Hochschule Karlsruhe Hochschule Karlsruhe - University of Applied Sciences
Hochschule Karlsruhe Hochschule Karlsruhe - University of Applied Sciences
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 Embodied Conversational Agent of the IIIX: At ResearchContacts 2024, the life-size virtual conversation partner impressed with its natural communication and interactive capabilities.

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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ResearchContacts took place at Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences (HKA) on 7 November 2024. The annual transfer fair offers companies, research institutes and all interested parties a platform to exchange ideas and initiate collaborations. From 10:00 to 15:00, 17 HKA institutes and facilities presented their innovative projects in the foyer of Building B. In addition to the exhibits, visitors were offered a varied accompanying programme.

The IIIX at ResearchContacts

The Institute for Intelligent Interaction and Immersive Experience (IIIX) was also represented with its own stand. As one of the 14 research institutes of the HKA, the IIIX offered exciting insights into its fields of research:

  •     Intelligence: signal processing and machine learning, natural language processing (dialogue systems), personal assistants
  •     Interaction: Conversational user interfaces, 3D gesture recognition and analysis, non-verbal communication, calm computing
  •     Immersion: embodiment and presence, immersive learning, location-based virtual reality, social virtual reality, projection mapping

Among the IIIX projects presented was the VR Campus, an immersive virtual learning environment developed at the institute. Lectures have been held in immersive virtual reality on the VR Campus since 2022. 50 students and lecturers can gather on this platform at the same time to not only discuss traditional lecture content such as 2D slides, but also to work interactively on 3D objects - from different locations, equipped with VR glasses. This innovative learning environment met with great interest among visitors to the trade fair.

The star of the trade fair presentation: the Embodied Conversational Agent

The highlight of the IIIX trade fair presentation was the Embodied Conversational Agent, an interactive virtual life-size conversation partner that was presented on a large monitor. The agent processes spoken or typed language in real time and responds with a natural voice as well as appropriate gestures and facial expressions.

At ResearchContacts, the agent proved to be a particularly helpful companion: it answered questions about HKA's programmes and the IIIX and was able to provide information to visitors from the university as well as potential cooperation partners from industry. The highlight of the event is that we not only host the large language ourselves, but that our systems are able to validate the accuracy of the answers thanks to our in-house development.

The realistic interaction and the opportunity to communicate at eye level with a virtual agent impressed the visitors and stimulated many interesting conversations.

Interested in working with us?

The IIIX offers interested companies and organisations scientific expertise in numerous areas - from cooperation and contract research to technical consulting, training and the provision of laboratory infrastructure. If you are interested in a co-operation or would like to find out more about the IIIX projects, we look forward to hearing from you!

We would like to thank everyone who made ResearchContacts 2024 a success and look forward to the next edition of this important transfer fair.