Researchers at CoSTAR Realtime Lab showcase new frontiers in creative technology

Researchers from across the CoSTAR network came together in Dundee on Friday 1 May for a mini symposium designed to showcase the breadth of work taking place across the programme and strengthen collaboration between teams.

Held at Water’s Edge Studio, the event brought together around 30 researchers from the CoSTAR Realtime Lab and Dundee-based National Lab for a full day of presentations, demonstrations and discussion. The symposium created space for colleagues to connect in person, share insights and explore both completed and in-progress research.

Welcoming attendees, Professor Gregor White, Director of the CoSTAR Realtime Lab, highlighted the importance of creating opportunities for in-person exchange across disciplines. He said:

“Bringing our researchers together like this is vital to what makes CoSTAR distinctive. We are combining cutting-edge technology with creative practice, and events like this help spark the conversations and collaborations that move ideas forward in exciting and unexpected ways. It’s especially valuable to be able to share work in progress and learn directly from each other.”

The day was organised around two themed sessions, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of the CoSTAR community. The morning session, focused on technology, explored advances in rendering systems, artificial intelligence, computer graphics and networked environments.

The afternoon session turned to arts, creativity and performance. Demonstrations and talks explored how emerging technologies are shaping new forms of storytelling and artistic practice, including a live demonstration of the V-Bike, a cooperative cycling experience developed within a virtual production environment.

Across the day, a range of innovative projects were presented, including:

• Real-time relighting and composition techniques for virtual production environments
• New principles for light transport using “Gaussian splatting without Gaussians”
• Cross-site evaluation of private 5G networks for synchronised immersive experiences
• Integration of dynamic lighting systems in virtual production workflows
• Exploration of meta-human identity and experience in immersive contexts
• The Realtime AI Lab’s latest research and development activity
• The V-Bike (Cyclor Sync Project), a cooperative cycling exergame within a virtual production setting
• Creative explorations of the future of live performance
• Artistic research on coastal environments and ecological anxiety
• New media approaches to embodied and experiential knowledge-making
• Carl, an experimental narrative film developed using virtual production techniques

The symposium was originally conceived by the late CoSTAR Project Manager Dr Suzanne Duce, who sadly passed away earlier this year. Colleagues took time to recognise her role in developing the idea, with the event serving as a continuation of her vision to bring researchers together and share work in an open, collaborative environment.

The event follows the announcement of CoSTAR’s new ‘AI for Creativity’ initiative, which will support UK creative businesses through workshops, expert insight, funding opportunities and access to advanced AI tools and infrastructure.

Running throughout May and June 2026, the £1 million programme will explore areas such as AI-assisted motion capture, generative AI workflows and the future of creative practice, with a strong focus on responsible adoption and maintaining principles around authorship, intellectual property and human creativity.