Rice University
The Experiential Pixels Lab at Rice University is dedicated to advancing the state of extended reality systems through innovative research at the intersection of systems engineering, creative media, and human-computer interaction. The EXP LAB is housed in Rice University's Duncan Hall, as part of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. We carry deep partnership with Houston Methodist Bookout Center for medical XR innovation and ASU Mesh Labs for educational impact and workforce development.
We design and optimize software and hardware underlying XR platforms, from sensors and mobile platforms to rendering pipelines. This includes hardware-aware scheduling, perceptual capture, and OS-level integration for real-time immersive applications.
Multi-resolution Visual Sensing Architecture for High-Fidelity Vision at Low Power
A Framework for Dynamic Voltage Scaling of Image Sensors
Split-Process Framework for Fine-Grained Visual Privacy Control for Augmented Reality
An Image Sensor Reconfiguration Framework for Seamless Resolution-based Tradeoffs
Temperature Management to Enable Near-Sensor Processing for Energy-Efficient High-Fidelity imaging
We build responsive systems that extend XR experiences through touch, sound, smell, and environmental feedback. Our research integrates haptic actuation, spatialized audio, olfactory synthesis, and real-time control into game engines and physical spaces.
Enabling haptic perceptions of virtual fluids in various vessel profiles using a string-driven haptic interface
A Shifting-Weight Interface of Simulated Hydrodynamics for Haptic Perception of Virtual Fluid Vessels
Embodied mixed reality with passive haptics for chemistry titration
Spatial audio for SmartHome AR and VR
We build systems for sensing, representing, compressing, and streaming volumetric scenes for real-time immersive communication and spatial computing applications.
An AR/VR platform for remote sports coaching
An illumination estimation framework for real-time photorealistic augmented reality
We create multi-scale, multi-user, and multimodal systems to help people interact with complex datasets. These interfaces support scientific exploration, collaborative sensemaking, and public storytelling in spatial computing contexts.
Immersive visualization of layered terrain data for collaborative scientific sensemaking.
A spreadsheet-programmable augmented reality framework for immersive map-based visualizations
We develop authoring frameworks and collaborative toolkits that empower artists, educators, and domain experts to create immersive experiences. This includes AI-assisted workflows, multi-user content creation, and custom pipelines for VR/AR storytelling.
A public projection-art and DMX lighting pipeline for Rice's FIFA World Cup 2026 activations mapping digital media onto circular gate canvases.
A cross-platform hurricane learning experience for forecasting decision making and safety
A meteorology experience and scalable design shell for gamified mobile learning
A framework for interdisciplinary immersive narrative production
Immersive narrative development workflows for meteorology labs
Roles responsibilities and dependencies in student-powered XR production
Role-based virtual reality career exploration for student imagination and creative self-efficacy