Projects

As part of the research campus STIMULATE (opens in a new window), we develop solutions for image-guided medicine. Below you will find our current research projects, newest first, followed by our completed projects, most recently ended first.

Current projects

Ongoing until 12/2028New

AMIR

AR-assisted control of intelligent medical robots in interventional radiology

Investigates augmented-reality interfaces that let clinicians safely monitor and collaborate with (semi-)autonomous medical robots in interventional radiology, aiming at a first research prototype of such a human–robot ecosystem.

Duration
01/2026 – 12/2028
Funding
EU (opens in a new window) + state funding

Project partners

Related publications

  • Just the Tip of the Trajectory? An End-Effector Path Preview vs Full-Arm Visualization for Approving Robot Motions in Mixed RealityK Olszynska, C Liebsch, R Klank et al.IEEE International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality Adjunct (ISMAR-Adjunct), 2026
Ongoing until 10/2028

KIRAL

AI-assisted resection planning and adaptation in liver surgery after neoadjuvant therapy

Supports liver surgery with AI that predicts the response to neoadjuvant therapy and updates the resection plan during surgery using intraoperative ultrasound, shown in augmented reality and controlled by voice and gestures.

Duration
11/2025 – 10/2028

Project partners

Related publications

Ongoing until 09/2029

STIMULATE III – iCT

Image-guided minimally invasive therapies for tumours, venous disease and bile duct strictures

Develops minimally invasive, image-guided therapies for clinical use, combining interventional MRI and CT with AI-based imaging, robotic assistance and training environments.

Duration
10/2025 – 09/2029
Project staff
Max Steiger, M.Sc.

Project partners

Related publications

Show 2 more publications
Ongoing until 12/2027

LISA

AI-based web platform for live translation and speech analysis

Builds an AI-based real-time translation pipeline (speech-to-text-to-speech) and integrates it into an existing web platform.

Duration
03/2025 – 12/2027
Funding
EU (opens in a new window) + state funding

Project partners

Ongoing until 12/2027

PELKI

Platform for creating AR/VR learning scenarios with generative AI

Uses generative AI to create AR/VR training scenarios automatically from trainer input, and compares AI-supported scene generation with classical authoring.

Duration
03/2025 – 12/2027
Funding
EU (opens in a new window) + state funding

Project partners

Related publications

Ongoing until 12/2027

PEACOCC

Patient-specific visualization for the perioperative optimization of oncological surgery of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma

Improves the surgical treatment of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma with photon-counting CT imaging, AI-based planning support, and VR/AR combined with 3D printing for intraoperative orientation.

Duration
01/2025 – 12/2027
Project staff
Ziyao He, M.Sc.

Project partners

Ongoing until 12/2027

hARPyie

Hybrid AR framework for projection analysis and interactive error correction

Investigates an AR headset application that highlights projection errors on curved surfaces and guides users through gesture-based corrections, with optional remote support.

Duration
01/2025 – 12/2027
Funding
EU (opens in a new window) + state funding

Project partners

Ongoing until 12/2027

FlexTube

VR framework for training with flexible tubular structures

Investigates a VR framework for training the handling of flexible tubular structures such as cables, vessels and surgical sutures, evaluated in automotive and medical training scenarios.

Duration
01/2025 – 12/2027
Funding
EU (opens in a new window) + state funding

Project partners

Ongoing until 12/2027

RehaFLOOR

Projection-coupled pressure-sensing floor for gait analysis and rehabilitation

Investigates a low-cost system that combines multi-channel projection with a modular, large-area pressure-sensing floor for gait analysis and rehabilitation, e.g. after stroke, accident or amputation.

Duration
01/2025 – 12/2027
Funding
EU (opens in a new window) + state funding
Principal investigator
Prof. Dr. Christian Hansen

Project partners

Ongoing until 04/2027

IDLE

XR technologies for involving users in early development phases of medical devices

Investigates contactless, textile-based gesture control for medical devices and examines, in virtual prototypes, how XR can involve users in early device development.

Duration
05/2024 – 04/2027
Project staff
Robert Klank, M.A.

Project partners

Related publications

  • Testing before Building? Strengths and Weaknesses of VR-Based Usability Testing of a Gesture InterfaceR Klank, F Heinrich, D Schott et al.ACM Symposium on Virtual Reality Software and Technology (VRST), 2026

Completed projects

Completed 10/2026

T!Raum transPORT – transDIGITAL (opens in a new window)

Digital twin for the transfer space transPORT

Builds a digital twin of the Magdeburg science port that visualises buildings, infrastructure and district processes, first as a platform for exchange and communication and later with public feedback and participation.

Duration
11/2023 – 10/2026

Project partners

Related publications

Show 1 more publication
Completed 06/2026

MAINTAIN (opens in a new window)

Multi-applicator assistance system for interventional pancreatic cancer treatment with placement-error compensation

Develops hardware and software for a multi-applicator assistance system that supports precise applicator placement in CT-guided pancreatic cancer interventions, detects placement errors and suggests compensating adjustments.

Duration
01/2024 – 06/2026

Project partners

Related publications

Completed 12/2025

MUTAR (opens in a new window)

Multi-user training in augmented reality

Develops a multi-user augmented-reality framework in which several users share and manipulate virtual content across head-mounted displays, tablets and smartphones.

Duration
07/2023 – 12/2025

Project partners

Related publications

  • Show me what to do: Evaluation of display parameters for demonstration of hand movements in augmented medical examination trainingL Schwenderling, F Heinrich, C HansenIEEE International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality Adjunct (ISMAR-Adjunct), 2026
Show 6 more publications
Completed 09/2025

STIMULATE II – iCT (opens in a new window)

Works towards interventional CT as a curative treatment for lung and liver tumours, developing instrument tracking for automatic image following, a lightweight robot-guided ultrasound probe, a dedicated patient table and dose-reducing imaging protocols.

Duration
10/2020 – 09/2025

Project partners

Related publications

Show 7 more publications
Completed 02/2025

OnSXale (opens in a new window)

Display and interaction methods in distributed XR learning environments

Designs and evaluates collaborative VR learning environments for vocational craft training, investigating minimally skeuomorphic, didactically effective content presentation and methods for distributed collaborative task work.

Duration
09/2022 – 02/2025
Principal investigator
Prof. Dr. Christian Hansen

Project partners

Completed 12/2024

ProLeARn (opens in a new window)

Hardware-independent augmented reality environment (ARPSL)

Develops a low-cost projector-based AR system for school lessons that gives several learners simultaneous access to virtual content without individual headsets, investigating projection geometries and algorithms for display and interaction.

Duration
06/2022 – 12/2024
Principal investigator
Prof. Dr. Christian Hansen

Project partners

Completed 12/2024

Web-KI Prostate (opens in a new window)

AI-based prediction algorithms for prostate diseases

Develops and evaluates a web-based AI application that flags suspicious prostate tissue and estimates disease likelihood, to improve diagnosis and reduce unnecessary biopsies.

Duration
04/2022 – 12/2024
Principal investigator
Prof. Dr. Christian Hansen

Project partners

Completed 07/2023

MultiMersive (opens in a new window)

Extended interaction with virtual content (InterActVR)

Develops and evaluates a software framework that lets medical and industrial training content move seamlessly between 2D video, 360° video and VR scenes.

Duration
08/2021 – 07/2023
Principal investigator
Prof. Dr. Christian Hansen

Project partners

Completed 04/2023

medAR (opens in a new window)

Medical tracking and AR interaction system (MTAI)

Investigates interactive stereoscopic AR display techniques for medicine, in particular projector-based overlays of navigation cues and virtual anatomy onto the patient during minimally invasive procedures, plus first-aid and anatomy training.

Duration
02/2021 – 04/2023
Principal investigator
Prof. Dr. Christian Hansen

Project partners

Related publications

Show 4 more publications
Completed 02/2023

VR-MED (opens in a new window)

VR-based emergency simulation for medical education and training

Develops a VR simulator with simulation algorithms and virtual medical equipment that reproduces diagnostic and treatment procedures, to improve emergency-medicine training for physicians and paramedics.

Duration
03/2021 – 02/2023
Principal investigator
Prof. Dr. Christian Hansen

Project partners

Completed 08/2022

Improving spatial perception for medical augmented reality with interactive depth layers (opens in a new window)

Investigates whether depth-layer decomposition, transparency and multimodal or collaborative interaction improve the understanding of spatial relations in multilayer medical AR.

Duration
09/2019 – 08/2022

Project partners

Completed 05/2022

AVATAR (opens in a new window)

Augmented and virtual multi-user applications for medical-technical exchange in immersive rooms

Develops collaborative VR interaction and visualisation techniques with hybrid ultra-wideband/inertial tracking, so that surgeons can train together in real time over distance.

Duration
09/2018 – 05/2022

Project partners

Completed 12/2021

VR/AR-based explorer for medical education (opens in a new window)

Investigates VR/AR for basic medical education on affordable mobile devices, linking virtual content to existing anatomy and surgery textbooks, with an authoring tool for teachers.

Duration
06/2019 – 12/2021
Funding
EU (opens in a new window) + state funding
Principal investigator
Prof. Dr. Christian Hansen

Project partners

Completed 10/2021

Biofeedback-based AR system for medical balance training (opens in a new window)

Develops a prototype that extends an existing balance-therapy device with an AR-based operating and game interface and multi-physiological sensing for biofeedback training.

Duration
11/2019 – 10/2021
Principal investigator
Prof. Dr. Christian Hansen

Project partners

Completed 03/2021

Smart insole for interaction applications (opens in a new window)

Investigates controlling software through foot gestures captured by a smart insole, keeping the hands free and avoiding contact with non-sterile input devices in the operating room.

Duration
10/2017 – 03/2021
Funding
EU (opens in a new window) + state funding
Principal investigator
Prof. Dr. Christian Hansen

Project partners

Completed 12/2020

Automated online service for patient-specific 3D models to support therapy decisions (opens in a new window)

Develops an automated online service for patient-specific 3D organ models, studied for prostate cancer therapy, with improved image segmentation and human–computer interaction techniques.

Duration
11/2016 – 12/2020
Funding
EU (opens in a new window) + state funding
Principal investigator
Prof. Dr. Christian Hansen

Project partners

Completed 06/2020

Augmented reality-assisted 3D laparoscopy (opens in a new window)

Develops an AR approach that fuses MRI or CT cross-sections with real-time 3D laparoscopic images and establishes image-compatible markers, motivated by partial nephrectomy.

Duration
07/2017 – 06/2020
Funding
EU (opens in a new window) + state funding
Principal investigator
Prof. Dr. Christian Hansen

Project partners

Completed 04/2020

3D projection displays for training and support of medical interventions (opens in a new window)

Investigates a camera-based 3D multi-projector system for medical visualisation and interaction, supporting training and interventions.

Duration
04/2017 – 04/2020
Funding
EU (opens in a new window) + state funding
Principal investigator
Prof. Dr. Christian Hansen

Project partners

Completed 04/2020

Improving spatial perception in medical AR through illustrative visualization and auditory feedback (opens in a new window)

Investigates how to encode spatial information in medical AR with illustrative shadows and glyphs, context-adaptive delineation and auditory feedback, to reduce spatial misinterpretation during image-guided interventions.

Duration
04/2016 – 04/2020

Project partners

Completed 02/2020

Home training for the therapy of cognitive disorders (opens in a new window)

Investigates motivation techniques that support home training in the therapy of cognitive disorders, particularly after stroke.

Duration
03/2017 – 02/2020
Funding
EU (opens in a new window) + state funding
Principal investigator
Prof. Dr. Christian Hansen

Project partners

Completed 12/2019

STIMULATE – Planning and Navigation (opens in a new window)

Develops algorithms and clinically usable prototypes for planning and navigating minimally invasive interventions, focusing on instrument tracking, calibration, AR visualisation and sterile human–machine interaction.

Duration
01/2015 – 12/2019

Project partners

Completed 02/2018

2D map displays to support neurosurgical interventions (opens in a new window)

Designs, develops and evaluates a 2D map display for navigation support during neurosurgery, with algorithms that provide classified, weighted neurosurgical data.

Duration
03/2017 – 02/2018
Principal investigator
Prof. Dr. Christian Hansen

Project partners

Further information on these projects can be found in the research portal of Saxony-Anhalt (opens in a new window).

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