UCYGraphics

Our work "Underwater Virtual Exploration of the Ancient Port of Amathus" has been accepted for publication at the Journal of Cultural Heritage

17 Sep 2024

This work focuses on the digital reconstruction and visualization of underwater cultural heritage, providing a gamified virtual reality (VR) experience of Cyprus' ancient Amathus harbor. Utilizing photogrammetry, our immersive VR environment enables seamless exploration and interaction with this historic site. Advanced features such as guided tours, procedural generation, and machine learning enhance realism and user engagement. User studies validate the quality of our VR experiences, highlighting minimal discomfort and demonstrating promising potential for advancing underwater exploration and conservation efforts. The paper has been accepted for publication at the Journal of Cultural Heritage with Impact Factor: 3.1.

Our paper "Design and Implementation of an Interactive Virtual Library based on its Physical Counterpart" has been accepted for publication at the Virtual Reality journal

01 Jun 2024

This work explores the creation of a digital replica of a physical Library, using photogrammetry and 3D modelling. A Virtual Reality (VR) platform was developed to immerse users in a virtual library experience, which can also serve as a community and knowledge hub. A perceptual study was conducted to understand the current usage of physical libraries, examine the users’ experience in VR, and identify the requirements and expectations in the development of a virtual library counterpart. Five key usage scenarios were implemented, as a proof-of-concept, with emphasis on 24/7 access, functionality, and interactivity. A user evaluation study endorsed all its key attributes and future viability. The paper is now published at the Virtual Reality Journal, Springer, with Impact Factor: 4.2.

Our lab co-organized the 45th Annual Conference of the European Association for Computer Graphics (Eurographics)

28 Apr 2024

The University of Cyprus, in collaboration with CYENS - Centre of Excellence, successfully co-organized the 45th Annual Conference of the European Association for Computer Graphics (Eurographics). The conference was held from April 21-26, 2024, in Limassol, Cyprus. For more details, please visit the conference website.

Our paper "Digitizing Traditional Dances Under Extreme Clothing: The Case Study of Eyo" has been accepted for publication at the Journal of Cultural Heritage

22 Feb 2024

In this work, we examine the challenges of capturing movements in traditional African masquerade garments, specifically the Eyo masquerade dance from Lagos, Nigeria. By employing a combination of motion capture technologies, the study addresses the limitations posed by "extreme clothing" and offers valuable insights into preserving cultural heritage dances. The paper will be published in Journal of Cultural Heritage with Impact Factor: 3.1. The video has been presented at the International Council for Traditional Music (ICTM) 2023 and the Cyprus Dance Film Festival (CDFF) 2023.

Our paper "Virtual Instrument Performances (VIP): A Comprehensive Review" has been accepted for publication at Eurographics 2024 as a STAR paper

20 Feb 2024

In this survey, we explores the relatively unexplored field of Virtual Instrument Performances (VIP), addressing challenges related to motion capture precision, multi-modal interactions, and the integration of sensory modalities, with a focus on fostering inclusivity, creativity, and live performances in diverse settings.The paper has been published at Computer Graphics Forum, with IF: 2.96, and has been presented at Eurographics 2024 in Limassol, Cyprus in April 2024 as a STAR paper.

Our paper "SparsePoser: Real-time Full-body Motion Reconstruction from Sparse Data" has been accepted for publication at ACM TOG

14 Sep 2023

In this work we introduce SparsePoser, a novel deep learning-based approach that reconstructs full-body poses using only six tracking devices. The system uses a convolutional autoencoder to generate high-quality human poses learned from motion capture data and a lightweight feed-forward neural network IK component to adjust hands and feet based on the corresponding trackers. The paper is published at ACM Transaction on Graphics, the foremost peer-reviewed journal in the graphics field with IF: 7.4, and will be presented at SIGGRAPH Asia in Sydney, Australia in December 2023.

Our paper "Dancing in virtual reality as an inclusive platform for social and physical fitness activities: A survey" has been accepted for publication at TVCJ

16 Aug 2023

This paper qualitatively evaluates 292 users of a VR dancing platform, exploring their motivations, experiences, and requirements. We employ OpenAI's Artificial Intelligence platform for automatic extraction of response categories. The focus is on VR as an inclusive platform for social and physical dancing activities. The paper will be published in T he Visual Computer Journal with Impact Factor: 3.5

Our paper "Collaborative VR: Solving riddles in the concept of escape rooms" has been accepted for presentation at IMET2023

01 Aug 2023

In this work, we explore alternative means of communication in collaborative virtual environments (CVEs) and their impact on users' engagement and performance. Through a case study of a collaborative VR escape room, we conduct a user study to evaluate the effects of nontraditional communication methods in computer-supported cooperative work (CSCW). Despite the absence of traditional interactions, our study reveals that users can effectively convey messages and complete tasks, akin to real-life scenarios. The paper has been accepted for presentation at IMET2023 conference that will be hosted in Barcelona, Spain in October 2023

Our paper "Collaborative Museum Heist with Reinforcement Learning" has been accepted for publication at CAVW

07 May 2023

In this paper, present initial findings of applying RL techniques to a museum heist game, where trained robbers with different skills learn to cooperate and maximize individual and team rewards while avoiding detection by scripted security guards and cameras, showcasing the feasibility of training both sides concurrently in an adversarial game setting. The paper will be published in Computer Animation and Virtual Worlds with Impact Factor:1.01

Our PhD student Christina-Georgia Serghides has been accepted at the Conception X program.

01 Dec 2022

Our PhD student Christina-Georgia Serghides has been accepted at the Conception X program. The program is designed to empower PhD students by nurturing innovative projects that have the potential to create substantial social and economic value. It assists these students in the process of establishing deeptech startups rooted in their research endeavors, facilitating connections with industry experts, and positioning them for opportunities to secure innovation grants, prestigious awards, and essential venture capital funding.

Posts Archive