Keith Vertanen

Contact

vertanen@mtu.edu
906-487-2331
Rekhi Hall 208

Associate Professor, Computer Science

PhD, University of Cambridge, 2009
M.Phil, Computer Speech, Text, and Internet Technology, University of Cambridge, 2004
MS, Computer Science, Oregon State University, 1999
BA, Computer Science, Mathematics, University of Minnesota Morris, 1997

Biography

Dr. Vertanen specializes in designing intelligent interactive systems that leverage uncertain input technologies. A particular focus of his research is on systems that enhance the capabilities of users with permanent or situationally-induced disabilities. Dr. Vertanen is a subcommittee chair for CHI 2020. Previously he served as an associate chair for CHI 2019, CHI 2018, CHI 2017, IUI 2015, and MobileHCI 2014.

Links of Interest

Area of Expertise

Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)
Accessible computing
Speech and Language Processing
Mobile Interfaces
Crowdsourcing

Recent Publications

Student co-authors denoted by *. Conference acceptance rates listed where available.

Vertanen, K., Fletcher, C.*, Gaines, D.*, Gould, J.*, Kristensson, P.O. The Impact of Word, Multiple Word, and Sentence Input on Virtual Keyboard Decoding Performance. In Proceedings of the ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI 2018). Acceptance rate: 26%
Walker, J.*, Li, B.*, Vertanen, K., Kuhl, S. Efficient Typing on a Visually Occluded Physical Keyboard. In Proceedings of the ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI 2017), 5457-5461. Acceptance rate: 25%
Vertanen, K., Memmi, H.*, Emge, J.*, Reyal, S. *, and Kristensson, P.O. VelociTap: Investigating Fast Mobile Text Entry using Sentence-Based Decoding of Touchscreen Keyboard Input. In Proceedings of the ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI 2015), 659-668. Best paper. Acceptance rate: 23%

Recent Funding

Automatic Speech Recognition using Deep Neural Networks (PI), Michigan Tech Research Excellence Fund (REF) award (2018). This project will create a state-of-the-art speech recognition engine for use in interactive systems for instrumented environments and wearable devices, $45K.
NSF CAREER: Technology Assisted Conversations (PI), National Science Foundation (2018). This project will investigate how technology can augment our conversations, including for individuals who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices, $539K.
Sensing and Feedback for On-Body Input (PI), Paul William Seed Grant, Michigan Tech's Institute of Computing and Cybersystems (2018). This project will investigate how to appropriate everyday surfaces, including one's own body, as an input device for interactive systems, $44K.
Less is More: Investigating Abbreviated Text Input via a Game (PI), Google Faculty Research Award (2016). This project will investigate how to improve touchscreen text input by allowing users to abbreviate their input, $47K.