DAER logo animation
Virtual Production Network
The Virtual Production Network 2 project develops teaching guidelines, exercises, lesson plans, slide decks, and recommendations based on knowledge generated through research, practical experience, interviews, and workshops with project participants. By identifying knowledge gaps and gathering insights directly from practice, the project ensures that educational materials remain relevant and applicable.
Read more...
VHKC
Large Language Models are opening new possibilities for interactive virtual characters in games, simulations, and training applications. However, current implementations often struggle with inconsistency and hallucination. NPCs may forget earlier conversations, contradict the logic of the game world, or respond incorrectly to recent player actions, breaking immersion and limiting the reliability of AI-driven interactions.
Read more...
PrototAIpe
PrototAIpe is a research project exploring how AI-based tools can support indie game developers during the early prototyping phase of game production. In an increasingly competitive industry where small teams must do more with fewer resources, the project investigates how AI can help accelerate ideation, improve communication, and streamline early development workflows.
Read more...
SPLATit!
in SPLATit! we explore how 3D Gaussian Splatting can make the creation of high-quality Digital Twins more accessible, affordable, and scalable for a wider range of users and sectors.
Read more...
DIGISCENES
DIGISCENES focuses on creating an accessible digital workflow for the performing arts sector. The project enables artists, production teams, and cultural organisations to create and use 3D scans of performance locations for rehearsals, scenography, technical preparation, and audience guidance.
Read more...
Future Music Hubs
Future Music Hubs is a VLAIO COOCK+ project running from February 2025 until February 2027. In this project researchers from DAE Research and PXL-Music Research will join forces to research, experiment, develop tools and empower the industry. The goals are to explore the integration of audiovisual technologies in live performances, music production and distribution & marketing; and to empower artists & their entourage to experiment with technology in physical hubs across Flanders.
Read more...
EXERCHAIR
EXERCHAIR: Accessible exergames designed with and for wheelchair users — combining inclusive technology and co-creative design to make physical activity fun, motivating, and truly for everyone.
Read more...
Avatalk
Whether you are a manager, nurse or service desk helper, interpersonal skills are crucial in many roles, but they are hard to train. Training programs are intensive and require personal coaching, which makes them costly (one-to-one contact). That is why at Howest we are experimenting with an innovative prototype of a virtual training environment, to train conversation skills with digital humans. Avatalk started in 2024 and runs until 2026.
Read more...

PROJECTS