Publications

@inproceedings{timmerman_cities_2025,

title = {Cities Unseen: Experiencing the Imagined},

author = {K. Timmerman and R. Mertens and A. Yoncalik and L. Spriet},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-105000440301&doi=10.1145%2f3689050.3707685&partnerID=40&md5=6aa0968146eab8f91fba6eaeb30f7f9c},

doi = {10.1145/3689050.3707685},

isbn = {979-840071197-8 (ISBN)},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-01-01},

booktitle = {Proc. Int. Conf. Tangible, Embed., Embodied Interact., TEI},

publisher = {Association for Computing Machinery, Inc},

abstract = {"Cities Unseen: Experiencing the Imagined" is an art installation that reinterprets Italo Calvino's "Invisible Cities" through the lens of virtual reality. The project employs a physical suitcase as a portal, allowing participants to enter and explore virtual urban environments using the Oculus Quest 3. The cityscapes will be developed with generative AI, converting Calvino's descriptions into prompts, creating an immersive space for philosophical reflection on the nature of travel and the boundaries between reality and imagination. By integrating Unity's shared spatial anchors and advanced multiplayer features, "Cities Unseen" supports real-time interaction among participants, emphasizing the social and collaborative dimensions of virtual travel. © 2025 Copyright held by the owner/author(s).},

keywords = {Art installation, Embodiment, Immersive, Immersive Storytelling, Multiplayers, Presence, Real time interactions, Sensory Involvement, Through the lens, Urban environments, Virtual environments, Virtual Reality},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {inproceedings}

}

@inproceedings{christiansen_exploring_2024,

title = {Exploring Presence in Interactions with LLM-Driven NPCs: A Comparative Study of Speech Recognition and Dialogue Options},

author = {F. R. Christiansen and L. Nø. Hollensberg and N. B. Jensen and K. Julsgaard and K. N. Jespersen and I. Nikolov},

editor = {Spencer S.N.},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85212512351&doi=10.1145%2f3641825.3687716&partnerID=40&md5=56ec6982b399fd97196ea73e7c659c31},

doi = {10.1145/3641825.3687716},

isbn = {979-840070535-9 (ISBN)},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-01},

booktitle = {Proc. ACM Symp. Virtual Reality Softw. Technol. VRST},

publisher = {Association for Computing Machinery},

abstract = {Combining modern technologies like large-language models (LLMs), speech-to-text, and text-to-speech can enhance immersion in virtual reality (VR) environments. However, challenges exist in effectively implementing LLMs and educating users. This paper explores implementing LLM-powered virtual social actors and facilitating user communication. We developed a murder mystery game where users interact with LLM-based non-playable characters (NPCs) through interrogation, clue-gathering, and exploration. Two versions were tested: one using speech recognition and another with traditional dialog boxes. While both provided similar social presence, users felt more immersed with speech recognition but found it overwhelming, while the dialog version was more challenging. Slow NPC response times were a source of frustration, highlighting the need for faster generation or better masking for a seamless experience. © 2024 Owner/Author.},

keywords = {Comparatives studies, Computer simulation languages, Economic and social effects, Immersive System, Immersive systems, Language Model, Large language model, Large language models (LLM), Model-driven, Modern technologies, Non-playable character, NPC, Presence, Social Actors, Speech enhancement, Speech recognition, Text to speech, Virtual environments, Virtual Reality, VR},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {inproceedings}

}