Hi there!
Hello!! I am Nhan Tran, a master’s student in Computer Science + Robotics and Intelligent Systems at Colorado School of Mines. I am advised by Dr. Tom Williams. My research interests are Extended Reality (XR) and Human-Robot Interaction/Teaming (including ubiquitous intelligent systems such as decision support system, autonomous vehicles, UAVs, or multimodal sensor technologies). Currently, I am researching computational models for adaptive augmentation, where the way in which information is communicated to human teammates is adapted on the fly based on their cognitive load and mental states. To achieve this, I am utilizing the humanoid Pepper robot, the Microsoft HoloLens mixed reality headset, and the functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) non-invasive brain imaging device. More broadly, I am investigating how cognitive science research can inform the computational model for a more naturalistic human-agent teaming and developing adaptive AI applications that augment human capabilities. You can find brief descriptions of my projects below or in the Research and Resume pages.
Besides learning and being curious in the classrooms and research labs, I usually hang out at the Linux User Group tinkering with systems, Mines Robotics Club shouting “It’s alive!!!“, or in coffee houses with friends trying new herbal teas like Kermit the Frog! Coffee is not my cup of tea. 🙂
I network
I make videos
I contribute
Publications
- A Hands-Free Virtual-Reality Teleoperation Interface for Wizard-of-Oz Control
Nhan Tran, Josh Rands, and Tom Williams
International Workshop on Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality for HRI | VAM-HRI, 2018
- Augmented, Mixed, and Virtual Reality Enabling of Robot Deixis
Tom Williams, Nhan Tran, Josh Rands and Neil T. Dantam
VAMR/HCI International Conference on Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality | VAMR, 2018
- Mixed Reality Deictic Gesture for Multi-Modal Robot Communication
Tom Williams, Matthew Bussing, Sebastian Cabroll, Elizabeth Boyle, Nhan Tran
ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction | HRI, 2019
SELECTED PROJECTS
- When not coding, I enjoy making videos with friends and tinkering with special effects.
- Also, currently as president of Mines Robotics Club (facebook.com/MinesRobotics), I captured various moments of teams in actions, highlights, and achievements.
- Below are some of my short videos. My Youtube channel is http://youtube.com/c/NhanTrann (139,901 views views as of March 2019).
Testimonials
Nhan is an amazing addition to any team. I had the great fortune to work with Nhan as we built out the backend platform of AirBespoke. He brought an amazing energy to the project that motivated others around him and lifted the overall quality of the user experience significantly. He also has a relentless drive to improve his already impressive coding stack that will take him far as a developer and entrepreneur.
Kylen McClintock
CoFounder, AirBespoke
Last year Kullerstrand Elementary in Wheat Ridge started our first robotics club using the VEX IQ Robotics platform. Kullerstrand is a Title I school with many disadvantaged students who have no idea that such an educational/career path as robotics engineering is even possible for them. During the year, Nhan and Daniel came out from the School of Mines Robotics Club and did workshops with the kids. It was awesome seeing the kids scoot up closer so they could see and hear better. They were totally into it! I can’t tell you how much we appreciated that and how great an impact it had on our students.
Kyle Walker
Teacher & Librarian, Kullerstrand Elementary
Words cannot describe what a great young man Nhan is. He was an instant asset to our team when he worked with us. Nhan is incredibly brilliant and wise for his age. Nhan’s dedication and quick understanding of what we did, provided us great momentum going forward with our programs. Nhan will exceed all expectations and is a person you will want on your team. His technical mindset, and desire to make things easier for the team will make him an asset to any team.
Christopher Kemm
Vice President, Mountain West Credit Union Association