Research topics

Examples of use

Screenshot of the viscloud software showing a 3D landscape with water and various infographics on the right side of the image.
The viscloud software tool incorporates a wide range of planning and analysis features on its intuitive user interface.

Simulation, analysis and visualization with viscloud

The award-winning viscloud software bundles our expertise in simulation, hydrodynamic modeling, and visualization in an easy-to-use tool that supports users in quick decision-making. At an unprecedented speed, vidcloud can simulate flood and heavy rainfall scenarios of extensive areas while also enabling analysis - for example, to define hazard zones - and 3D visualizations of the simulation results. As a proven tool in many research projects with Austrian and German cities and regions for developing heavy rainfall hazard maps and disaster management measures, another important application of viscloud lies in climate change adaptation and flood-sensitive urban planning, such as for the implementation of blue-green infrastructure and sponge city concepts.

Screenshot of a software program that can be used to make various heat calculations in buildings.
The Building Energy Modeling-based thermal calculation tool automatically links all necessary data and parameters, significantly simplifying energy planning workflows.

BIM-based thermal comfort simulation for sustainable energy planning

Energy and heat consumption calculation in buildings is a complex matter that energy planners and building physicists had to do mainly manually and step by step until today. To simplify and accelerate the energy planning workflow, we are developing a customized planning tool that combines simulation with digital BIM twins and interactive visualization to give fast and tangible solutions on energy efficiency and HVAC (heating / air conditioning / ventilation) during the planning process. The BEM-based tool (Building Energy Modeling) allows one to select, calculate, and adjust all parameters for the thermal design of a building with just one click and to visualize the simulation results in an interactive 3D model.

Screenshot of an office visualized in the HILITE 3D lighting simulation software, including possible lighting.
The HILITE lighting simulation tool developed in cooperation with Zumtobel enables interactive lighting simulation for all conceivable spatial settings - from offices to showrooms and retail spaces to sports facilities of any size.

Interactive real-time lighting simulation for complex architectural environments

Interactive real-time simulation of light and lighting situations allows the identification of the optimal light sources, illuminances, uniformities, etc., already in the planning process itself and thus excludes unwanted shading, glare effects, or wrong light incidence angles in the final realization. For more than a decade, we have been developing innovative lighting simulation systems for buildings and large areas, such as stadiums, in cooperation with lighting specialists working in the field. With these systems, it becomes instantly apparent how well or poorly the planned lighting scenarios work, thanks to split-second calculations and dynamic 3D visualization. In addition, the straightforward real-time interaction with the simulation by the user, a functionality we specialize in for a wide range of applications, allows light settings and scenes to be modified within seconds, thereby immediately verifying any adaptation.

Two satellite images side by side, the original image on the left is pixelated, the image post-processed by VRVis (on the right) is much clearer.
VRVis' AI-assisted solution enhances the resolution and level of detail of Sentinel-2 satellite imagery (left) using specially applied Super Resolution Reconstruction technology (right).

AI-based parameter derivation for simulations

Simulation of extensive spatial data increasingly relies on freely available satellite imagery, such as the European Sentinel-2 data. However, these data have a fundamental drawback: their resolution is often not fine enough to represent small-scale land parcels or specific spatial details. At VRVis, we explore innovative methods to change this using Super Resolution Reconstruction technology. In this process, existing images are AI-enhanced and, based on "image experiences" of the artificial intelligence, valuable image and texture information is subsequently restored, from which essential input parameters such as soil properties, piping, or water body boundaries can be derived for the simulation.

Bei der Simulation von großen räumlichen Daten wird immer mehr auf frei verfügbare Satellitenbilder, wie beispielsweise des europäischen Sentinel-2-Daten, zurückgegriffen. Diese Daten haben jedoch einen grundlegenden Nachteil: Ihre Auflösung ist oft nicht fein genug, um kleinteilige Landparzellen oder spezifische räumliche Details abbilden zu können. Am VRVis erforschen wir neuartige Methoden, um dies mithilfe von Super Resolution Reconstruction-Technologie zu ändern. Dabei werden existierende Bilder KI-gestützt nachgebessert und basierend auf „Bilderfahrungen“ der Künstlichen Intelligenz wichtige Bild- und Oberflächeninformationen nachträglich wiederhergestellt, aus denen dann wichtige Eingangsparameter wie Bodenbeschaffenheit, Verrohrungen oder Gewässerbegrenzungen für die Simulation abgeleitet werden können.

On the left, a man wearing VR glasses; on the right, the two images he sees through the glasses: the left image has a visual impairment.
The research project "XREye" develops realistic simulations of visual impairments and eye diseases in cooperation with ophthalmologists to make public places and their lighting and guidance systems more inclusive.

Simulating Eye Diseases and Vision in Virtual Reality

Visual impairment and eye diseases such as cataracts, macular degeneration, or diabetes-related visual deficits are widespread and becoming increasingly pressing issues in our aging society. To best address these challenges, a better understanding of the individual impact of impaired vision is essential. For this reason, we focus part of our research in the area of Extended Reality on the simulation and visualization of low vision and eye diseases by using virtual and augmented reality technology. Our simulation tool XREye enables physicians to better understand and consequently treat eye diseases, create more accessible public spaces, re-evaluate standards such as escape route guidance systems, and much more. More about XREye

Projects

Publications