Adaptive Context Environments (ACE) Lab

Image Generated from Dall E with prompt - Extended Reality and Internet of Things for Hyper-Connected Metaverse Environments

Mission of the ACE Lab: 

“To transform the way we interact with information, each other, and the world around us through mixed reality, artificial intelligence, and the Internet-of-Things”

Vision: Enabling an Intelligently Adaptive Hyper-Connected Metaverse

The Matrix is everywhere. It is all around us. …”  - Morpheus (The Matrix Movie, 1999)

The OCAD University Adaptive Context Environments (ACE) Lab poses a grand vision: To introduce Extended Reality and Internet-of-Things into Everyday Living with a Hyper-Connected Metaverse toward Improved Human-machine Synergy.

Its fundamental mission is to transform the way we interact with information, each other, and the world through the interleaving of mixed reality, artificial intelligence, and the internet of things. This has the targeted effect of transforming the relationship between users and the kinds and forms of technology that they interact with on a daily basis. As the remarkable wave of digital technologies advances, there is a clear challenge to maintain a human-centered balance that bridges the many potential gaps that can arise between users, smart technologies, and the large complex systems that emerge from the thousands of networked and interpersonal interactions taking place everyday. Steering confidently through this interconnect is paramount as the world moves toward a networked society, and a techno-centric global perspective.

To effect this advance, ACE-Lab has a core of research, founded on the merger of inter-disciplinary advances across core fields of research, including:

By leveraging these domains, the interweaving of the technologies of mixed reality, artificial intelligence, and human-computer interfaces can transform the relationship between users and technologies.

See our OCAD University Page

ACE Lab: Toward the convergence of humanity and technology,
together on the digital exponential growth wave.

Creating the Future Metaverse

Website.pptx

Our Projects

XRI Avatar

The XRI Avatar project is focused on the use of mixed reality technology to improve human-computer interaction with the internet-of-things (IoT). The project involves the creation of mixed reality character representations of physical IoT devices, known as "IoT Avatars," which are intended to provide users with easily understandable sensory information and situational context about the underlying behaviors and states of IoT devices and objects. The overall goal of the project is to enhance the capabilities of smart devices and environments in terms of information presentation, interaction, and engagement. 


XRI Metaverse

The XRI Metaverse project aims to create an Extended Metaverse framework that increases the seamless integration of interoperable agents between virtual and physical environments. This framework is intended to improve the overall connectivity and engagement of the Metaverse, which encompasses a range of technologies related to the internet, virtual and augmented reality, and other domains. The project aims to contribute to the development of a future in which virtual and physical environments are seamlessly connected, enabling more immersive and engaging experiences. 

XRI Smart Spaces

The XRI Smart Spaces project is an initiative to create intelligent and connected virtual-physical spaces to foster collaboration and productivity. This project uses a combination of cutting-edge technologies such as extended reality, artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT) to create an environment with the ability to monitor, analyze, and respond to the activities of its occupants. 

XRI Conversational Agent

XRI Conversational Agent is an AI-powered project that enables two-way conversations between agents and humans. It allows agents to understand and respond to human commands, and to interact with humans in a more natural, conversational way. The project is designed to help agents learn from humans and be able to respond to user commands in a more natural and efficient way. 

XRI User Experience

The XRI User Experience project is a research initiative that leverages the power of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) to create a better user experience for the Internet of Things (IoT). The project is focused on using XR (VR/AR) technologies to improve the user experience of IoT devices and systems. The project also aims to create an integrated XR-IoT platform to enable the development of innovative user experiences in a variety of contexts. The XRI User Experience project seeks to expand the potential of XR and IoT in both industrial and consumer applications. 

XRI Theory

XRI Theory is a research initiative that seeks to explore the potential of the Internet of Things (IoT) to revolutionize the way we interact with the metaverse and physical world around us. The project looks to build upon existing knowledge of Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR) technologies to create an environment in which the physical and digital worlds are seamlessly intertwined. The theory will utilize a combination of technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Extended Reality and Internet-of-Things, to create an immersive experience that can be used to interact with everyday objects.

See ACE Lab Team - Link

Dr. Alexis Morris

Principal Investigator

Dr. Morris is an Associate Professor in the Digital Futures program at OCAD University, director of the Adaptive Context Environments (ACE) Lab, and the Canada Research Chair in the Internet of Things (Tier II) 2018-2023 . Morris’ research is in the design and development of immersive smart spaces, using hybrid mixed reality and Internet of Things architectures. His present research explores the applied uses of these hybrid environments, across multiple domains, with a new focus toward spaces that care for their inhabitants. Dr. Morris’ expertise bridges a cross-section of approaches in artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality, context awareness, adaptive risk management, multi-agent systems modelling, human-agent interaction, and pervasive technologies.

Opportunities and Collaborations

We are always looking for new collaborations in the field. New student and researcher opportunities will be posted as they come available...

ACE Lab Gratefully Acknowledges Funding By: