Computer Science

Advanced immersive technologies and artificial intelligence

area of Advanced Immersive Technologies and Artificial Intelligence ( SEM_XR) is related to preparation for work in the field of R&D related to the applications of immersive systems and artificial intelligence. Due to the candidate profile, it is primarily dedicated to graduates of engineering studies at the Faculty of Computer Science PJAIT, in particular in the specialist field of XR_G (J) – eXtended Reality, Games and Immersive Systems, who wish to continue this program at the second level.

The creation of advanced XR systems is interdisciplinary in nature and requires combining diverse knowledge and skills from a wide range of IT tool applications, from programming in real-time engines (Unity/Unreal) through data science and artificial intelligence, including multimodal data analysis using machine learning, to broadly understood human-computer interaction (HCI) and neuroscience. In view of the above, area SEM_XR area is run by a team of researchers and specialists from the laboratories of the PJAIT XR Research and Development Center PJAIT (XR Center – XRC), while the diploma theses are supported by a wide range of practitioners: from developers and graphic designers to psychologists, specialists in medicine, and declarative, sensory, and psychophysiological data analysis (e.g., eye tracking, EEG, peripheral psychophysiology). Selected students have the opportunity to participate in transdisciplinary research projects as part of the HASE ( Human Aspects in Science and Engineering) initiative at Living Lab Kobo, and thus collaborate with leading national and international centers, including the Institute of Psychology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Nencki Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences, the Emotion Cognition Lab at SWPS University, the Interactive Technologies Laboratory at OPI-PIB, and, thanks to the cooperation of the technology startup XR Space, also in the high-tech sector, including the medical, aviation, and space markets, involving cooperation with, among others, the Aviation Valley and the European Space Agency (ESA).

Thesis work schedule

Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the specialist field and the necessary scientific aspect of the thesis at the second level, during the first semester of specialization we focus on building thesis teams and defining the research problem that will be the subject of the master's thesis. The condition for passing the first semester is a ready plan for the thesis, taking into account the research aspects (state of the art).

The second semester of the specialization is mostly devoted to the practical part of the thesis, which is created using a participatory approach. The condition for passing the second semester is a completed outline of the written work and a completed practical part, which can be used to conduct scientific research in the following semester.

The last semester is the time to complete the final corrections in the practical part, conduct research using the software that is part of the practical part of the diploma, and write the diploma thesis. The condition for passing the last semester is a completed diploma thesis. The readiness of the thesis is determined by the supervisory team.

Candidate profile:

area is a natural bridge for graduates of first-cycle studies. In particular:

• is dedicated to graduates of the XR_G (J) – eXtended Reality, Games, and Immersive Systems specialization from the engineering studies of the Faculty of Computer Science at PJAIT who want to continue this program at the second level,
• The candidate has practical programming and documentation skills, confirmed by a repository (GitHub) and a bachelor's thesis documenting elements of software engineering.
• the candidate demonstrates readiness to write scientific texts and report results in English,
• The candidate is able to work with technical text editing tools such as LaTeX (Overleaf).
• The ability to work both independently and as part of a team is required, which is crucial in the context of R&D projects.
• Detailed aptitudes are verified during the first seminar meeting, depending on the chosen technology path (including Unity, Unreal, Computer Vision).

The most specific subjects in the curriculum for this figure are:

• Introduction to Big Data (WPBD),
• Introduction to Machine Learning (WUM),
• Big Data – modeling, management, processing, and integration (BGD),
• Applications of Machine Learning (ZUM).

Career prospects:

Graduates of this transdisciplinary specialization can pursue their professional ambitions in the research and development (R&D) sector, both in academia and in corporate R&D departments, as well as in the commercial IT industry. The specialization prepares students for work in areas such as:

• designing and creating interactive XR continuum immersive systems;
• creating software and content for 2D, 3D, and advanced immersive VR/AR/XR applications;
• processing and analysis of multimodal measurement data, including psychophysiological data, using artificial intelligence and machine learning;
• the development of smart home and smart city systems using a participatory approach.

Graduate Competencies:

Graduates acquire a set of unique skills depending on their chosen technological path. Below are some examples of these skills.

• Technical and tool-related skills:
  • advanced programming using appropriate frameworks, design patterns, and good programming practices;
  • designing and creating complex immersive systems in mixed reality continuum (VR/AR/XR) and 2D and 3D environments;
  • the use of machine learning and artificial intelligence in the analysis of multimodal sensory data and in the creation of intelligent virtual agents;
  • competence in the acquisition and processing of large data sets (Big Data), including psychophysiological data such as eye tracking or EEG/PPG signals;
• Methodological and design skills:
  • skills in participatory design in collaboration with all stakeholders, in particular end users;
  • agile project management using a user-centered design approach in the development process;
  • interdisciplinarity through the ability to combine knowledge from various fields of computer science, psychology, neuroscience, and project management;
• Research and communication skills:

• conducting R&D work in the field of co-design and conducting experimental scientific research with the participation of research subjects;
• analysis of the state of knowledge using critical analysis of literature and technological solutions (state of the art);
• scientific communication in terms of proficiency in reporting work results and writing scientific publications in English;
• technical skills in the form of proficient use of professional technical text editing tools, such as LaTeX (Overleaf environment).

XRC promotion team

Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the specialization, the supervisory team brings together researchers and specialists from various departments cooperating within the XR Center PJAIT, in particular the XR Department headed by Prof. Wiesław Kopeć and the Department of Bioinformatics and Artificial Intelligence Applications headed by Prof. Adam Kuzdraliński, including main supervisors such as: Dr. Wiesław Kopeć, Prof. PJAIT, dr hab. Kuzdraliński, Prof. PJAIT, Dr. Kinga Skorupska, Dr. Mariusz Jednoralski, Eng., as well as assistant supervisors and mentors supporting the graduates, including , Barbara Karpowicz, M.Sc., Eng., Maciej Grzeszczuk, M.Sc., Eng., Rafał Masłyk, M.Sc., Eng., Piotr Gago, M.Sc., Eng., and Pavlo Zinevych, M.Sc., Eng.

The supervisory team has extensive publishing experience, including dozens of scientific publications in renowned international journals and conferences, including the highest category A* (200 points, maximum ranking according to the classification of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education) and high bibliometric scores (hundreds of citations, high Impact Factor, and Hirsch index). Based on many years of research, development, and commercialization experience, including start-up cooperation with the European Space Agency (ESA) and high scientific and publication standards, members of our supervisory team have successfully supervised a number of master's theses and are also supervising doctoral students at the PJAIT doctoral school. Below are examples of thesis topics supervised by members of our supervisory team in recent years:

• Developing an Extensive Virtual Reality Training and Assistance Program Simulating the Lunar Gateway Space Station
• Psychophysiological Biofeedback in Virtual Reality Environments,
• Custom Multimodal Embodiment System for Immersive XR Environments,
• An End-to-End System for 3D Tracking of Physical Objects in Virtual Immersive Environments,
• Indoor Navigation System Based on Bluetooth Beacons using Google Glass Platform,
• Artificial Intelligence-Enabled Crowd Simulation for Immersive Virtual Environments,
• Framework for Multi-Aspect Comparative Studies of Interfaces and Human-Computer Interaction in Virtual Reality,
• The Analysis of the Process of Procedural Multimedia Digital Content Creation Using Artificial Intelligence Techniques, Based on the Example of Terrain Synthesis,
• Correction and Image Merging from Two Cameras on the Example of a Handball Match,
• Development of an Automated Image Recognition Framework of Lynxes in Camera Traps,
• Universal Language Proposal for RPA Automation of Business Processes,
• Effective Universal Configuration Interfaces for Multimodal Data-driven Research inImmersive Virtual Environments,
• Influence of AI Tools on Game Development: A Mixed Method Study of Users’ Attitudes and Uses of AI Tools in the Game Development Industry,
• Integration of Database Functionality for Unity-based Immersive Virtual Research Environments with a Custom .NET API,
• Design, Development, and Verification of a Gamified Fitness Application to Support User Motivation,
• Effective Data-based Driven Survey Module for Unity 3D Using a Participatory Approach.