Technology

J.S. Held Human Factors and User Experience Experts Benefit from Biomechanist & Human Behavior Specialist

Published

2 years ago

October 1, 2024

JERICHO, N.Y., Oct. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The global consulting firm, proudly celebrating 50 transformative years, has gathered a curated collection of experts who together form Human Factors & User Experience at J.S. Held. These visionaries understand the intricacies of their fields and have conducted, and overseen user experience research at companies like Google, Microsoft, and Siemens. Their combined academic and industry credentials are notable and distinguish the J.S. Held team among human factors and user experience experts.

J.S. Held human factors and user experience experts advise clients throughout the product lifecycle.

J.S. Held’s expertise in human factors, product safety, and user experience is proactive, focused on the product development process, and reactive, providing forensic human factors and product failure analysis to support investigations and dispute advisory. In-house experts advise clients throughout the product lifecycle, from ideation and interaction design through validation, which distinctly qualifies our experts to assess subject allegations and render expert opinions based on scientific evidence and firsthand experience.

The highly collaborative team includes published and credentialed specialists in healthcare, automotive, and children’s products and benefits from collaboration with an in-house biomechanist and human behavior specialist, who brings over a decade of experience in research strategy and execution across academic and industry settings to generate quantitative user experience insights through the combined analysis of human motion and physiological signals (including neural, muscular, and cardiovascular measures).

Human factors experts at J.S. Held investigate and testify in myriad cases, including automotive accidents, premises liability, product liability/failure to warn, medical device failures, class action lawsuits, and Proposition 65 litigation. At J.S. Held, we understand that legal matters often involve complex technical, scientific, and financial issues – areas where our specialized knowledge in forensic investigations, econometric analysis, and related teaching vs telling approach to expert testimony strengthens the trial team.

Across J.S. Held’s experts, user research is informed by insights gleaned from alleged product failures on the reactive side of their work, while expert witness testimony is given with the authority of experts who are actively engaged in the evaluation and development of products and services. Whether the client’s need is proactive or reactive, understanding where things go wrong and why uniquely positions J.S. Held as a trusted advisor in product safety and user research – helping clients develop products and services that are effective, user-friendly, and safer.

Dr. Robert Rauschenberger, Ph.D., oversees a team of predominantly Ph.D.-level researchers with academic backgrounds in cognition, perception, developmental psychology, human factors, biomechanics, and kinesiology, with degrees from notable institutions such as Harvard, Notre Dame, and Johns Hopkins. Dr. Rauschenberger has over 25 years of experience conducting research on topics of visual attention and distraction, the organization of perceptual information, product design, user experience, risk communication effectiveness, and consumer decision-making. He leverages this experience in legal cases across industries for which he has testified in deposition and at trial. Dr. Rauschenberger has cultivated specific expertise in the evaluation of mixed reality (MR) products. His professional background also disposes him toward the evaluation of healthcare products and services.

Select members of Dr. Rauschenberger’s team include:

Dr. Alexander Stamenkovic, Ph.D. – Biomechanist

As a biomechanist and human behavior specialist, Dr. Stamenkovic brings over a decade of experience in research strategy and execution across academic and industry settings to generate quantitative user experience insights through the combined analysis of human motion and physiological signals (including neural, muscular, and cardiovascular measures).Active in the international scientific community, he has authored 20 articles at the intersection of anatomy, biomechanics, and neuroscience and as a peer reviewer for multiple scientific publications, including the Journal of Biomechanics, Motor Control, Human Movement Sciences, Frontiers in Sport & Active Living, Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, JMIR Research Protocols, and IEEE International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality, among others.

Dr. Blake Pellman, Ph.D. – User Experience

Specializes in generating insights into user needs, motivations, and behaviors and evaluating product usability, engagement, effectiveness, accessibility, and safety.Dr. Pellman crafts bespoke user research that targets clients’ unique products and business needs.Before joining J.S. Held, Dr. Pellman was a user experience researcher at Microsoft, where he led proactive UX research to deeply understand user needs and motivations, increase adoption and engagement with consumer services, and develop accessible and immersive interactive experiences. Dr. Pellman has published original research in peer-reviewed scientific journals and has authored review articles and book chapters as a subject matter expert.

Dr. Joe Pauszek, Ph.D. – Healthcare Human Factors

Dr. Pauszek has extensive experience utilizing physiological measures, such as pupillometry via eye tracking, to shed light on the underlying cognitive states of individuals in real time.He has cultivated specialized experience in healthcare research and in the evaluation of medical devices that range in complexity from autoinjectors to robotic surgery systems. This proficiency spans all stages of the medical device lifecycle, from early-stage formative research to formal human factors engineering and usability engineering (HFE/UE) submissions to satisfy regulatory requirements.Serves as a Reviewer for PLOS ONE and Psychological Research and is a member of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.

Dr. Robert (Bobby) Sall, Ph.D. – Automotive Human Factors

Specializes in empirical investigations of driver attention and inattention, driving performance, the design of in-vehicle technology, and hazard perception.Dr. Sall has managed scientific studies for Fortune 500 companies to help them optimize user experiences and product safety, and his work has been crucial to those companies at all stages of product development.He serves as a Reviewer for the Surface Transportation Technical Group, Aging Technical Group, Training Technical Group, the PLOS One Journal, and the Transportation Research Board. He is also a member of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES).

Dr. Rosie Aboody, Ph.D. – Children’s Products

A user experience researcher, she has over ten years of experience researching child development and human cognition. Leveraging this experience, she provides consulting and expert services in human factors and user experience domains.Prior to joining J.S. Held, Dr. Aboody conducted doctoral and postdoctoral research at Harvard, MIT, and Yale University, focusing on child development and computational cognitive science. Dr. Aboody has published more than ten peer-reviewed articles.Leveraging her expertise in experimental design, project management, data collection (including both child and adult samples), and advanced statistics, Dr. Aboody provides impactful and actionable insights to clients.

Dr. Sam Franco-DeWitt, Ph.D. – Physiological Data Recording

Dr. Sam Franco-DeWitt has over 15 years of experience conducting research on topics of human cognition, brain imaging, risk behavior, user experience, and decision-making. Leveraging this experience, he provides consulting and expert services in human factors and user experience domains.He has designed and tested products across multiple industries, including neurotechnology, finance, sports, and virtual reality. Dr. Franco-DeWitt provides unique insights into the user and consumer experience using brain-imaging techniques.He was the Senior Director of R&D at Optios Inc., where he developed neurotechnology that was leveraged in the finance and sports industries.

J.S. Held User experts are retained to work with in-house product development engineers, user experience executives, in-house and outside legal counsel, and claims adjusters. To support the work of experts, J.S. Held owns and operates User Research Laboratories in New York City, Phoenix, Arizona, and Redmond, Washington, and utilizes advanced technology and specialized capabilities, such as optometry, motion capture, eye tracking, physiological data recording, and balance measurement to collect scientific measures and evaluate a wide range of topics.

J.S. Held clients benefit from expertise across the enterprise, as the Human Factors and User Experience team works with toxicologists and industrial hygienists on product liability cases, with accident reconstructionists on vehicular accidents, with mechanical and electrical engineers on product liability cases, with nurses and MDs on medical device and pharma litigation, with the intellectual property (IP) team on product marketing and IP theft cases, and across these and other areas of expertise advising companies throughout the product lifecycle.

The expertise of the J.S. Held Human Factors and User Experience team results in client work that is not just theoretical but grounded in real-world experience and innovation. Examples of our expert contributions to client challenges include:

Designed and executed in-person and remote user research studies, focus groups, task and workflow analyses, heuristic evaluations, and human factors analyses across various industries.Supported manufacturers with human factors engineering and usability engineering regulatory submissions for medical devices.Developed and tested products from early concept through launch and beyond across a variety of technological domains and evaluated learning systems and tutorials for consumer and business products and services through user studies.Assisted companies with development and evaluation of safety communication for consumer, healthcare, and online products by conducting user experience research and user studies.Testified as human factors experts in product liability, class action, and Proposition 65 cases.

Learn more about the dedicated and entrepreneurial experts like Robert, Joe, Bobby, Rosie, Blake, Alexander, and Sam, who help transform J.S. Held, explore our story, and celebrate this momentous milestone, our 50 & Forward celebration, with us at jsheld.com.

About J.S. Held

J.S. Held is a global consulting firm that combines technical, scientific, financial, and strategic expertise to advise clients seeking to realize value and mitigate risk. Our professionals serve as trusted advisors to organizations facing high stakes matters demanding urgent attention, staunch integrity, proven experience, clear-cut analysis, and an understanding of both tangible and intangible assets. The firm provides a comprehensive suite of services, products, and data that enable clients to navigate complex, contentious, and often catastrophic situations.

More than 1,500 professionals serve organizations across six continents, including 81% of the Global 200 Law Firms, 70% of the Forbes Top 20 Insurance Companies (85% of the NAIC Top 50 Property & Casualty Insurers), and 65% of the Fortune 100 Companies.

J.S. Held, its affiliates and subsidiaries are not certified public accounting firm(s) and do not provide audit, attest, or any other public accounting services. J.S. Held, its affiliates and subsidiaries are not law firms and do not provide legal advice. Securities offered through PM Securities, LLC, d/b/a Phoenix IB, a part of J.S. Held, member FINRA/ SIPC or Ocean Tomo Investment Group, LLC, a part of J.S. Held, member FINRA/ SIPC. All rights reserved.

Contact

Kristi L. Stathis | Global Public Relations | +1 786 833 4864 | Kristi.Stathis@jsheld.com

Find Your Expert.®

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SOURCE J.S. Held

Technology

VEVOR Launches “Beat the Heat at Home” Summer Comfort Lineup for Outdoor Living

Published

3 hours ago

June 13, 2026

HOUSTON, June 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As summer temperatures climb, staying cool at home shouldn’t require a sky-high electric bill, a cooler full of gas-station ice, or a contractor booked out until September. A smarter approach is gaining traction among American families: investing in the right tools to make outdoor living genuinely comfortable without the premium price tag. VEVOR — a trusted home improvement brand serving over 30 million home creators worldwide — today launches “Beat the Heat at Home,” a summer comfort lineup featuring shade, ice-making, and airflow solutions that deliver pro-level performance so your backyard truly becomes the place to be this summer.

“Summer comfort is not only about staying cool — it is about making outdoor spaces easier to enjoy,” said Gavin Wu, Brand Director at VEVOR. “With this lineup, VEVOR brings pro-level performance into practical home scenarios, helping Home Creators upgrade their backyards, patios, garages, and hosting spaces at exceptional value.”

Cool Living, Cold Drinks, Total Comfort
For most families, a truly comfortable summer day comes down to three things: a shady spot, a steady supply of ice-cold drinks, and enough airflow to keep the evening from feeling stagnant. Traditional solutions — pergolas, commercial ice machines, wired-in fans — often cost thousands or require contractors.

To bridge this gap, VEVOR’s Annual Big Summer Sale officially introduces the “Beat the Heat” collection. Together, the lineup addresses three common summer comfort needs: shade, ice, and airflow, so every corner of the backyard is covered. By delivering pro-level performance in effortless, budget-friendly setups, VEVOR offers Home Creators the ultimate plug-and-play summer cooling experience, making premium seasonal comfort accessible right out of the box.

Create Shade in Minutes
There’s a specific moment every summer host knows too well: the sun shifts, the one shady corner disappears, and suddenly everyone is squinting, relocating chairs, or retreating indoors altogether. It’s the kind of small frustration that quietly ruins an otherwise perfect afternoon.

VEVOR’s Pop-Up Canopy Gazebo was designed for exactly that moment. Available in 10×10, 11.5×11.5, and 12×12 ft configurations, it turns any open stretch of lawn or driveway into a comfortable, shaded gathering space — and it does so in minutes — designed for tool-free setup from the start. The mesh sidewalls earn their keep once evening arrives: mosquitoes stay out while the breeze still flows through, which means dinner can linger as long as the conversation does.

It’s not a permanent structure, and that’s the point. When the season changes or the party moves, the canopy folds back down just as quickly. For homeowners who want shade on their terms, not on a contractor’s timeline, it offers a flexible alternative to permanent shade structures.

Never Run Out of Ice
Few things signal “this gathering is winding down” faster than reaching into a cooler and finding nothing but lukewarm water and half-melted slush. Bags of store-bought ice solve the problem temporarily, but anyone who has made two mid-party runs to the gas station knows the drill gets old fast.

VEVOR’s Commercial Ice Maker Machine helps home hosts keep up with high-demand summer gatherings. Producing up to 130 lbs of ice every 24 hours and holding 33 lbs in its built-in storage bin, it keeps pace with a full afternoon of refills — lemonade pitchers, cocktail shakers, coolers for the kids’ juice boxes, all of it. The stainless-steel build looks at home in a garage bar or outdoor kitchen, and one-touch self-cleaning means maintenance is measured in button presses, not scrub sessions.

Keep the Air Moving
Anyone who has spent a July evening on a covered porch knows the paradox: the roof blocks the sun, but it also traps every degree of rising heat with nowhere to go. The air sits heavy, the ceiling feels lower than it is, and even a beautiful outdoor space starts to feel like something you’d rather admire from behind a glass door with the AC running inside.

VEVOR’s 18-Inch Wall-Mount Fan was built for exactly these in-between spaces that central air can’t reach and a tabletop fan can’t handle. Three-speed settings push up to 4,150 CFM of airflow across patios, enclosed porches, workshops, and garage gyms. That’s the kind of serious air movement that makes a covered space feel open again. With ETL certification and weather-resistant construction, it is designed for covered or semi-outdoor spaces where moisture and humidity are common.

Mounted on the wall and out of the way, it doesn’t eat into floor space or crowd a table. For households looking to cut back on running central AC in every room all day, a well-placed fan in the spaces where the family actually gathers is often the simplest and most cost-effective first step.

The deals are live — don’t leave them on the table.

Cool your summer now: vevor.com/summer-cooling

Shop VEVOR’s Summer Sale: vevor.com/summer-sale

Visit in person: VEVOR Houston Store: 10951 Farm to Market 1960 Road W, Houston

Summer won’t wait. Neither should your backyard. More deals, more summer-ready upgrades — all waiting for you.

About VEVOR
Pro-Level Performance Without the Pro-Level Price. VEVOR is a home improvement brand built for Home Creators who want to upgrade their spaces with practical, high-performing products at exceptional value. From outdoor living and tools to home improvement equipment and everyday project essentials, VEVOR helps people take on upgrades with confidence, efficiency, and value.

Today, VEVOR operates in over 50 countries, supported by a network of 200+ global warehouses and a catalog of more than 15,000 SKUs spanning tools, outdoor equipment, and home improvement solutions. VEVOR has supported over 30 million Home Creators worldwide, bringing performance, inspiration, and value to their home improvement projects. For more information, visit www.vevor.com. VEVOR products are also available on Amazon.

Media Contact
VEVOR Communications Team
media@vevor.com

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SOURCE VEVOR

Technology

YEEDI Delivers Lowest-Ever Pricing on Self-Cleaning Roller Mop Robot Vacuums With Early Prime Day Deals

Published

3 hours ago

June 13, 2026

Starting June 13, M14 PLUS and S14 PLUS Drop to $399.99, Bringing Advanced Self-Cleaning Roller Mop Technology Into the Sub-$400 Segment

SAN FRANCISCO, June 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — YEEDI, a home cleaning technology brand focused on practical innovation and high-performance smart home solutions, is kicking off Prime Day early by offering its M14 PLUS and S14 PLUS at their lowest prices ever. Starting June 13, both self-cleaning roller mop robot vacuums are available for just $399.99, allowing shoppers to secure Prime Day pricing ahead of the broader promotional event.

The promotion marks a significant milestone for the category, bringing advanced self-cleaning roller mop technology into the sub-$400 segment and making one of the industry’s most sought-after cleaning innovations more accessible than ever before. As part of YEEDI’s “Less Time Cleaning. More Time Playing.” campaign, inspired by a summer of sports, family moments, and everyday adventures, the brand aims to help consumers spend less time on household chores and more time enjoying the moments that matter most. Complete offer details are available at YEEDI.com.

Bringing Premium Roller Mop Technology to More Homes

Roller mop technology has emerged as one of the most significant innovations in robotic floor cleaning, offering continuous scrubbing performance while automatically cleaning the mop during operation. However, robot vacuums equipped with self-cleaning roller systems have traditionally remained concentrated in premium price segments.

By bringing the M14 PLUS and S14 PLUS to $399.99, YEEDI is expanding access to one of the industry’s most advanced floor-cleaning technologies and establishing a new affordability benchmark for self-cleaning roller mop robot vacuums.

YEEDI M14 PLUS Reaches Its Lowest Price Ever

Available for $399.99 (regularly $599.99), the YEEDI M14 PLUS combines the brand’s OZMO Roller mopping technology with ZeroTangle anti-tangle technology to deliver powerful wet and dry cleaning while minimizing maintenance.

The robot is paired with an automated OMNI Station that handles dust collection, hot-water mop washing, and hot-air drying, reducing the need for manual upkeep. Designed for busy households seeking a hands-free cleaning experience, the M14 PLUS now offers premium functionality at an unprecedented value.

YEEDI S14 PLUS Delivers Flagship Cleaning at 67% Off

Available for $399.99 (regularly $1,199.99), the YEEDI S14 PLUS reaches its lowest price in history and represents one of the most compelling values in the premium robot vacuum category.

Winner of the CES 2025 Indoor Cleaning Technology Innovation Gold Award, the S14 PLUS combines YEEDI’s advanced OZMO Roller system and TruEdge 2.0 Adaptive Edge Cleaning technology for enhanced stain removal and edge-to-edge coverage.

Equipped with 18,000 Pa suction power and ZeroTangle 2.0 technology, the S14 PLUS delivers a flagship cleaning experience at a price point rarely seen in the premium robot vacuum market.

More Prime Day Deals Arrive June 23–26

Following the early access promotion, YEEDI will extend Prime Day deals across a broader selection of robot vacuums from June 23 through June 26, giving consumers even more opportunities to upgrade their home cleaning experience.

Featured offers include the YEEDI M16 Infinity at $449.99 (44% off), the YEEDI S20 Infinity at $699.99, the YEEDI S20 Infinity Ultra at $849.99, and the YEEDI S16 PLUS at $449.99. YEEDI will also introduce two new models: the M12 PRO Gen2 at an introductory price of $339.99 and the C14 PRO PLUS at $279.99.

Consumers can visit YEEDI.com to explore full Prime Day deals, and discover how YEEDI’s smart cleaning technology helps them spend less time cleaning and more time enjoying everyday life.

About YEEDI

YEEDI is a home cleaning technology brand dedicated to making advanced robotic vacuum technology practical, reliable, and accessible for everyday households. Guided by its philosophy of Accessible Innovation, YEEDI focuses on delivering powerful, user-friendly cleaning solutions that prioritize real-world usability, low maintenance, and long-term value.

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SOURCE YEEDI Technology

Technology

/R E P E A T — MEDIA INVITATION – Over 3,000 visitors expected in Montréal to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Dead by Daylight/

Published

3 hours ago

June 13, 2026

The world’s most profitable horror game, created in Montréal by Behaviour Interactive

MONTREAL, June 12, 2026 /CNW/ – Behaviour Interactive invites members of the media to attend the celebrations marking the 10th anniversary of Dead by Daylight, one of the greatest success stories of Québec’s video game industry. The program will include cosplay contests, panels, autograph sessions, gaming stations, and many surprises.

For the occasion, more than 3,000 fans from around the world will gather in Montréal to take part in a full day of festivities at the Grand Quay of the Port of Montréal. This event will highlight the remarkable journey of a game developed in Québec that has become a global leader, reaching over 70 million players and generating more than 450 highly specialized jobs in Montréal.

WHAT : Dead by Daylight 10th Anniversary Celebrations

WHEN : Sunday, June 14, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

WHERE : Grand Quay of the Port of Montréal
200 de la Commune Street West
Montréal, Québec H2Y 4B2

Media representatives will have access to a dedicated space at the Grand Quay.

Interviews can be arranged on-site throughout the day with prior reservation.

Available spokespersons

Rémi Racine, Chief Executive Officer and Co-FounderJosé Ramos, Vice President, Product, Dead by DaylightDave Richard, Senior Creative Director, Dead by DaylightMathieu Côté, Head of Partnerships, Dead by DaylightStéphanie Marchand, Chief Operating OfficerNathan Sellyn, Deputy CEO

Please confirm your attendance at: jmeloche@national.ca

SOURCE Behaviour Interactive Inc.