Everybody working in PEARL is highly skilled and contributes to the success of the research and engagement activities we undertake.

Academics

We work with academics from a range of disciplines including civil engineers, architects and built environment professionals, brain scientists and roboticists.

Researchers

Our innovative Researchers are just as curious about other disciplines as they are their own. They are not tied to specific research grants to allow them the flexibility to work on multiple experiments and projects at a time as needed, as well as pursue their research interests.

Making and Production

Our Making and Production team are highly skilled in designing and constructing environments for experiments, including simulating the best sound, lighting and olfactory conditions for different scenarios. They also assist in the design and manufacture of innovative prototypes and provide much-needed support for a range of technological software and hardware.

Enabling

Our Enabling staff are vital to making all things happen at PEARL. As such, they will form an integral part of the research and experiment teams, so that they have a full understanding of what is needed in a project to support the work involved.

Sound

PEARL’s sound is capable of providing multi-speaker layouts within the laboratory for experiments. Sound can be dynamically moved through the space from quiet and subtle to very loud as required.  Reverb can be manipulated within the laboratory which can allow a listener to perceive the space differently to the carefully designed one-second reverb time that naturally exists within the lab.

The Vibe (sound preparation room) has 16 speakers distributed around the control position. The Vibe is used to prove concepts and prepare sounds ready for transfer into the laboratory. The vibe can be used for smaller sound-based experiments and research.

Lighting and Video

PEARL has a fixed experiment lighting rig consisting of RAYN ROSA lighting fixtures with a custom LED chip set. This enables the replication of a significant range of realistic lighting conditions based on scientific spectral data readings.

We also have:

• Top-of-the-range stage lighting fixtures to supplement the fixed experiment lighting rig.
• Projectors, screens, cameras and video equipment/software with the flexibility to rig throughout the Space.

Effects

PEARL has a large amount of truss and chainhoists which can be rigged throughout the Space. Scenic environments are designed and built to suit each experiment. Previous environments have included an East London Park, a Supermarket, a bus stop bypass, an artist’s studio and environments for creative research and development.

We can also create:

• Smoke and haze to simulate mist, fog, and poor visibility.
• Scent systems to provide a range of scents.

Measurement and Instrumentation

PEARL’s camera systems and CODAMOTION 3D motion tracking systems are used for capturing the movement and position of people and objects.

PEARL has a range of wearable instrumentation used to look at people’s responses to their environments, such as:

• fNIRS (mobile): for localised brain activity
• EEG (non-mobile): for brain activity
• EDA: for naturally occurring changes in electrical properties of the skin to indicate stress
• XSENS: IMUs for 3D body motion
• Eye Tracking for measuring eye movements and fixations
• Heart Rate Monitors for measuring heart rate
• Ecoport: for hearing
• Thermal Camera: for body temperatures
• FSCAN: insole sensors for pressure distribution whilst walking and grip sensors for grip
• Eye Test Devices (colour vision, visual acuity): for eye tests