AHCI RESEARCH GROUP
Publications
Papers published in international journals,
proceedings of conferences, workshops and books.
OUR RESEARCH
Scientific Publications
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You can use the tag cloud to select only the papers dealing with specific research topics.
You can expand the Abstract, Links and BibTex record for each paper.
2025
Oliveira, E. A. Masasi De; Sousa, R. T.; Bastos, A. A.; Cintra, L. Martins De Freitas; Filho, A. R. G.
Immersive Virtual Museums with Spatially-Aware Retrieval-Augmented Generation Proceedings Article
In: IMX - Proc. ACM Int. Conf. Interact. Media Experiences, pp. 437–440, Association for Computing Machinery, Inc, 2025, ISBN: 979-840071391-0 (ISBN).
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Association reactions, Behavioral Research, Generation systems, Geographics, Human computer interaction, Human engineering, Immersive, Information Retrieval, Interactive computer graphics, Language Model, Large language model, large language models, Museums, Retrieval-Augmented Generation, Search engines, Spatially aware, User interfaces, Virtual environments, Virtual museum, Virtual museum., Virtual Reality, Visual Attention, Visual languages
@inproceedings{masasi_de_oliveira_immersive_2025,
title = {Immersive Virtual Museums with Spatially-Aware Retrieval-Augmented Generation},
author = {E. A. Masasi De Oliveira and R. T. Sousa and A. A. Bastos and L. Martins De Freitas Cintra and A. R. G. Filho},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-105007979183&doi=10.1145%2f3706370.3731643&partnerID=40&md5=db10b41217dd8a0b0705c3fb4a615666},
doi = {10.1145/3706370.3731643},
isbn = {979-840071391-0 (ISBN)},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-01-01},
booktitle = {IMX - Proc. ACM Int. Conf. Interact. Media Experiences},
pages = {437–440},
publisher = {Association for Computing Machinery, Inc},
abstract = {Virtual Reality has significantly expanded possibilities for immersive museum experiences, overcoming traditional constraints such as space, preservation, and geographic limitations. However, existing virtual museum platforms typically lack dynamic, personalized, and contextually accurate interactions. To address this, we propose Spatially-Aware Retrieval-Augmented Generation (SA-RAG), an innovative framework integrating visual attention tracking with Retrieval-Augmented Generation systems and advanced Large Language Models. By capturing users' visual attention in real time, SA-RAG dynamically retrieves contextually relevant data, enhancing the accuracy, personalization, and depth of user interactions within immersive virtual environments. The system's effectiveness is initially demonstrated through our preliminary tests within a realistic VR museum implemented using Unreal Engine. Although promising, comprehensive human evaluations involving broader user groups are planned for future studies to rigorously validate SA-RAG's effectiveness, educational enrichment potential, and accessibility improvements in virtual museums. The framework also presents opportunities for broader applications in immersive educational and storytelling domains. © 2025 Copyright held by the owner/author(s).},
keywords = {Association reactions, Behavioral Research, Generation systems, Geographics, Human computer interaction, Human engineering, Immersive, Information Retrieval, Interactive computer graphics, Language Model, Large language model, large language models, Museums, Retrieval-Augmented Generation, Search engines, Spatially aware, User interfaces, Virtual environments, Virtual museum, Virtual museum., Virtual Reality, Visual Attention, Visual languages},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
Virtual Reality has significantly expanded possibilities for immersive museum experiences, overcoming traditional constraints such as space, preservation, and geographic limitations. However, existing virtual museum platforms typically lack dynamic, personalized, and contextually accurate interactions. To address this, we propose Spatially-Aware Retrieval-Augmented Generation (SA-RAG), an innovative framework integrating visual attention tracking with Retrieval-Augmented Generation systems and advanced Large Language Models. By capturing users' visual attention in real time, SA-RAG dynamically retrieves contextually relevant data, enhancing the accuracy, personalization, and depth of user interactions within immersive virtual environments. The system's effectiveness is initially demonstrated through our preliminary tests within a realistic VR museum implemented using Unreal Engine. Although promising, comprehensive human evaluations involving broader user groups are planned for future studies to rigorously validate SA-RAG's effectiveness, educational enrichment potential, and accessibility improvements in virtual museums. The framework also presents opportunities for broader applications in immersive educational and storytelling domains. © 2025 Copyright held by the owner/author(s).
2024
Vasic, I.; Fill, H. -G.; Quattrini, R.; Pierdicca, R.
LLM-Aided Museum Guide: Personalized Tours Based on User Preferences Proceedings Article
In: L.T., De Paolis; P., Arpaia; M., Sacco (Ed.): Lect. Notes Comput. Sci., pp. 249–262, Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2024, ISBN: 03029743 (ISSN); 978-303171709-3 (ISBN).
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Artificial intelligence techniques, Automated process, Cultural heritages, Extended reality, Language Model, Large language model, large language models, Modeling languages, Museum guide, User's preferences, Virtual environments, Virtual museum, Virtual museums, Virtual tour
@inproceedings{vasic_llm-aided_2024,
title = {LLM-Aided Museum Guide: Personalized Tours Based on User Preferences},
author = {I. Vasic and H. -G. Fill and R. Quattrini and R. Pierdicca},
editor = {De Paolis L.T. and Arpaia P. and Sacco M.},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85205127699&doi=10.1007%2f978-3-031-71710-9_18&partnerID=40&md5=fba73e38a432e0749b8e79197ef85310},
doi = {10.1007/978-3-031-71710-9_18},
isbn = {03029743 (ISSN); 978-303171709-3 (ISBN)},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-01-01},
booktitle = {Lect. Notes Comput. Sci.},
volume = {15029 LNCS},
pages = {249–262},
publisher = {Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH},
abstract = {The quick development of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) techniques is a promising step toward automated processes in the field of cultural heritage (CH). The recent rise of powerful Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT has made them a commonly utilized tool for a wide range of tasks across various fields. In this paper, we introduce LLMs as a guide in the three-dimensional (3D) panoramic virtual tour of the Civic Art Gallery of Ascoli to enable visitors to express their interest and show them the requested content. The input to our algorithm is a user request in natural language. The processing tasks are performed with the OpenAI’s Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT) 4o model. Requests are handled through the OpenAI’s API. We demonstrate all the functionalities within a developed local web-based application. This novel approach is capable of solving the problem of generic guided tours in the museum and offers a solution for the more automatized and personalized ones. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024.},
keywords = {Artificial intelligence techniques, Automated process, Cultural heritages, Extended reality, Language Model, Large language model, large language models, Modeling languages, Museum guide, User's preferences, Virtual environments, Virtual museum, Virtual museums, Virtual tour},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
The quick development of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) techniques is a promising step toward automated processes in the field of cultural heritage (CH). The recent rise of powerful Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT has made them a commonly utilized tool for a wide range of tasks across various fields. In this paper, we introduce LLMs as a guide in the three-dimensional (3D) panoramic virtual tour of the Civic Art Gallery of Ascoli to enable visitors to express their interest and show them the requested content. The input to our algorithm is a user request in natural language. The processing tasks are performed with the OpenAI’s Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT) 4o model. Requests are handled through the OpenAI’s API. We demonstrate all the functionalities within a developed local web-based application. This novel approach is capable of solving the problem of generic guided tours in the museum and offers a solution for the more automatized and personalized ones. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024.
Bayat, R.; Maio, E. De; Fiorenza, J.; Migliorini, M.; Lamberti, F.
Exploring Methodologies to Create a Unified VR User-Experience in the Field of Virtual Museum Experiences Proceedings Article
In: IEEE Gaming, Entertain., Media Conf., GEM, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2024, ISBN: 979-835037453-7 (ISBN).
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Cultural heritages, Meta-museum, Meta-museums, Metaverse, Metaverses, Research frontiers, Research opportunities, user experience, User experience design, User interfaces, User-Experience Design, Users' experiences, Virtual avatar, Virtual machine, Virtual museum, Virtual Reality, Virtual reality experiences
@inproceedings{bayat_exploring_2024,
title = {Exploring Methodologies to Create a Unified VR User-Experience in the Field of Virtual Museum Experiences},
author = {R. Bayat and E. De Maio and J. Fiorenza and M. Migliorini and F. Lamberti},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85199517817&doi=10.1109%2fGEM61861.2024.10585452&partnerID=40&md5=203c7b426a11144acc7a2fedbbac6a98},
doi = {10.1109/GEM61861.2024.10585452},
isbn = {979-835037453-7 (ISBN)},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-01-01},
booktitle = {IEEE Gaming, Entertain., Media Conf., GEM},
publisher = {Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.},
abstract = {The emergence of Virtual Reality (VR) and meta-verse have opened doors to new research opportunities and frontiers in User Experience (UX). Within the cultural heritage domain, one of the key concepts is that of the Virtual Museums (VMs), whose definition has been extended through time by many research works and applications. However, most of the studies performed so far focused on only one application, and studied its UX without taking into account the experience with other VR experiences possibly available in the VM. The purpose of this work is to give a contribution for an optimal design to create a unified UX across multiple VR experiences. More specifically, the research included the development of two applications, respectively a VM in a metaverse platform and a virtual learning workshop as an individual application. With this premise, the study will also consider two fundamental elements for an effective UX design: a Virtual Environment (VE) and an Intelligent Virtual Avatar (IVA). In particular, the latest was developed following current trends about generative AI, integrating an IVA powered by a Large Language Model (LLM). © 2024 IEEE.},
keywords = {Cultural heritages, Meta-museum, Meta-museums, Metaverse, Metaverses, Research frontiers, Research opportunities, user experience, User experience design, User interfaces, User-Experience Design, Users' experiences, Virtual avatar, Virtual machine, Virtual museum, Virtual Reality, Virtual reality experiences},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
The emergence of Virtual Reality (VR) and meta-verse have opened doors to new research opportunities and frontiers in User Experience (UX). Within the cultural heritage domain, one of the key concepts is that of the Virtual Museums (VMs), whose definition has been extended through time by many research works and applications. However, most of the studies performed so far focused on only one application, and studied its UX without taking into account the experience with other VR experiences possibly available in the VM. The purpose of this work is to give a contribution for an optimal design to create a unified UX across multiple VR experiences. More specifically, the research included the development of two applications, respectively a VM in a metaverse platform and a virtual learning workshop as an individual application. With this premise, the study will also consider two fundamental elements for an effective UX design: a Virtual Environment (VE) and an Intelligent Virtual Avatar (IVA). In particular, the latest was developed following current trends about generative AI, integrating an IVA powered by a Large Language Model (LLM). © 2024 IEEE.