CSG Research Presented at 2023 IEEE DTPI

Undergraduate researchers from The University of Tulsa’s Computer Simulation & Gaming (CSG) program made a major impact at the 2023 IEEE Digital Twin and Parallel Intelligence (DTPI) Conference by publishing and presenting their peer-reviewed research on 3D digital twins for virtual reality–based smart installations. Developed through the VIRSA (Virtual Immersive, Remote Sensing, and Actuation) project, their work explores the future of immersive simulation, digital twin optimization, and smart infrastructure, and earned top honors at the international conference.

📝 Paper Presentation: Building Accurate Digital Twins for VR

The team authored and presented the paper, “Acquiring Accurate Quality Digital Entities for Digital Twins within Virtual Reality,” which outlines best practices for creating 3D models used in smart installations. The research covers a range of asset creation methods, including:

• 3D Scanning

• Laser-based Surveys

• Photogrammetry

• Procedural Modeling

It also offers a detailed cost analysis comparing outsourced versus in-house digital model development. The findings are particularly valuable for stakeholders building scalable, efficient digital twins on standalone VR platforms. The paper was co-authored by Professor Akram Taghavi-Burris with CSG undergraduate Bridget Kurr and CS grad student Hawken Grubbs, and presented at the conference by Professor Taghavi-Burris.

🏆 Best Poster Award: Enhancing Digital Twin Technology with VR

In addition to the paper, the TU team presented a poster titled “Enhancing Digital Twin Technology with Virtual Reality,” which received the Best Poster Award at IEEE DTPI 2023. The poster explores the synergy between VR and digital twin technologies, providing a clear case for why VR should be a primary interface for immersive monitoring, training, and simulation systems like VIRSA.

The poster was co-authored by Akram Taghavi-Burris, Jaylnne Gonzalez, Hawken Grubbs, and Chris Burris. It defines key concepts, showcases examples of successful integration, and emphasizes how VR elevates user interaction within digital twin environments.

💡 Innovation in Action

TU’s collaboration with the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) through the VIRSA project continues to provide students with real-world, applied research opportunities at the intersection of simulation, XR, and smart systems. The DTPI conference gave CSG students the chance to showcase their work to an international audience, and their recognition reflects the high caliber of their research and creativity.

Congratulations to the entire research team on this outstanding achievement!