As the name of our company already states, we have been researching in the field of virtual, augmented and mixed reality since our foundation. Thanks to affordable hardware, these immersive technologies have arrived in the middle of society. Our research focuses span from immersive analytics to training and planning applications. In the research area of Immersive Analytics, we are looking for new solutions to overcome the barriers between people and their data. People live in a 3D world and are used to processing and interacting with 3D information. We use VR and AR technologies to visualize complex information - this simplifies data analysis and improves data understanding. The user stands in the visualization of his data, not just in front of it.
Another focus of our research is on VR training applications that enable users to immerse themselves in highly realistic environments and events, and to gain a sustainable learning experience. Virtual reality is the perfect tool to recreate scenarios that are otherwise too difficult or expensive to train "for real". This is especially true for scenarios that are dangerous for humans or their environment or are characterized by great scene complexity and special collaboration needs.
The third focus of our research area "Extended Reality" is planning. Planning processes are complex and error-prone. 3D visualizations in combination with virtual reality are the optimal basis for a better understanding of data as well as better communication about the project and its progress. Similarly, in the field of planning, we are researching the combination of Mixed Reality and BIM (Building Information Modeling). With the help of MR, we translate the three-dimensional, computer-based BIM building models into reality to optimize and enhance construction and planning processes. Through the additional use of Extended Reality, planning and engineering teams gain completely new perspectives by being able to view the 3D models detached from the screen and actually enter them in three dimensions. Along our company motto "He who sees, understands", an on-site model walk-through proves to be the best option to eliminate communication problems and construction obstacles.
Virtual Reality for military mission planning
The Austrian Armed Forces use a VR application developed by VRVis to plan maneuvers and operations around the world. Urban scenes are reconstructed in 3D from satellite images so that users can move freely within them: for training in local knowledge, for mission planning through to maneuver exercises or for planning rescue operations. This VR application is an important application for modern armed forces, as it offers several advantages at once: Complex geographic content is conveyed that cannot be transported on two-dimensional maps, operational areas are learned about "from a distance," and all operations in the simulation are documented for command generation and planning.
Augmented and Mixed Reality in the pharmaceutical industry
Pharmaceutical research and development is characterized by high quality requirements. In order to improve ongoing process development, an international pharmaceutical group relies on an augmented reality solution from VRVis. The AR solution is used in the laboratories for monitoring ongoing experiments and helps to optimize workflows through user guidance as well as enabling global collaborative working.
Reconstruction of historic buildings, monuments and cultural heritage landmarks
Of all building structures, historic, landmarked buildings as well as landmarks are most at risk from the ravages of time. The VRVis uses drone imagery and 3D laser scans to reconstruct these architectural and cultural heritage landmarks using extended reality methods and make them experienceable in virtual reality. This serves the purpose of documentation and cultural mediation, in that even the smallest and finest facade elements or decorative elements can be depicted. These models also facilitate the documentation of facade changes, maintenance as well as predictive maintenance.
Automatic creation of visualization models in VR through interface from GIS to XR enables faster mission planning.
The Beaucoup project's multisensory, inclusive toolsets enable barrier-free exploration of and interaction with cultural heritage targeted at older adults.
The CosmoWeather research project aims to develop VR and AR solutions for experts and the general public to make the research field of space weather more accessible and understandable.
VR and AR provide new solutions for the automotive industry, especially in the prototyping phase: Perfect digital VR twins can be used to easily check how new designs or adaptations affect the prototype.
The research project CognitiveXR focuses on developing a platform that enables cognitive augmentation in the smart city domain by seamlessly integrating augmented reality, edge computing, and artificial intelligence.
The virtual reality solution developed by VRVis in collaboration with the Vienna State Opera enables digital collaborative stage design and construction rehearsal processes - independent of the actual stage space.
The goal of the project MARAMT is to develop a software framework to significantly reduce the effort required to work with existing and future complex cyber-physical systems.
An augmented reality solution for optimizing process development in laboratories and monitoring ongoing experiments supports pharmaceutical research.
Development of extended reality technologies to create virtual maneuver scenarios based on real geographic data.
XREye synthesizes innovative VR, eye-tracking, and visual simulation technologies for simulating visual impairments in virtual and augmented reality.
New technologies and security policy developments bring a paradigm shift for the Austrian armed forces. The use of information and communication measures entails both challenges and opportunities: for combat, security and rescue manoeuvres.
ARCHES - Accessible Resources for Cultural Heritage EcoSystems was an EU-funded Horizon2020 project coordinated by VRVis.
Fire training for non-professionals is expensive, complicated and dangerous. The solution: a simulation in a virtual environment.
This project is dedicated to training and workflows in Mixed Reality.
With Augmented Reality, simulation results of car engine noises become visible.
A more efficient way to create operating manuals from existing databases for product life cycle management using Augmented Reality.
Localization of Virtual Sound Sources: Effects of Pointing Method, Visual Environment, and Training.
In order to preserve the architectural heritage, we use methods of photogrammetry, thermography, photometry as well as laser scans to carry out inventories, recognition and documentation of changes in protected buildings.
Improving and combining multiple sensors to increase the accuracy and reliability of modern surveying equipment.
The head of our Immersive Analytics Area, Katharina Krösl, received the prestigious Women in Tech Award of the Futurezone.
Katharina Krösl was honored for her outstanding achievements in the field of research.
Immersive Analytics-Area coordinator Katharina Krösl is nominated for futurezone's Women in Tech Award 2022.
VRVis researcher Katharina Krösl received an Honorable Mention at the IEEE VR 2022 for her dissertation "Simulating Vision Impairments in Virtual and Augmented Reality."
The paper "Neural Cameras: Learning Camera Characteristics for Coherent Mixed Reality Rendering", which was written with VRVis participation, was awarded the Best Conference Paper Award at ISMAR 2021.
Our VR/AR specialist Katharina Krösl was awarded the Young Experts Award of the Austrian Computer Science Day 2021.
ARCHES was selected from nearly 400 projects from all over the world as one of the finalists in the category "Inclusion & Empowerment".
Daniela Stoll receives the EPILOG Best Poster Award and Elitza Vasileva the Siemens Award for Excellence 2020.
The EU project ARCHES is nominated for the Heritage in Motion Award 2020.
Horizon2020 project "ARCHES" receives Austrian WSA Award 2020 for the use of key enabling technologies in barrier-free art education.
The Horizon2020 project ARCHES, coordinated by VRVis, was shortlisted for the Horizon Impact Award from more than 200 projects.
Katharina Krösl won the Best Research Demo Award with the live demo of her project "XREye".
Katharina Krösl was awarded with the 3rd place in the Thesis fast forward track of the SIGGRAPH 2019 in Los Angeles in August 2019.
Paper "ICthroughVR: Illuminating Cataracts through Virtual Reality" by Katharina Krösl is nominated for the Best Conference Paper at the IEEE Virtual Reality conference, which takes place from 23 to 27 March 2019 in Osaka (Japan)!
VRVis wins the eAward 2019 for the project VR Fire Safety Training in the category "Training".
The eAward honors IT projects with the greatest customer benefit. The VRVis is nominated in three categories!
VRVis received two awards at this year's CESCG taking place from April 10-12, 2017 in Smolenice, Slovakia.
A Best Poster Award and a Best Poster - VAST Challenge Choice Award at the IEEE VIS go to VRVis! The IEEE VIS took place 1st to 6th October 2017.
VRVis and dsts advisers to executives KEG received the "eAward 2011 Lower Austria" for their project "Virtual Reality Biofeedback Training.
N. Brändle, T. Matyus, M. Brunnhuber, G. Hesina, H. Neuschmied, M. Rosner, Realistic Interactive Pedestrian Simulation and Visualization for Virtual 3D Environments, in Proceedings of Conference on Virtual Systems and Multimedia (VSMM 2009):pp.179-184, VSMM 2009 Best Paper