IRIS Laboratory Tour

Dr. Andreas Koschan, Research Associate Professor at the University of Tennessee, gave a talk on the Imaging, Robotics and Intelligent Systems (IRIS) Laboratory at UT. A tour of the lab followed his presentation.

Since 1970, the Imaging, Robotics and Intelligent Systems (IRIS) Laboratory at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville has been conducting research in the field of image processing. The laboratory's emphasis is currently on building 3D imaging systems. 3D imaging is the process of measuring, analyzing, and displaying multi-dimensional information. The 3D imaging process begins with sensors that make measurements of the real world and culminates the ability to visualize the data into a meaningful form. New technologies are also creating novel applications for 3D imaging in medicine, telecommunications, telerobotics, entertainment, security, and surveillance. Many of these applications rely on a paradigm that tries to extend rather than mimic human capabilities; therefore, 3D imaging incorporates both the analysis and generation of visual data.

The IRIS Lab's current areas of research are in scene building, scene description, and data visualization. The combination of these different fields gives rise to robust, usable systems and advanced developments in the underlying technologies. The IRIS Lab has the rare privilege of boasting expertise in all of these areas. Various aspects of 3D imaging, either separately or in concert, are applied to produce new technologies for sponsors and relevant, satisfying areas of investigation for students. The Scene Building process consists of capturing sensor measurements to integrate them into a unified 3D representation referred to as a Multi-modal Model. At this point, Multi-modal Models can be analyzed through a Scene Description process leading to an Object-based scene representation. Each object contains an optimal amount of information, so that it accurately describes the initial data. Additionally, each object is associated with a multi-resolution description, so the amount of information necessary to accurately represent the object at any level of detail can be computed. This entire process facilitates data transmission, manipulation, and display. Data Visualization aims at maximizing the level of interaction between the user and the data being displayed in a virtual reality environment.