sector. These insights extend to operating room workflow design, where ergonomic layout and perceptual feedback systems are used to enhance situational awareness and team coordination.

The HF&E Lab integrates engineering design, human factors, and data analytics to build a scientific foundation for designing physically and cognitively adaptive systems. By linking fundamental research with real-world applications, our goal is to redefine how humans and complex systems interact—creating safer, smarter, and more human-centered technologies for the future.

The lab is currently housed within the Industrial Engineering Program at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, with active collaborations with Hyundai Motor Company, the U.S. Department of Transportation (PHMSA), and the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI).