The Media Interaction Lab

The Media Interaction Lab (MiL), originally founded in Austria, is now also hosted at NOI Techpark and part of the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano. Since 2004, the Media Interaction Lab conducts research in the area of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Ubiquitous Computing. More specifically, the focus is on the design, implementation, and evaluation of next-generation user interfaces. Our research methodology is a mix of theory, design, and evaluation. The problems, we attack are often real problems posed by users from the industry (e.g. BMW, KTM, SEFAR, Tratter etc.), and we strive to involve these users in the design process in a user-centered fashion. After years of extensive research in mixed reality and tabletop interaction, our lab continued its journey towards large interactive surfaces, creative environments, next-generation interfaces, and smart textiles, which is still a major research focus within the lab. In the last couple of years, we have increased research efforts in more hardware-related domains, such as sensing technologies and hardware design. These efforts also manifest in recent projects with automotive companies, where one major goal is to develop and investigate next-generation interfaces for vehicles.

Current Projects

SmartCover (2024 – 2026)

In SmartCover, the goal is the design and development of smart laminated dashboards, with the simultaneous reduction of plastic components and haptic plastic buttons and controls. 

iPlayground (2024 – 2026)

In iPlayground, we will set up a smart textile lab with a strong focus on the design and development of smart textile interfaces based on warp knitting.

WE-CARE (2023 – 2025)

In WE-CARE, we are designing and implementing sustainable and wearable textile-based triboelectric sensors for the detection of human breathing, pulse, and motions realized through traditional textile manufacturing techniques (e.g., embroidery, knitting, or stitching).

eMotion (2021 – 2024)

For an e-scooter demonstrator, developed by KTM, we design and implement a new HMI concept as well as a new dashboard. The aim of eMotion is to improve driver experience, usability, and driving range through the use of intelligent on-board information systems.