Visual Computing and Human-Centered Technology
Visual Computing and Human-Centered Technology investigates the design and development of key technologies in the areas of computer vision, computer graphics, visualization, augmented/mixed/virtual reality, and human-computer interaction.
Contact
- Silvia Miksch, Coordinator
Research Topics
- Computer Graphics
- Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition
- Visualization and Visual Analytics
- Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality
- Media Analysis and Retrieval
- Human-computer Interaction, Design and Socially Embedded Computing
- Assistive Technologies and Ubiquitous Computing
About
Visual Computing and Human-Centered Technology investigates the design and development of key technologies in the areas of computer vision, computer graphics, visualization, augmented/mixed/virtual reality, and human-computer interaction.
Topics include visual methods in the computational sciences (computer graphics and computer vision) including modeling, image analysis and synthesis, photorealistic rendering, real-time rendering, visualization of large data sets, processing of sensor data as well as the recognition of contained patterns and structures.
Further topics are socio-technical systems, mobile and ubiquitous technologies, people-centered design and evaluation, as well as ethics and responsible research and innovation. Application examples include: biological image analysis, visual surveillance, 3D reconstruction, bioinformatics, content-based multimodal retrieval, smart cities/IoT, assistive technologies, ambient-assisted living, games, healthcare, health and wellbeing, and collaboration. Furthermore, the research focus deals with interaction in these environments, where the emphasis is on designing “technologies for people” and using innovative, multimodal interfaces, which combine computer-based intelligence with cyber-physical settings.
Research topics in this respect include the development of interaction designs (especially for collaborative applications) together with the corresponding evaluation techniques. Central to VC+HCT’s innovative approach to digital technology is the multi-disciplinary combination of technical expertise with creative design and a people oriented perspective.
Research Units
Six of the faculty’s twenty-four research units are primarily focused on topics related to Visual Computing and Human-Centered Technology. Visit their pages to learn about current projects, publications, courses, and the people involved.
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Computer Vision
E193-01 / Head: Robert Sablatnig -
Computer Graphics
E193-02 / Head: Eduard Gröller -
Virtual and Augmented Reality
E193-03 / Head: Hannes Kaufmann -
Artifact-based Computing and User Research
E193-04 / Head: Hilda Tellioglu -
Human Computer Interaction
E193-05 / Head: Paweł W. Woźniak -
Visual Analytics
E193-07 / Head: Silvia Miksch
Below is a small selection of recent research activities related to Visual Computing and Human-Centered Technology. To learn more, visit the pages of the research units listed above.
Recent Projects
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Visual Analytics und Visualisierung
2025 / VRVis -
2D-to-3D lifting of foundation models for few-shot 3D object detection
2024 – 2025 / cirqular pointcloud analytics GmbH -
RE:STOCK INDUSTRY - Digital framework for the circular economy orientated reuse of existing building structures for vertical production
2024 – 2027 / Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG)
Publication: 205516 -
ERIKA - Die digitale Begleiterin für klimabewusstes Handeln im Alltag
2024 – 2026 / Arbeiterkammer Niederösterreich -
Welten bauen mit Mathematik - Onlinetool zur parametrischen Echtzeitmodellierung
2024 / netidee Projektförderung -
Health virtual twins for the personalised management of stroke related to atrial fibrillation
2024 – 2028 / European Commission
Publications: 208712 / 205805 / 208548 / 208553 / 208561 / 208040 / 208546 / 205430 / 205728 / 209499 / 209426 -
Empathic Vehicle
2024 – 2026 / Vienna Business Agency (WAW) -
Bringing Point Clouds to WebGPU
2024 – 2025 / netidee Projektförderung -
Massive geographische Datenvisualisierung mit WebGPU
2023 – 2024 / netidee Projektförderung -
STEAM - STEM - stART 'em
2023 – 2026 / Austrian Exchange Service (OeAD) -
Visual Analytics and Computer Vision meet Cultural Heritage
2023 – 2027 / Austrian Science Fund (FWF)
Publications: 192769 / 199007 / 199153 / 209327 -
Instant Visualization and Interaction for Large Point Clouds
2023 – 2026 / Vienna Science and Technology Fund (WWTF)
Publications: 189596 / 195927 / 198651 / 199275 / 208716 -
PropXX Innovationsscheck Conversational Agents
2023 – 2024 / Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) -
Transforming streets into accessible urban oases through consensus building with digital
and analogue tools
2023 – 2025 / Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG)
Publication: 209334 -
Toward Optimal Path Guiding for Photorealistic Rendering
2023 – 2027 / Vienna Science and Technology Fund (WWTF)
Publication: 190854 -
Circular Twin - A Digital Ecosystem for the Generation and Evaluation of Circular Digital Twins
2022 – 2025 / Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG)
Publications: 200889 / 208924 / 209738 -
Event-based and frame-based binocular visual odometry system
2022 – 2023 / Chinese Scholarship Council (CSC) -
Virtual Enhanced Reality for Interoperable Training of CBRN
2022 – 2024 / Altheria Solutions SRL
Publication: 191421 -
ErdProfi Smart 360
2022 – 2023 / Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) -
ArtVis: Dynamic Network Perspectives on Digital Art History
2022 – 2025 / Austrian Science Fund (FWF)
Publications: 152680 / 153741 / 154456 / 177464 / 187156 / 193247 / 193453 / 190421 / 192769 / 193549 / 193846 / 193386 / 197713 / 199007 / 199153 / 203789 / 208533
Recent Publications
- Multiscale Unfolding: Illustratively Visualizing the Whole Genome at a Glance / Halladjian, S., Kouril, D., Miao, H., Gröller, E., Viola, I., & Isenberg, T. (2022). Multiscale Unfolding: Illustratively Visualizing the Whole Genome at a Glance. IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics, 28(10), 3456–3470. https://doi.org/10.1109/tvcg.2021.3065443
- Dear Reviewers: Responses to Common Reviewer Critiques about Infant Neuroimaging Studies / Korom, M., Camacho, M. C., Filippi, C. A., Licandro, R., Moore, L. A., Dufford, A., Zöllei, L., Graham, A. M., Spann, M., Howell, B., Shultz, S., Scheinost, D., & FIT´NG. (2022). Dear Reviewers: Responses to Common Reviewer Critiques about Infant Neuroimaging Studies. Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, 53, Article 101055. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dcn.2021.101055
- Perspectives of Visualization Onboarding and Guidance in VA / Stoiber, C., Ceneda, D., Wagner, M., Schetinger, V., Gschwandtner, T., Streit, M., Miksch, S., & Aigner, W. (2022). Perspectives of Visualization Onboarding and Guidance in VA. Visual Informatics, 6(1), 68–83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.visinf.2022.02.005
- Evaluating Active and Assisted Living technologies: Critical methodological reflections based on a longitudinal randomized controlled trial / Bieg, T., Gerdenitsch, C., Schwaninger, I., Kern, B. M. J., & Frauenberger, C. (2022). Evaluating Active and Assisted Living technologies: Critical methodological reflections based on a longitudinal randomized controlled trial. Computers in Human Behavior, 133(107249), 107249. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2022.107249
- Financial and Work Process related Perspectives of Social Robots in Care Settings / Carros, F., Preussner, A., Manavi, M., & Schwaninger, I. (2022). Financial and Work Process related Perspectives of Social Robots in Care Settings. ECSCW 2022 Workshop: Robots In Heterogeneous Contexts. Negotiation Of Co-Creative Lifelong Learning Spaces Through Participatory Approaches, Coimbra, Portugal. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12708/87321
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Camera Pose Estimation using Human Head Pose Estimation
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Fischer, R., Hödlmoser, M., & Gelautz, M. (2022). Camera Pose Estimation using Human Head Pose Estimation. In Proceedings of the 17th International Joint Conference on Computer Vision, Imaging and Computer Graphics Theory and Applications. 17th International Joint Conference on Computer Vision, Imaging and Computer Graphics Theory and Applications, Unknown. SCITEPRESS. https://doi.org/10.5220/0010879400003124
Project: SyntheticCabin (2021–2025) - Care Workers Making Use of Robots: Results of a Three-Month Study on Human-Robot Interaction within a Care Home / Carros, F., Schwaninger, I., Preussner, A., Randall, D., Wieching, R., Fitzpatrick, G., & Wulf, V. (2022). Care Workers Making Use of Robots: Results of a Three-Month Study on Human-Robot Interaction within a Care Home. In CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. CHI ’22 Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, New Orleans, LA, United States of America (the). https://doi.org/10.1145/3491102.3517435
- Design Considerations for Novel Self-Adapting Toilets for Semi-Public Spaces / Mayer, P., & Panek, P. (2022). Design Considerations for Novel Self-Adapting Toilets for Semi-Public Spaces. In G. Schreier (Ed.), Studies in Health Technology and Informatics. Studies in Health Technology and Informatics / IOS press. https://doi.org/10.3233/shti220357
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Auf der Suche nach versteckter technologischer Arbeit : Analyse zweier frauendominierter Dienstleistungsberufe im Kontext der Digitalisierung
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Bergmann, N., Pretterhofer, N., Meissner, J. L., & Haselsteiner, E. (2021). Auf der Suche nach versteckter technologischer Arbeit : Analyse zweier frauendominierter Dienstleistungsberufe im Kontext der Digitalisierung. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12708/40458
Project: AK-DL4.0 (2020–2021) - SHREC 2021: Retrieval of cultural heritage objects / Sipiran, I., Lazo, P., Lopez, C., Jimenez, M., Bagewadi, N., Bustos, B., Dao, H., Gangisetty, S., Hanik, M., Ho-Thi, N.-P., Holenderski, M., Jarnikov, D., Labrada, A., Lengauer, S., Licandro, R., Nguyen, D.-H., Nguyen-Ho, T.-L., Perez Rey, L. A., Pham, B.-D., & Vu-Le, T.-A. (2021). SHREC 2021: Retrieval of cultural heritage objects. COMPUTERS & GRAPHICS-UK, 100, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cag.2021.07.010
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Immersive training of first responder squad leaders in untethered virtual reality
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Mossel, A., Schoenauer, C., Froeschl, M., Peer, A., Goellner, J., & Kaufmann, H. (2021). Immersive training of first responder squad leaders in untethered virtual reality. Virtual Reality, 25(3), 745–759. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10055-020-00487-x
Download: PDF (2.4 MB)
Project: VR on-site (2015–2017) - Understanding Optical Music Recognition / Calvo-Zaragoza, J., Hajič, J. jr., & Pacha, A. (2021). Understanding Optical Music Recognition. ACM Computing Surveys, 53(4), 1–35. https://doi.org/10.1145/3397499
- Hornero: Thunderstorms Characterization using Visual Analytics / Diehl, A., Pelorosso, R., Ruiz, J., Pajarola, R., Gröller, M. E., & Bruckner, S. (2021). Hornero: Thunderstorms Characterization using Visual Analytics. Computer Graphics Forum, 40(3), 299–310. https://doi.org/10.1111/cgf.14308
- Acute response on general and sport specific hip joint flexibility to training with novel sport device / Hoelbling, D., Grafinger, M., Smiech, M. M., Cizmic, D., Dabnichki, P., & Baca, A. (2021). Acute response on general and sport specific hip joint flexibility to training with novel sport device. Sports Biomechanics. https://doi.org/10.1080/14763141.2021.1922742
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Gestalt descriptions for deep image understanding
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Hörhan, M., & Eidenberger, H. (2021). Gestalt descriptions for deep image understanding. Pattern Analysis and Applications, 24(1), 89–107. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10044-020-00904-6
Download: PDF (3.52 MB) -
D2.3 Requirements of primary and secondary end-users : A toilet for me envisioned
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Verburgt, M., Asselman, J., Trakul-Masłowska, M., Kubecka, M., Mayer, P., & Panek, P. (2021). D2.3 Requirements of primary and secondary end-users : A toilet for me envisioned. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12708/40489
Project: T4ME2 (2020–2023) - What Do You Mean by 'Trust'? Establishing Shared Meaning in Interdisciplinary Design for Assistive Technology / Schwaninger, I., Güldenpfennig, F., Weiss, A., & Fitzpatrick, G. (2021). What Do You Mean by “Trust”? Establishing Shared Meaning in Interdisciplinary Design for Assistive Technology. International Journal of Social Robotics, 13(8), 1879–1897. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12369-020-00742-w
- Uncertainty for Safe Utilization of Machine Learning in Medical Imaging, and Perinatal Imaging, Placental and Preterm Image Analysis : 3rd International Workshop, UNSURE 2021, and 6th International Workshop, PIPPI 2021, Held in Conjunction with MICCAI 2021, Strasbourg, France, October 1, 2021, Proceedings / Sudre, C. H., Licandro, R., Baumgartner, C., Melbourne, A., Dalca, A., Hutter, J., Tanno, R., Turk, E. A., Van Leemput, K., Torrents-Barrena, J., Wells, W. M., & Macgowan, C. (Eds.). (2021). Uncertainty for Safe Utilization of Machine Learning in Medical Imaging, and Perinatal Imaging, Placental and Preterm Image Analysis : 3rd International Workshop, UNSURE 2021, and 6th International Workshop, PIPPI 2021, Held in Conjunction with MICCAI 2021, Strasbourg, France, October 1, 2021, Proceedings. In Lecture Notes in Computer Science (Vol. 12959). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-87735-4
- The Ninth Visual Object Tracking VOT2021 Challenge Results / Kristan, M., Matas, J., Leonardis, A., Felsberg, M., Pflugfelder, R., Kämäräinen, J.-K., Chang, H. J., Danelljan, M., Zajc, L. C., Lukezic, A., Ondrej, D., & Käpylä, J. (2021). The Ninth Visual Object Tracking VOT2021 Challenge Results. In 2021 IEEE/CVF International Conference on Computer Vision Workshops (ICCVW). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/iccvw54120.2021.00305
- Designing to support People Working, Connecting and Living Well in Mobile Work Environments / Fitzpatrick, G. (2021). Designing to support People Working, Connecting and Living Well in Mobile Work Environments. In S. Brewster, A. Kun, A. Riener, & O. Shaer (Eds.), Human-Computer Interaction to Support Work and Wellbeing in Mobile Environments (pp. 35–36). Schloss Dagstuhl - Leibniz Center for Informatics. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12708/24936
Recent Theses
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Promoting Activity in People with Dementia through Assistive Technologies: A Comprehensive Approach from Conceptual Design to System Development
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Rezaei, N. (2025). Promoting Activity in People with Dementia through Assistive Technologies: A Comprehensive Approach from Conceptual Design to System Development [Diploma Thesis, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2025.124067
Download: PDF (2.62 MB) -
Hand Tracking in Colocated Multi-User Virtual Reality
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Reimer, D. (2025). Hand Tracking in Colocated Multi-User Virtual Reality [Dissertation, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2025.124228
Download: PDF (3.36 MB) -
Young Men, Social Media and Mental Health - An explorative study using a custom research diary app
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Bartuska, W. (2025). Young Men, Social Media and Mental Health - An explorative study using a custom research diary app [Diploma Thesis, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2025.114880
Download: PDF (1.91 MB) -
Prototypical Visualization: Using Prototypical Networks for Visualizing Large Unstructured Data
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Stoff, M. (2025). Prototypical Visualization: Using Prototypical Networks for Visualizing Large Unstructured Data [Diploma Thesis, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2025.119321
Download: PDF (1.46 MB) -
Wide area disaster simulation for mobile Virtual Reality devices
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Wechdorn, T. H. (2025). Wide area disaster simulation for mobile Virtual Reality devices [Diploma Thesis, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2025.112345
Download: PDF (2.67 MB) -
Automated Analysis of the Vienna ”Naturhistorisches Museum” Herbarium Collection
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Kadic, M. (2025). Automated Analysis of the Vienna ”Naturhistorisches Museum” Herbarium Collection [Diploma Thesis, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2025.111382
Download: PDF (1.7 MB) -
Approaching Under-Explored Image-Space Problems with Optimization
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Cardoso, J. A. (2025). Approaching Under-Explored Image-Space Problems with Optimization [Dissertation, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2025.128664
Download: PDF (4.14 MB) -
Meta Learning for Flow Cytometry Cell Classification
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Pratellesi, C. (2025). Meta Learning for Flow Cytometry Cell Classification [Diploma Thesis, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2025.125309
Download: PDF (2.01 MB) -
Applications of Neural Attention for Modelling Long-Range Dependencies
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Wödlinger, M. G. (2025). Applications of Neural Attention for Modelling Long-Range Dependencies [Dissertation, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2025.128663
Download: PDF (6.11 MB) -
Visual Analytics for Blind Source Separation in Time and Space
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Piccolotto, N. (2025). Visual Analytics for Blind Source Separation in Time and Space [Dissertation, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2025.128662
Download: PDF (8.91 MB) -
Exploring the meaningful use of Ambient Assisted Living Technologies
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Karner, N. (2025). Exploring the meaningful use of Ambient Assisted Living Technologies [Diploma Thesis, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2025.114636
Download: PDF (3.48 MB) -
Design and Evaluation of Different Selection Metaphors for a Dissimilar Co-Embodied Avatar in Virtual Reality
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Ratschiller, G. (2025). Design and Evaluation of Different Selection Metaphors for a Dissimilar Co-Embodied Avatar in Virtual Reality [Diploma Thesis, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2025.123546
Download: PDF (2.23 MB) -
Design Implications on Sociality for a Public Space Service Robot: Lessons learned from the Lutzi robot
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Yegan, F. (2024). Design Implications on Sociality for a Public Space Service Robot: Lessons learned from the Lutzi robot [Diploma Thesis, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2024.123003
Download: PDF (2.81 MB) -
Cultural Variations in Human-Agent Interaction: Insights from Japan & Austria
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Kanya, C. (2024). Cultural Variations in Human-Agent Interaction: Insights from Japan & Austria [Diploma Thesis, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2024.113502
Download: PDF (1.37 MB) -
Development of a Robotic Fitness Application using a PD Approach
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Krendl, A. (2024). Development of a Robotic Fitness Application using a PD Approach [Diploma Thesis, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2024.107691
Download: PDF (2.12 MB) -
Dark Patterns for Good? Exploring End-User Perspectives on Bright Patterns to Counteract Perceived Social Media Problems
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Rhomberg, D. M. (2024). Dark Patterns for Good? Exploring End-User Perspectives on Bright Patterns to Counteract Perceived Social Media Problems [Diploma Thesis, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2024.114637
Download: PDF (3.81 MB) -
Convolutional Neural Network-Based Object Detection in Night-Time Traffic Scenes
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Unger, A. (2024). Convolutional Neural Network-Based Object Detection in Night-Time Traffic Scenes [Diploma Thesis, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2024.71966
Download: PDF (2.69 MB) -
Screen Reader for Web Accessibility Tutorials. An evaluation of interactive web forms
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Bubich, W. H. (2024). Screen Reader for Web Accessibility Tutorials. An evaluation of interactive web forms [Diploma Thesis, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2024.115700
Download: PDF (5.39 MB) -
Dynamic Network Analysis with Centrality Measures
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Rauchenberger, L. (2024). Dynamic Network Analysis with Centrality Measures [Diploma Thesis, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2024.124190
Download: PDF (3.12 MB) -
Automated Digital Content Creation from Point Clouds and Image Data
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Schenzel, G. (2024). Automated Digital Content Creation from Point Clouds and Image Data [Diploma Thesis, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2024.123826
Download: PDF (2.94 MB)
Recent Awards
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Raquel Panadero Palenzuela:
Best record of the Degree in Telecommunications Engineering (Major in Audiovisual Systems)
2024 / Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya / Spain -
Florian Michahelles:
Honorable Mention Short Paper
2024 / MUC2024 / Germany / Website -
Amelie Beatrice Schäfer:
Communicator-Preis – Wissenschaftspreis des Stifterverbandes
2024 / Stifterverband und Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) / Germany -
Florian Michahelles:
IoT2023 best paper award
2023 / International Conference of the Internet of Things, co-sponsored by ACM / Japan / Website -
Katta Spiel:
Best Poster Award
2023 / CSCW 2023 / USA -
Florian Michahelles:
Reviewer's Choice Award of Interact 2023 Conference
2023 / IFIP Technical Committee 13 on Human–Computer Interaction. / Austria / Website -
Geraldine Fitzpatrick:
Best Teacher Award
2023 / Austria -
Michael Wimmer:
Outstanding Technical Contributions Award
2023 / Eurographics Awards / Germany / Website -
Margrit Gelautz:
Best Poster Nominee at HAI 2022 - "The effect of exaggerated nonverbal cues on the perception of the robot Pepper", S. Fischer, D. Stoeva, and M. Gelautz
2022 / International Conference on Human-Agent Interaction (HAI) 2022 / New Zealand / Project -
Florian Michahelles:
Ten Year Impact Award
2022 / 21st International Conference on Mobile and Ubiquitous Multimedia (MUM 2022) / Portugal / Website -
Katta Spiel:
Pride Biz Award 2022
2022 / Pride Biz / Austria -
Peter Purgathofer:
Best Lecture Award, Sonderpreis Digitale Lehre
2022 -
Katta Spiel:
Förderungspreis der Stadt Wien in der Sparte Mathematik, Informatik, Naturwissenschaft, Technik
2022 / Stadt Wien / Austria -
Katta Spiel:
Best Paper Award
2022 / Mensch und Computer 2022 / Germany -
Katta Spiel:
Best Paper Honourable Mention Award
2022 / Mensch und Computer 2022 / Germany -
Michael Wimmer:
Wolfgang Straßer Award (Best Paper)
2022 / ACM/Eurographics / USA / Website -
Renata Georgia Raidou:
EuroVis Young Researcher Award
2022 / EuroGraphics European Association for Computer Graphics / Italy -
Geraldine Fitzpatrick:
SIGCHI Lifetime Service Award
2022 / ACM / USA / Website -
Margrit Gelautz:
Shortlisted for VISAPP 2022 Best Student Paper Award (4 shortlisted papers out of 154 registered student papers) - "Camera pose estimation using human head pose estimation", R. Fischer, M. Hödlmoser, and M. Gelautz
2022 / International Conference on Computer Vision Theory and Applications (VISAPP) 2022 / Portugal / Project -
Peter Purgathofer:
Anerkennungspreis beim »Ars Docendi«, Staatspreis für gute Lehre
2021 / Austria / Website