EMIL XR

03/09/2024

🌎 in France, SIGGRAPH 2024 in Denver, in Seattle, setting advanced focus fields, achieving new research results, connecting with brilliant minds — what a whirlwind the past two months have been!
We’re all in and not slowing down anytime soon.

🎬 𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗟 >> 𝗙𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗗 is back for another round!
If you're keen to stay updated on our Lighthouse and funded projects, this is your go-to. The second edition delivers a full range of EMIL updates in under 12 minutes.

⏱ So, talking efficiency - why wait?
Dive in and enjoy the 2nd edition of 𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗟 >> 𝗙𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗗.
↪ https://youtu.be/FZMIeGOgbMY



Aalto University | Filmakademie Baden-Wuerttemberg | Animationsinstitut | University of Bath | Universitat Pompeu Fabra | Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam | Atlas V | Pixelcloud | Polycular | Metropolia University of Applied Sciences | Moverse | Reality Crisis | CREW Brussels | SenseGlove

0:00:00 - Intro0:00:09 - Lighthouse project: Aalto University - Smart Garments 0:01:08 - Lighthouse project: Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg - Location-Based ...

22/08/2024

⏰ Time flies! It's hard to believe it's already been four months since our EMIL teams had the privilege of presenting at FMX 2024.
During this event, we not only delivered a dedicated talk and participated in a panel discussion alongside our EU-funded sibling projects, but we also hosted a diverse range of interactive demo sessions, allowing global visitors to test, explore and provide valuable feedback on our ongoing work.

🌟 This experience was a significant step forward in our vision of international collaboration, fueling our teams for the journey ahead as we continue to establish our laboratory dedicated to advancing virtual, augmented and mixed reality technologies.

🍿 We invite you to watch our newly released FMX 2024 recap video on YouTube, which includes insightful interviews with our project representatives:
↪ https://youtu.be/8DkObmPfZmg

Time flies! It's hard to believe it's already been four months since our EMIL teams had the privilege of presenting at FMX - Film & Media Exchange 2024. Duri...

19/08/2024

CREW is an “international team of researchers, performers, technologists, dramaturgs, musicians, programmers, writers and designers.” Last week, EMIL welcomed their team to the lab in a kickoff meeting for their XR project, Tools for Timon. The project, a “performance machine that enables artists to create and perform and audiences to experience complex stories grounded in VR,” was selected to receive funding as an extension of EMIL’s second funding call. We are thrilled to partner with CREW in this exciting state-of-the-art project for LBX production. Be sure to look for their segment in the next EMIL Fast Forward for more information on the team and their project.

09/08/2024

Helsinki XR Center has released AnimationMaker

Are you looking to create animations for a humanoid model? Look no further! The Helsinki XR Center has released their AnimationMaker tool: https://gitlab.com/hxrc_public/hxrc_animationmaker.

The tool was developed as part of their EMIL-funded Gamified Joint Rehabilitation, Analysis and Training project where the team is looking at developing state-of-the-art XR rehabilitation tools (more details can be found here: https://emil-xr.eu/funded-projects/metropolia-uas-gamerat/). They have released a web-based version that functions as a separate module so that you can use it for your own projects!

Please feel free to try this out and share with anyone you think would find this useful!

02/08/2024

Last week at EMIL's networking meeting with FSTPs, Aalto's lighthouse team was excited to demo its current version of smart garments for our VR sauna case study and get some valuable feedback for further development. 🔥

26/07/2024

✈️ The Minotaur is taking the leap!
Bags are packed - torches, passports, VR glasses and everything else is wrapped up and ready to take the flight to the US.

🎮 We're looking forward to present Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg's Lighthouse project FATE OF THE MINOTAUR at SIGGRAPH 2024, starting this Sunday in Denver.
With its free-roaming setup for up to four players, you can navigate King Minos’ labyrinth, unearth the tragic family saga and face the crucial choice between guilt and redemption.

📍 Find us at the Immersive Pavilion, Exhibit Hall F.
Come by, say hi - we can't wait to see you there!

↪ More information:
https://s2024.conference-program.org/session/?sess=sess232

24/07/2024

🆕 Introducing our new informative format: 𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗟 >> 𝗙𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗗
We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new initiative, designed to keep you updated with the latest developments and achievements from our EMIL Lighthouse and funded projects on a regular basis.

🎬 Our first edition is an information-packed video, delivering all the updates you need in just 13 minutes! Tune in to stay up to date with the remarkable work of all EMIL partners.

🚀 Enjoy and stay tuned – in the world of EMIL, everything is always in motion and the next exciting news just around the corner.

Follow the link to the 1st edition of 𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗟 >> 𝗙𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗗
↪ https://youtu.be/6LRR570MtH4

0:00:00 - Intro0:00:09 - Lighthouse project: Aalto University - Smart Garments 0:01:18 - Lighthouse project: Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg - Location-Based ...

15/07/2024

Discovering the winning projects (FSTPs) from EMIL calls.
Continuing with the series of the FSTPs that were funded in the EMIL Call 2, we are glad to present the "coopXscape" project developed by Polycular, an immersive XR game that improves teamwork across remote and co-located teams.
Read more here... https://emil-xr.eu/polycular-coopxscape/

14/07/2024

🚀🔬 Exciting times in Bath! We're pioneering the use of Virtual Reality (VR) to explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI) visual features and situational context influence user trust in both autonomous vehicles and the healthcare sector. 🌐🚗🏥
By immersing participants in realistic, controlled VR environments, we can elicit genuine feelings of risk, enhancing the ecological validity of our studies. This approach allows us to gather invaluable data on trust dynamics and user perception, paving the way for safer, more reliable AI applications in critical industries. Our findings will inform the design of AI agents to promote responsible use and accurate trust calibration from users.
Stay tuned as we continue to push the boundaries of AI and VR to create a future where technology and human trust go hand in hand! 🤖❤️

25/06/2024

🚀 Can't stop, won't stop - one exciting event after another!
As we (FABW) prepare for our Minotaur’s appearance at next month's SIGGRAPH 2024 in Denver, we're also reminiscing about the FMX - Film & Media Exchange last April. Which is why, we are pleased to share some exclusive insights for those who couldn't attend: The official 𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗟 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 and the 𝗘𝗨 𝗫𝗥 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 are now live on our project channels!

✨ Thanks again to Marcus Korhonen from Aalto Studios for representing EMIL in both sessions and to all representatives of the EU-funded sibling projects. It was an honour to share the stage with Sara Coppola-Nicholson for MAX-R, Niall Murray for Transmixr, Nicolas Patz for XReco and Chris Ebeling for PANEURAMA.
We were also delighted to welcome Anne Bajart, Deputy Head of Unit for Interactive Technologies, Digital for Culture and Education from the European Commission, as a spontaneous and special guest. Thanks for introducing us to the Commission's vision for Virtual Worlds and Web 4.0.

👥 In our Panel Discussion, we talked about the current status of XR, advancements in the acceptance of XR technology over the past couple of years, its accompanying opportunities for more sustainable solutions, personal experiences of being on the cutting edge of technology and the possibilities of integrating AI as an empowering tool.

🤝 Despite the diverse goals of our individual projects, we share a common vision: to shape the future of XR and collaborate in defining its transformative potential across various technologies, industries and our daily lives. Let's continue to share and push the boundaries of our future together.

Both videos can be found on our YouTube channel.
Follow the link below to go directly to the EU XR Panel Discussion:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtKsYlp-CmU

Explore today's XR innovation landscape at the EU XR Panel Discussion. Bringing together five EU-funded projects - PANEURAMA, MAX-R, EMIL, XRECO and TRANSMIX...

21/06/2024

UPF has undertaken a study to compare the same virtual heritage AR experience on our AR Magic Lantern and on a Quest 3 in pass-through AR mode. This was done on location at the remains of ancient Roman Barcelona.

Interesting preliminary results have been obtained. For example, when visitors have the experience on the Quest 3, the rest of visitors in the heritage site basically ignore the user and circulate around at their own pace. However, when visitors are using the ARML, other visitors tend to cluster around the ARML experience to enjoy it.

This seems to indicate that the projection of the augmented stimuli on the physical world by the ARML draws the interest of crowds, fostering group activity and allowing for a shared experience between the ARML holder and the surrounding “non-holders.” This was one of the main goals of the ARML, our EMIL Lighthouse project.
(https://emil-xr.eu/lighthouse-projects/upf-ar-magic-lantern/)

On the other hand the headset experience not only isolates the user from the physical world, but also generates no interest from other museum visitors. We observed that the Quest 3 seems to deter other visitors from any interaction with the headset user, and hence with the AR experience.

07/06/2024

The Aalto team will be presenting the design and implementation of ThermoTouch, our innovative modular wearable interface for thermal and haptic feedback in XR, at the Interaction and Storytelling with(in) Immersive Media Workshop at ACM IMX Conference in Stockholm on June 12th.

We’re thrilled to share our work and can’t wait to connect with friends and fellow innovators. https://transmixr.eu/isim-workshop/

27/05/2024

This May, graduate students from Universitat Pompeu Fabra conducted research on the use of augmented reality in cultural heritage spaces. They are using the new prototype of the AR Magic Lantern (ARML), which is being developed by the UPF node of the EMIL group as their Lighthouse Project. Each student is testing a different facet of usability:

- Klara Wichmann is studying strategies for guiding the user through the exhibit, comparing a compass-like display to an animated guide dog agent.
- Anna Logetskaia is comparing usability factors of the AR Magic Lantern to those on the Meta Quest 3.
- Melanie Chen is studying the usability of different interaction modes on the ARML: tactile (button), dwell, and voice commands.

Their research is part of a Master’s program at UPF called Cognitive Systems and Interactive Media (CSIM), and is supervised by Narcis Pares in the Full-body Interaction Lab. CSIM students use a wide range of XR technologies to study cognition and behaviour. In this case, they are using a projective AR device to study the impact of XR in a museum setting. Their work is a continuation of research performed by the lab since 2017, thanks in no small part to a fruitful collaboration with MUHBA: The Museum of the History of Barcelona. The first prototype of the ARML was developed for and tested in Refugi 307, a citizen-made air-raid bunker, while the current research is conducted in Barcino, an ancient Roman city whose remains are still standing beneath the streets of modern Barcelona.

The Lab intends to incorporate the findings of their research into the design of a rich AR experience for visitors to the site of Barcino.

27/05/2024

🌇 From the depths of the labyrinth to Mile High City.

🌟 We are pleased to announce that Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg’s Lighthouse project, FATE OF THE MINOTAUR, has been accepted at SIGGRAPH 2024. The esteemed conference and exhibition on computer graphics and interactive techniques will feature our location-based VR experience at the SIGGRAPH Immersive Pavilion in Denver, Colorado at the end of July.

🎮 Alongside the latest advancements in AR, VR, MR, interactive projection mapping and multi-sensory technologies showcased at the Immersive Pavilion, FATE OF THE MINOTAUR invites participants to step into the roles of human sacrifices from Athens. Embarking on a journey into the labyrinth of the Minotaur under the command of King Minos, they uncover the tragic family history behind the ancient myth and confront a pivotal decision between guilt and redemption.
With a free-roaming multiplayer setup for up to four players and a stylised aesthetic inspired by ancient Greek pottery and Minoan culture, FATE OF THE MINOTAUR offers an engaging journey through history and mythology.

🧳 Get your passports ready and join us as we bring the Minotaur stateside – ditching the ancient ruins for a taste of the Old West.

21/05/2024

Discovering the winning projects (FSTPs) from EMIL calls.
Continuing with the series of the FSTPs that were funded in the EMIL Call 2, we are glad to present the "CINEVERSE" project developed by Arilyn.
Read more here... https://emil-xr.eu/arilyn-cineverse/

15/05/2024

At Aalto University we are utilising the findings from our lighthouse project for teaching through discussion around user centred design, wearability, integration of electronic into textiles and haptic interaction design with the students of a new course on “Smart Wearables”. Read more about our teaching and student experiences here:

Smart Wearables courses allow students to work on projects in multidisciplinary teams, generating incredibly creative projects and enabling them to learn from each other

30/04/2024

👥 Let’s continue pushing boundaries with innovative XR projects - together!
With momentum and valuable insights gained from FMX - Film & Media Exchange 2024, EMIL-XR enters the final third of its EU-funded project. With 13 projects currently funded through EU open calls and four Lighthouse projects, we're dedicated to remain a hub for innovative XR projects beyond the official funding period (ending in early 2025).
𝗪𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗟 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗱-𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀.

Reach out to [email protected] and benefit from:
✅ Early access to innovation and potential patents/licenses
✅ Expert network and potential customer access
✅ Influential policy-making in the European XR landscape
✅ Potential large-scale beta testing for upcoming XR hardware, systems & platforms
✅ Access to unconventional XR ideas

🔗 From start-ups to established companies, we aim to create fair chances to shape the future of technology – safely, sustainably and with greater connectivity for the greater good.

29/04/2024

💡 EMIL had a fantastic experience at FMX - Film & Media Exchange.
Marcus Korhonen represented EMIL in a presentation and the EU XR Panel Discussion. Together with our EU-funded sibling projects XReco, Transmixr, MAX-R and PANEURAMA, as well as Anne Bajart from the European Commission, we discussed potential ways to make use of extended realities and to continue to support XR creators - small and big ones - with their bright ideas, helping us all to achieve a seamless transition to new technologies in the long term.

In parallel, we had the wonderful opportunity to present some of our funded projects with their live demos:
- AR Magic Lantern by Universitat Pompeu Fabra
- Smart Garments / VR Sauna by Aalto University
- XR-Pain by IDIBAPS
- Climate Change VR by Pixelcloud
- CAPARE by Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
- Project Rembrandt by SenseGlove
- Fate of the Minotaur by Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg

It for sure was a perfect way to exchange visions and collect new inspiration!
We'd like to thank all partners and friends we met and look forward to the next adventures to come.

22/04/2024

Aalto University is excited to share that our paper "Apparent Thermal Motion on the Forearm" has been accepted in this year's Eurohaptics Conference and will be presented in Lille this summer. In this work, we explored the possibility to create a sensation of dynamic heat stimuli moving across the arm by modulating the onset timings of two Peltier cells. The findings can help to simulate, for instance, moving hot steam in Virtual Reality.

19/04/2024

Discovering the winning projects (FSTPs) from EMIL calls.
We now start the series of the FSTPs that were funded in the EMIL Call 2. We are glad to present the "Aardman & Friends: The Immersive Exhibition" project developed by Atlas V in France.
Read more here... https://emil-xr.eu/atlas-v-aardman-friends/

04/04/2024

⏳3… 2… 1… Ready to meet the Minotaur?
🎬 The R&D team at the Animationsinstitut proudly presents the first official trailer for ‘Fate of the Minotaur’, the immersive, location-based experience developed within EMIL. As we approach the midpoint of our EMIL Lighthouse project at Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg, we're happy to share another glimpse into our work for this virtual journey into Greek mythology.

🏛️In ‘Fate of the Minotaur’ players take on the role of human sacrifices from Athens, venturing into the Minotaur's labyrinth under King Minos' orders. They'll uncover the tragic family tale and face themes of guilt and empathy in the ancient myth. Encountering Pasiphae, the protective mother, and Ariadne, the advocate for destruction, players navigate moral decisions challenging the perception of heroism.
Our approach allows for different immersive scale levels, adapting to technical and physical limitations of the location. With a nod to ancient artistry in Greek murals and pottery, the stylized visuals offer an energy-efficient, accessible experience for up to four players.

👉🎮You can meet our team at this year's FMX in Stuttgart and step into the labyrinth yourself. Meet the Minotaur and experience the world of EMIL first-hand.

22/03/2024

Discovering the winning projects (FSTPs) from EMIL calls.
We continue this journey through the FSTPs with the project XR-Pain that will use virtual reality to help people with chronic low back pain!

Read more here... https://emil-xr.eu/idibaps-xrpain/

12/03/2024

Last week Paul and Fran from Pompeu Fabra University visited the Wearable Systems Lab new facilities in Aalto University. The Aalto team showcased the recent progress of their lighthouse prototype of the smart garments that is able to produce haptic and thermal XR experiences. 🔥 ❄

27/02/2024

Discovering the winning projects (FSTPs) from EMIL calls.
We open this journey through the FSTPs with the project CAPARE that will help people with Parkinson's through headset-based AR cues.
Read more here... https://emil-xr.eu/vu-capare/

08/02/2024

The EMIL call 2 funded projects are off to a great start.
All teams actively maintain regular dialogue with consortium partners through weekly tutor sessions to exchange valuable insights, experiences and status updates, ensuring everyone is equipped for success.

Last week Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg had the pleasure of hosting the team from Pixelcloud and their funded project “E.V.I.L. – Climate Change VR” at Animationsinstitut.

Not only did we share the fundamentals of documentation for the EU funding, but we also had the fantastic opportunity to explore their prototype.

Further updates and details will be shared as the projects progress.

02/02/2024

At UPF's EMIL Lighthouse project (https://emil-xr.eu/lighthouse-projects/upf-ar-magic-lantern/) we have been working hard to advance our Augmented Reality Magic Lanterns. You can see their evolution here from the first bulky and open prototype for quickly testing HW options, to the current sleek prototype with a smooth, robust, ergonomic, and aesthetically pleasing one with an HP JetFusion 3D printed shell.

10/01/2024

🌐 Join the EMIL XR Community: Building bridges in the XR landscape

At EMIL, we're committed to fostering a vibrant pan-European XR community. For this, we recently launched the EMIL XR Community on LinkedIn!

🚀 Why join the EMIL XR Community?
This space is designed to unite XR professionals across Europe by promoting knowledge exchange and propelling the development of the European XR landscape. Whether you're knee-deep in an XR project, a seasoned professional or just eager to stay in the loop, the EMIL XR Community welcomes you!

🔗 How to get involved?
If you're curious about exciting developments in XR, we extend our invitation to join the EMIL XR Community. Everyone interested is encouraged to participate, share insights and connect with like-minded professionals.

💬 What to expect?
Engage in discussions, share experiences and gain insights from XR professionals worldwide. Feel free to contribute content from tech reviews and intriguing links to research results, relevant findings and even XR-related job offers.

Join us in shaping the future of XR:
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12909017/



11/12/2023

07/12/2023

On Nov 29th, the Lighthouse project "MinoXR" and its demonstrator were successfully presented to the public for the first time at the XR Day of Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg.
EMIL was also presented as part of the series of insightful input lectures by XR professionals during the event.
A big "Thank you!" to all participants in making this such a great event!

We are now looking forward to SIGGRAPH Asia next week, where Prof. Volker Helzle will feature EMIL, the Lighthouse project and its progess in a panel discussion on "New Dimensions in Extended Reality":
https://asia.siggraph.org/2023/presentation/?id=talks_115&sess=sess320

04/12/2023

UPF EMIL Node is showing progress of its Lighthouse project, the AR Magic Lanterns (https://lnkd.in/dkgg_4iz). We are happy to announce that the new casing of the prototype is now being 3D printed to be tested at the Roman remains of ancient Barcelona.