Hof University of Applied Sciences is involved in a remarkable international research project with the “Visual Analytics” research group headed by Prof. Dr. Claus Atzenbeck at the Institute for Information Systems (iisys): Together with 22 European partners from 10 countries, the university is working on the development of digital tools to help preserve valuable cultural heritage sites as “digital twins”, experience them in 3D worlds and better understand them with the help of simulations. Damage caused by environmental influences, for example, should be detected earlier and better avoided. This is the first ever project at Hof University of Applied Sciences within the framework of European HORIZON funding.
The three-year ARTEMIS (“Applying Reactive Twins to Enhance Monument Information Systems”) research project, which is funded by the European Union with over 11 million euros, aims to develop scientific methods based on several pilot projects in order to pave the way for innovative applications in cultural heritage research. The researchers are using methods from the fields of AI and AR/VR (augmented reality/virtual reality), among others. Prof. Dr. Claus Atzenbeck heads the Visual Analytics research group at the Institute for Information Systems (iisys) at Hof University of Applied Sciences. It is involved in ARTEMIS as a consortium partner. The scientist emphasizes with a view to the European and international community:
‘Preserving historical and cultural sites generally means a major challenge – especially because traditional methods are often expensive and sometimes ineffective. There is also a risk of irreversible damage during restoration.”
Prof. Dr. Claus Atzenbeck
New solutions are therefore needed to preserve these sites for future generations.
Digital twins simulate development
In this context, the EU-funded ARTEMIS project relies on a high-tech approach: digital twins, augmented reality and virtual reality technologies are to be used to preserve cultural heritage. By creating detailed 3D models and implementing simulations, ARTEMIS can calculate real-life conditions and test conservation methods virtually. This allows experts to predict how different conservation strategies will affect the sites, resulting in safer and more efficient protection of these valuable cultural assets.
Extensive documentation as a basis
The basis of the project, which is being implemented under the leadership of the Italian National Research Council in Rome, is the comprehensive integration of digitized cultural assets as digital twins, in some cases also as 3D models. “By digitally modeling cultural objects, their behaviour can be simulated under various external conditions,” says Prof. Dr. Claus Atzenbeck. This approach makes it possible to carry out experiments virtually and better understand the effects of various measures on cultural assets. ARTEMIS draws on the expertise of leading research institutions worldwide, which provide access to extensive data on cultural objects, as well as innovative companies in Europe. There is also a partner company from Ukraine, a country that is facing major challenges not only in terms of the destruction of its cultural heritage. The selection of the cultural sites and objects to be examined first is one of the next tasks for the ARTEMIS partners.
Hof University of Applied Sciences integrates and connects information
The specific task of the Visual Analytics research group at the Institute for Information Systems at Hof University of Applied Sciences is to link objects and monuments in the digital twin with relevant information. Prof. Atzenbeck’s group is researching various hypertext paradigms. These enable users to express their own ideas from their personal wealth of experience, represent them in the system and – supported by an AI – link them.
We create mechanisms for structuring information that support the exchange of information. The system learns from the user’s experiences. The respective modules of the digital twin are thus enhanced in a way that is unique to date.”
Prof. Dr. Claus Atzenbeck
Instead of relying purely on machine learning and automation, as is the case with many current AI projects, humans with their experience and creativity will become an important part of the process, says the researcher. The support that the system provides in the background requires immense amounts of data. Once the ARTEMIS project is completed, the results and many of the tools created will be freely available to the public and cultural heritage researchers.
About Horizon Europe – the current research framework program
Horizon Europe is the largest research funding program of the European Union and has a budget of around 95.5 billion euros. It supports projects in science, technology and innovation that aim to help solve global challenges and strengthen Europe’s competitiveness. Project website: https://www.artemis-twin.eu
ARTEMIS is a project funded by the European Union under Grant Agreement No 101188009. However, the views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Disclaimer: The images have been partially or fully generated using artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. While AI-generated content may enhance creativity and user experience, it may also contain inaccuracies or omissions that do not correspond to reality;
