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ABOUT US

"DAE-Research offers an attractive information service for organizations facing challenges, for which game technology might offer a solution"

DAE-Research is the research cell of the bachelor study program Digital Arts and Entertainment of Howest Kortrijk, where both demand-driven applied research projects and applied research projects on its own initiative are set up.

The research projects are oriented on exploring new game, VFX, animation & film technology (hard- and software) and transferring that knowledge to the bachelor program as well as companies in different sectors. Besides entertainment purposes, technology can be used in multiple ways to stimulate innovation tracks in companies, social-profit organizations as well as a partner in research consortia.

What is applied research? Scientific findings from university and other research labs, combined with experts’ experiences in the respective professional field and expectations of the envisioned end users, are creatively translated into innovative solutions and prototypes. This offers a surplus value for achieving the goals within the industry and/or social impact.

In addition to projects on demand, DAE-Research also conducts exploratory research on its own initiative. Hereby, the potential surplus value of new technology, whether this is hardware or software, is mapped out to work out innovative solutions for the various sectors.

Recent research topics are linked to our 6 majors within the DAE bachelor program: game development, game graphics production, independent game production, interactive sound production, VFX and 3D animation.

Research topics include immersive technology (VR/AR) and metaverse, spatial computing, applied games, artificial intelligence, conversational AI, motion capture, immersive sound, pose estimation and body tracking, procedural 3D content and automation (Houdini, photogrammetry, …)

Do contact us for more information on project ideas.

OUR LATEST REEL

HIGHLIGHTED USE CASES

Virtual Reality Training: Dana Case
Together with Dana, Picanol, CNH industrial, Barco and Cronos aan de Leie, game technology was brought in to investigate a new form of training. A combination of a scanned working environment, supplied cad models and an interactive game engine made it possible to prototype a virtual reality training framework. Employees can learn how to assemble virtually using a digital twin of the production line.
Endless Runner fitness game
This use case was developed within the IPLAY project to explore how full-body movement can be used as a natural and engaging input method for active gameplay. The result is an endless runner experience in which players physically run in place to move through a virtual environment projected onto the ground.
Virtual training: 360° video versus interactive VR
In addition to the developments that are happening in the field of interactive virtual reality, it is also possible to capture an environment using 360° photo and video. In both cases, the user can view the virtual environment using a virtual reality headset. In collaboration with Thomas More and their parallel TETRA project on 360° video, two prototypes were developed where the user can digitally follow the assembly of an engine block. In the first prototype, the user can follow the assembly using a 360° video, in the second, the user can perform the assembly virtually himself in an interactive virtual reality training environment. The intention is to test these two prototypes and compare both methodologies within the new joint TETRA project on ‘Immersive Training’, which will start from September 2018.
Kumanta Live Interactive Visuals
The goal of this case was to enhance a live performance with real-time, interactive visuals tailored to each song’s mood and narrative. Across five tracks, we employed different technologies—ranging from point clouds to motion capture avatars—to elevate the emotional impact and audience engagement.

CONTACT US

Vicky Vermeulen – Research manager
vicky.vermeulen@howest.be

Jan Pauly – Project manager
jan.pauly@howest.be

Howest Campus The Level
Digital Arts & Entertainment

Botenkoperstraat 2
8500 Kortrijk
Belgium

Howest Campus The Square
Digital Arts & Entertainment Research Lab

Luipaardstraat 12A
8550 Kortrijk
Belgium