Technology @ ADA

3DXLab

A multi-disciplinary research lab that harnesses the power of innovative immersive technologies to do visualisation research from a design-centred perspective. 

Specialisations:

• Creative and cultural sector innovations 
• Generative AI, simulation and immersive visualisation

Key facilities:

• Immersive Cylinder (7-metre diameter, 340-degree panoramic projection with a surround audio system)
• 3D Volumetric Capture Arena

Advanced Architectural Analytics Laboratory (A³ LAB)

Improving the way people create, experience, and inhabit spaces, A³ LAB is a multi-disciplinary research lab that specialises in architectural analytics and design computing. It uses advanced intelligent techniques ranging from design automation, machine learning to neurophysiology.

Specialisations:

• Computational design, data analytics and decision making
• Spatial planning, architectural and manufacturing transformations

Key facilities:

• Biometric Recording (Emotive EPOC X, GP3 Eye Tracker, Omron BP)
• Virtual Reality Simulation (Meta Quest 3, Insta 360 X4)

ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society (ADM+S)

Brings together universities, industry, government, and the community to support the development of responsible, ethical, and inclusive automated decision-making.

Specialisations:

• Critical and social analysis of technology
• Human-technology interactions and social robotics

ARC Centre for Next–Gen Architectural Manufacturing (arch_manu)

An interdisciplinary, industry-focused research and training initiative that aims to accelerate digital transformation processes within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction sector to meet critical sustainability goals.

Specialisations:

• Computational design, data analytics and automated decision making
• Socio-technical advances for climate, security and urban futures 
• Spatial planning, architectural and manufacturing transformations 

Big Anxiety Research Centre (BARC)

A unique transdisciplinary enterprise, dedicated to transforming thinking and practice in mental health through creative collaboration and cultural innovation. Includes two labs - fEEL Lab (Felt Experience and Empathy) and emLab (Ethnographic Media Lab).

Specialisations:

• Adaptive technology for health and inclusion
• Creative and cultural sector innovations

Key facilities:

• 32” Lookinglass holographic display
• Insta360 Pro omnidirectional camera

City Analytics Lab (CAL)

Driven by the City Futures Research Centre – a national leader in scholarly applied public interest research to advance the understanding of our cities, the City Analytics Lab brings the people, places, policies, and technologies to improve the planning and management of Cities. The lab also integrates to the Centre’s bespoke technology platforms – CityData, CityViz and CityDash.

Specialisations:

• Computational design, data analytics and automated decision making
• Spatial planning, architectural and manufacturing transformations

Key facilities:

• 8 Panel Media Wall
• 6 interactive multi touch screens powered by high performance workstations.

City Futures Research Centre (CFRC)

A national leader in scholarly applied public interest research to advance the understanding of our cities focusing on people, places, policies, and technologies. Includes bespoke technology platforms - City data, City Viz and City Dash.

Specialisations:

• Computational design, data analytics and decision making 
• Generative AI, simulation and immersive visualisation
• Socio-technical advances for climate, security and urban futures 

Creative Robotics Lab (CRL)

A collaborative research and educational space that advances interaction between humans and machines by designing and evaluating novel interfaces and incorporating the principles of creative practice in its approach to social robotics.

Specialisations:

• Adaptive technology for health and inclusion 
• Creative and cultural sector innovations 
• Human-technology interactions and social robotics

Creative Technologies Research Lab (CTRL)

Investigates how technology transforms our creative practices and cultures, and how technology is itself a subject, medium and domain of creativity.

Specialisations:

• Creative and cultural sector innovations
• Critical and social analysis of technology

Design Futures Lab

Aims to inspire exploration, innovation and research into fabrication, emerging technologies, and design theories.

Specialisations:

• Creative and cultural sector innovations
• Spatial planning, architectural and manufacturing transformations

Key facilities:

• Collaborative Robots: UR5, KUKA IIWA and KUKA KR70

Geospatial Innovation Research Development (GRID)

GRID's research involves using unique geographic identifiers and efficient 3D indoor navigation to record and monitor complex environments. 

Specialisations:

• Computational design, data analytics and automated decision making
• Socio-technical advances for climate, security and urban futures 
• Spatial planning, architectural and manufacturing transformations 

High Performance Architecture Research Cluster

Aims to deliver research innovation in design, planning and management of high-performance buildings and cities.

Specialisations:

• Socio-technical advances for climate, security and urban futures 
• Spatial planning, architectural and manufacturing transformations 

iCinema | UNSW Centre for Interactive Cinema Research

Undertakes immersive visualisation projects through the use of next generation AI aesthetics and technologies to model pressing and unpredictable scenarios such as wildfires.

Specialisations:

• Creative and cultural sector innovations 
• Generative AI, simulation and immersive visualisation
• Socio-technical advances for climate, security and urban futures 

Key facilities:

• 80°, 130° and 360° full-body fixed and mobile Immersive Visualisation Platforms

Language Processing Lab (HAL LAPL)

Investigates human and machine language processing using a variety of methods and approaches including natural language processing techniques, task performance and self-report measures, eye tracking, psychometrics, and electroencephalography.

Specialisations:

• Computational design, data analytics and decision making
• Socio-technical advances for climate, security and urban futures

Researching data-driven media and emerging technologies with a focus on social justice, the impacts of platforms and autonomous systems. Media Futures Hub aims not only to analyse the world around us, but to help build more just futures.

Specialisations:

• Critical and social analysis of technology

National Facility for Human Robot Interaction (NFHRI)

A state-of-the-art facility for studying and evaluating human-robot interaction across the disciplines of robotics, psychology, and interactive media arts with applications throughout health and medicine.

Specialisations:

• Adaptive technology for health and inclusion 
• Creative and cultural sector innovations 
• Human-technology interactions and social robotics 
• Socio-technical advances for climate, security and urban futures

Key facilities:

• State of the art unobtrusive measurements of human bio and behavioural data.
• 500m³ of live data point cloud stream captured through +45 State of the art RGB-D time-of-flight cameras.

The Making Centre

Has a range of highly equipped facilities including - Makerspace, Ceramics Studio, Jewellery Studio, Screen Printing and Printmaking Studios, Jewellery Studio and Textiles Studio - equipped with a range of state-of-the-art technology.

Specialisations:

• Creative and cultural sector innovations
• Spatial planning, architectural and manufacturing transformations

Vitalities Lab

Hub for interdisciplinary research on understanding the human experience in the context of more than human worlds.

Specialisations:

• Adaptive technology for health and inclusion
• Critical and social analysis of technology