Gerd Bruder

Gerd Bruder is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Central Florida and a Research Associate Professor at the Institute for Simulation and Training. His work bridges computer science, human factors, and immersive technologies, with a focus on Extended Reality (XR) systems.

Education:

• Habilitation, Computer Science, University of Hamburg, Germany (2017)
• Ph.D., Computer Science, University of Münster, Germany (2011)
• M.Sc., Computer Science with minor in Mathematics, University of Münster, Germany (2009)

Dr. Bruder’s research centers on human-computer interaction in virtual and augmented environments. His interests include perception, 3D user interfaces, display technologies, and digital twins, with applications in healthcare, military training, architecture, and smart environments. He investigates how users perceive and interact with immersive systems, leveraging illusions and redirection techniques to enhance experience and usability.

His recent publications reveal a strong trend in trust, cognitive load, and social interaction in XR. Themes include user transitions between realities, robot reliability perception, multisensory feedback, and AI integration. His work often explores how visual and spatial cues affect user behavior and decision-making in complex environments.

Scientific Awards:

• Best Paper Award, ACM VRST 2023
• 2021 Innovation Award, TechConnect World
• Multiple Best Paper, Demo, and Poster Awards from ACM and IEEE conferences (2008–2021)

Dr. Bruder leads an active research group, mentoring students and collaborating on grants and patents related to AR/VR systems. His work is supported by interdisciplinary teams and institutions, including UCF’s Institute for Simulation and Training. He has co-authored numerous patents in AR magnification, audiovisual detection, and virtual human simulation.

His lab focuses on immersive environments, digital twins, and human factors in XR. Projects involve collaborative mixed reality, perceptual illusions, and real-world applications in training and healthcare.