The VWDS department welcomes a new research associate to the group.
The research associate Bea Vorhof has profound knowledge in the field of user-centered development of 3D UIs for eXtended Reality applications. In particular on the visual representation (color and shape) of interactive content in three-dimensional spaces and the creation of usable 3D interactions using iterative methods. Theoretical knowledge of inclusive design, natural user interfaces, gamification and media and engineering psychology round off her profile. She gained this knowledge during her Master's degree at the Medical University of Lübeck. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Media Informatics & Film at Flensburg University of Applied Sciences, where she gained practical experience in 3D modeling, 3D animation and native software development. She has also trained as a technical designer.
During her career, Bea worked in the automotive industry for over two years, focusing on exploring new forms of interaction (uni- and multimodal) with 3D interfaces of innovative XR systems using A/B testing.
As part of the CoHumanics project at TU Ilmenau, she will primarily research how senior citizens and older adults interact with virtual avatars in XR. In order to enable them to communicate interpersonally with family members over long distances via an XR UX, research is being conducted into which factors (e.g. realistic representation of real surroundings, fidelity of the representation of real people and the visualization) have an influence on the UX and the self-perception and perception of others of older adults in XR. The aim of the project is to improve telepresence and assistance systems in the professional/industrial environment.
With her academic knowledge, the new research assistant will make valuable contributions to the FG VWDS. We look forward to seeing her work and the new impulses she will bring to the research field.