About the Virtual Reality and Visualization Groups

Copyright: © IT Center

The Virtual Reality (VR) group deals with the development of virtual environments and interaction techniques for 3D displays. We investigate, for example, how to explore new virtual worlds in the most pleasant way or how to place objects and customize them according to one's ideas in these virtual worlds.
The Visualization (VIS) group extends these competencies by developing approaches to display and explore large and complex data sets to gain new insights into processes that we cannot see directly or see only with difficulties in the real world. In the image above, for example, a user of our CAVE, a holodeck-like installation, explores the volume impact of an airplane takeoff on nearby locations.

Together, the VR and VIS group build the teaching and research area "Virtual Reality and Immersive Visualization" at RWTH Aachen University. In addition to our contributions to current research activities and numerous RWTH courses, we also support other institutes of the RWTH and external cooperation partners in the implementation of their ideas.

Location

"Golden whale" at Kopernikusstraße 6, Aachen

Language in Daily Work

German in bilateral meetings, English in writing and in team meetings

Supervisor or Instructor and MATSE

Andrea Bönsch: I have successfully completed the MATSE apprenticeship, including the FH studies, myself and I consider the well-designed combination of theory and practice to be invaluable for starting a career in computer science.

Related Link

https://www.vr.rwth-aachen.de/

Tasks of our MATSE Apprentices

  • Development of scientific visualizations and interaction techniques for VR glasses such as HTC Vive or HP Reverb
  • Participation in internationally funded research projects
  • Handling of external service requests to the VR and VIS group
  • Conducting demos for various guests in the VR lab
  • Supporting scientific user studies
  • Supporting hardware and software administration

Typical Programming Languages in Use

C/C++, C#, Python, MATLAB, Javascript

Maths in Practice

Linear algebra for a computer-understandable description of virtual environments, interaction techniques and mapping of physical processes; differential equations to study changing systems; statistics for analysis of data from user studies or measured data.

Number of MATSE Apprentices in Our Group

Three, one per apprenticeship year

Working Environment in Apprenticeship

3-person office - usually, one apprentice and two research assistants share an office.

What Else You Might Like With Us

  • Modern equipped VR lab with many different VR glasses and one of the largest CAVE systems worldwide
  • Direct and intensive supervision by scientific staff
  • International collaborations with researchers from other universities
  • Friendly, open-minded, young team
  • Working in a flextime model with core working hours