Inside the Smart Digital Lab: Where Emerging Technology Meets the Real World

Presenter: Dr Roy Davies

Title: Inside the Smart Digital Lab: Where Emerging Technology Meets the Real World

Abstract:

“What happens when virtual reality, AI, drones and robot dogs become everyday tools for solving real-world problems?”

Step inside the Smart Digital Lab at the University of Auckland’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and discover how emerging technologies are being used in practical ways across construction engineering and research.

Led by Dr Roy C. Davies, this interactive session will introduce you to technologies including Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Artificial Intelligence, laser scanning, IoT devices, drones and robot dogs - not as futuristic concepts, but as tools already being used to explore, test and solve real-world challenges.

Participants will get the chance to experience some of the technology first-hand, from flying a virtual drone and piloting a robot dog to running to safety from a tsunami simulation and crossing a digitally recreated bridge that was laser scanned by drone.

Roy has been working with Virtual Reality in research since the early 2000s and has a particular interest in combining emerging technologies in creative and practical ways. Expect a session that is hands-on, curious and full of opportunities to see how these technologies come together in the real world.

Date:

This workshop will run on Thursday 5th November from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm.

Venue:

We’re delighted to be hosting this workshop at the Smart Digital Lab at the University of Auckland’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. This hands-on space uses emerging technologies including VR, AI, robotics and digital twins to explore and solve real-world engineering challenges.