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Hochschule Karlsruhe Hochschule Karlsruhe - University of Applied Sciences Hochschule Karlsruhe Hochschule Karlsruhe - University of Applied Sciences
Hochschule Karlsruhe Hochschule Karlsruhe - University of Applied Sciences

Institute for Intelligent Interaction and Immersive Experience

Profile

Our Vision

  • To fully explore what's possible tomorrow by working at the forefront of what's technologically feasible to improve the interaction/communication experience between people and technology.
  • We envision good human-computer interaction technology as an unobtrusive, adaptive and supportive part of our everyday lives, providing context-sensitive feedback and understanding of human needs.

Our Mission

  • Bridging the gap between technology, design, and human behavior by fostering research and development of intelligent, user-centric applications.
  • Work on methodologies and tools that advance the field while considering ethical and social implications.
    Foster collaboration among research institutions, industry, and cultural institutions, and encourage the exchange of ideas, insights, and best practices to create more effective and inclusive human-computer interaction solutions that benefit diverse stakeholders.
  • Educate and train the next generation of human-computer interaction professionals, equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and mindset to contribute to an equitable future between humans and machines.

 

Contact

Main Campus
Building E
Moltkestr. 30 
76133 Karlsruhe

Mail: matthias.woelfelspam prevention@h-ka.de
Directions via GMaps

Fields of Research

Intelligence

  • Signal Processing & Machine Learning
  • Natural Language Processing (Dialogue Systems)
  • Personal Assistants 

Interaction

  • Conversational User Interfaces
  • 3D Gesture Recognition & Analysis
  • Non-Verbal Communication
  • Calm Computing

Immersion

  • Embodiment & Presence
  • Immersive Learning
  • Location Based Virtual Reality
  • Social Virtual Reality
  • Projection Mapping

News from the Institute

  • Prof. Dr. Matthias Wölfel stands at the lectern on the stage of the Media Theater at the ZKM Karlsruhe and speaks to an audience in a dark hall with blue lighting. Several people sit in rows in front of him and listen attentively. Dr. Wölfel is wearing a dark jacket and jeans. At the top left of the picture, in large, bright blue letters, is the text: "The Fabrication of Truth".

    Symposium "The Fabrication of Truth" engages 250 participants from academia, education, and society

    With the symposium "The Fabrication of Truth", the Institute for Intelligent Interaction and Immersive Experience (IIIX) at Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences, together with the ZKM | Center for Art and Media Karlsruhe and the Carl Zeiss Foundation, made a strong statement. Around 250 participants discussed disinformation, artificial intelligence and society's approach to truth on October 24, 2025.

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  • PhD Student Fiona Schmidbauer (IIIX) stands to the right of conference chair Prof. Mario Barajas Frutos at the Best Student Paper Award ceremony at ICETC 2025, holding the certificate for the award.

    The IIIX at ICETC 2025: Awarded Research

    The Institute for Intelligent Interaction and Immersive Experience (IIIX) was represented with four contributions at this year's International Conference on Education Technology and Computers (ICETC 2025) in Barcelona. In addition to exciting presentations on AI-supported study guidance, learning humor from chatbots and the VR Campus, the IIIX was also delighted to get a special award: Fiona Schmidbauer received Best Student Paper for her research in the field of virtual learning spaces.

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  • Das Bild zeigt Matthias Wölfel bei einem Vortrag vor einer Leinwand, auf der "Institute for Intelligent Interaction and Immersive Experience" geschrieben ist.

    Prof. Dr.-Ing. Matthias Wölfel is the new editor-in-chief of the international journal EAI Endorsed Transactions on Creative Technologies

    The Institute for Intelligent Interaction and Immersive Experience (IIIX) is delighted to announce the new role of institute director Prof. Dr.-Ing. Matthias Wölfel as Editor-in-Chief of the international journal EAI Endorsed Transactions on Creative Technologies. With the journal's thematic reorientation, Prof. Wölfel is placing greater focus on the interface between AI, immersive media, and creative practice.

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  • Graphic in the style of an event poster. On the left, the event information can be read in capital letters: "The fabrication of truth - fake news and deepfakes in a post-factual society. 24.10.2025, ZKM Karlsruhe". Below the program items: "Keynotes, lectures, panels, workshops, hands-on stations, knowledge islands". At the bottom it says: "Call to Participation". On the right is a portrait of a person with a stylized, multi-part face mask, with blurred newspaper articles in the background. The design is in dark blue and beige tones.

    Invitation to the symposium "The Fabrication of Truth: Fake News and Deepfakes in a Postfactual Society" at the ZKM Karlsruhe

    The Institute for Intelligent Interaction and Immersive Experience (IIIX) is hosting an interactive symposium at the ZKM Karlsruhe on the topic of "The Fabrication of Truth: Fake News and Deepfakes in a Post-Factual Society". The event takes place October 24, 2025 and is part of the project "Reality Check: Fake or Fact in the Age of Generative AI", which was initiated by IIIX and is funded by the Carl Zeiss Foundation. The aim of the project is to sensitize young people to the challenges of digital disinformation. Contributions are currently being sought for the symposium - interested parties are invited to submit their own formats or ideas by July 31, 2025.

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  • The picture shows five people standing on a stage in front of a large screen with the inscription "delina 2025". In the center, Nadine Knobloch holds the trophy. To her left are Dr. Oliver Langewitz and Prof. Dr. Matthias Wölfel, to her right Oskar Tanaka and Sünne Eichler. They are all smiling at the camera, the background is bright yellow with the LEARNTEC logo at the bottom right.

    Third place for the VR project "Im Labyrinth der Demokratie (In the Labyrinth of Democracy)" at the delina Award 2025

    The VR project "Im Labyrinth der Demokratie: Finde deinen Weg (In the labyrinth of democracy: find your way!)" was awarded third place at the delina Award 2025 at LEARNTEC. The interactive film project teaches young people about democratic decision-making processes in an immersive way using virtual reality (VR). The IIIX was scientifically involved - another example of the institute's ongoing commitment to media education work with young people.

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  • The image shows a group of people in a dark 180-degree projection environment. They are looking at a large-scale projection showing the structure of a historic airship. The scene is kept in muted colors, the people are visible as silhouettes, while the projection is the main focus.

    The IIIX Teaser is here!

    After intensive preparations and an exciting day of filming, the teaser about the Institute for Intelligent Interaction and Immersive Experience (IIIX) is now ready and released. The short film offers insights into life and work at the institute and shows the range of technologies and projects being developed at IIIX.

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  • The picture shows the Embodied Conversational Agent of the IIIX, depicted as a life-size virtual character with short brown hair, glasses, a white shirt with the HKA logo and blue jeans. The agent stands in front of a brick wall and raises his hand in a friendly greeting.

    The IIIX Embodied Conversational Agent at ResearchContacts 2024

    On 7 November, the IIIX presented its innovative projects at the ResearchContacts transfer fair, including the Embodied Conversational Agent, a life-size interactive virtual conversation partner. With impressive real-time communication and AI-supported functions, it was a magnet for the public and informed visitors about the institute and the HKA.

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  • Cameraman Jan Holthaus was photographed from behind, filming Simon Janzer with his face-tracking technology

    Teaser filming in the iXperience Lab

    On September 25, the staff of the Institute for Intelligent Interaction and Immersive Experience (IIIX) came together to film a teaser about the iXperience Lab - the institute's research laboratory. The footage will be used for the institute's general external communication to present the innovative work of IIIX to a wider audience, for example at Research Contacts 2024, HKA's research transfer event.

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  • Vier Teilnehmerinnen sitzen in einer Diskussionsrunde, ein Teilnehmer steht hinter einem Redepult und klatscht.

    MERLOT project presented at the 4th Meeting of the Brazilian Diaspora of Science and Innovation in Germany

    Representing the MERLOT project, IIIX employee Nathalia Sautchuk Patricio attended the Meeting of the Brazilian Diaspora of Science and Innovation in Berlin on 7 June 2024. She presented the MERLOT educational assistant ‘OPRA’ at the panel discussion on research into different applications of artificial intelligence (AI). The meeting highlighted the joint efforts and successes of Brazilian scientists in Germany and created a common goal of promoting science and technology. The event provided a platform for important debates on the role and potential of artificial intelligence in various fields, thereby strengthening the collective commitment of Brazilian researchers to innovation and progress.

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  • Petra Olschowski from the Ministry of Science, Research and Arts visits the IIIX

    On June 27, 2024, Petra Olschowski, Baden-Württemberg's Minister of Science, Research and Arts, visited Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences (HKA) and our Institute for Intelligent Interaction and Immersive Experience (IIIX) together with her team.

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  • Fiona Schmidbauer and Evelyn Heller preparing for the live demonstration of the VR Campus

    IIIX at LEARNTEC 2024

    LEARNTEC, Europe's leading trade fair for digital education, took place in Karlsruhe from June 4 to 6, 2024. LEARNTEC enables the exchange of information on the latest trends and innovations for digital education in schools, universities and at work. This year, the Institute for Intelligent Interaction and Immersive Experience (IIIX) was once again represented with exciting contributions.

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  • In the background of the picture you can see a hilly landscape and a fairytale castle, in the foreground the logo of the game Alice in Interactiveland

    Students of the IWI Faculty develop a computer game supported by AI

    In the winter semester 2023/2024, students from the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Systems (IWI) developed a computer game using artificial intelligence (AI). The development took place as part of a student project and used the equipment of the iXperience Lab, including the 180° screen, to create an immersive gaming experience. Niklas Oesterle, who helped develop the game, talks about the development process.

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  • Oliver Langewitz and Matthias Wölfel sit opposite each other

    How to use AI for web videos - An interview with Institute Director Matthias Wölfel

    In a new episode of the mini-series “Producing effective videos for the web”, Professor Dr. Matthias Wölfel was interviewed by book author Dr. Oliver Langewitz. The interview was published as part of the new book “Effective videos for the web” in the series “Learning made easy”. In the 30-minute video, Oliver Langewitz and Matthias Wölfel talk about the numerous possibilities of AI technologies for video production on the web.

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  • Two Girls' Day participants try out their learning worlds in VR.

    Experiencing STEM research: Girls' Day 2024 at the IIIX

    On April 25, 2024, the Institute for Intelligent Interaction and Immersive Experience (IIIX) opened its doors for Girls' Day. In addition to a guided tour of the iXperience Lab, a workshop on virtual reality (VR) was offered. The participants learned the basics of programming and VR technology, designed their own virtual learning worlds and experienced them in VR. The IIIX aims to encourage girls to choose STEM subjects and promote the participation of women in research.

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  • A woman wears VR glasses and is on the VR Campus

    Studying in virtual spaces - a cooperation project with the VBG

    Just over a year ago, in February 2023, the cooperation between the Institute for Intelligent Interaction and Immersive Experience (IIIX) and the Verwaltungs-Berufsgenossenschaft (VBG) began. The aim of the project was to show what studying could look like in the future. To this end, the VBG visited the IIIX with a film team in summer 2023.

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  • The educational assistant OPRA

    Promoting young people's AI skills: Workshop for pupils at IIIX

    Pupils from a year 12 class visited the IIIX to take part in a workshop on artificial intelligence (AI). The aim of the workshop was to promote AI skills among young people. The pupils were given an insight into how generative AI such as ChatGPT works. In the interactive workshop, they were also able to try out the AI-based educational assistant OPRA developed at IIIX, which provides support with career guidance. The workshop ended with a lively discussion in which the students shared their own experiences and asked critical questions.

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  • Daniel Hepperle at the award ceremony with Prof. Dr. Franz Quint, who presented the award on behalf of Dr. Dietmar Ertmann (former KIT Chancellor).

    Daniel Hepperle receives doctoral scholarship from the Heinrich Hertz Foundation

    Daniel Hepperle, employee and Deputy Director of IIIX, has been awarded a doctoral scholarship by the Heinrich Hertz Foundation for outstanding achievements in the current doctoral process. In his thesis "Potential of virtual reality in the context of social science studies", he deals with highly topical, forward-looking concepts that have the potential to improve the way studies are conducted in the future.

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  • Prof. Dr. Matthias Wölfel mit seinem neuen Buch "Immersive Virtuelle Realität: Grundlagen, Technologien, Anwendungen"

    New book publication: "Immersive Virtuelle Realität: Grundlagen, Technologien, Anwendungen"

    From theoretical basics to technical insights and practical applications, Prof. Dr. Wölfel's new book offers an in-depth overview of the field of immersive VR. What makes the textbook special is its interdisciplinary approach and the easy-to-understand presentation of the complex topic for beginners as well as experts who want to deepen their knowledge.

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  • The group together with Susan Zerwinsky, Director of the Goethe-Institut Mannheim and Fiona Schmidbauer from IIIX

    Scholarship holders from the Goethe-Institut visit the IIIX

    The Institute for Intelligent Interaction and Immersive Experiences opened its doors yesterday to 20 pupils as part of the "Schools: Partners for the Future" (PASCH) initiative launched by the Goethe-Institut. The young people, scholarship holders from over 100 different countries were invited to design their own ideal virtual reality learning world.

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  • Prof. Wölfel presents the Virtual Reality Campus

    IIIX Workshop - 10 days of INGENIUM, Chieti-Pescara, Italy

    The Institute for Intelligent Interaction and Immersive Experiences (IIIX) presents the "VR Campus" at the Ingenium Staff Academy in Chieti-Pescara, Italy.

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