about reality design lab

The lab

Reality Design Lab is an interdisciplinary research and design lab focused on the intersection of spatial computing and programmable cryptography. Led by Botao Amber Hu, this lab prioritizes the development of embodied interactions within mixed reality and the realm of blockchain-substrated artificial life. Amber is not only a researcher and innovator in the field but also an accomplished designer and creative technologist who initiated Holo Interactive Inc., which operates the lab. His contributions have been showcased at prestigious events such as SIGGRAPH, WWW, CHI, SXSW, and TEDx, earning him recognition through numerous accolades like the CHI Best Interactivity, Red Dot Design Award, Webby Awards, and Core77 Design Award. His academic background includes a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Tsinghua University and a Master's in Artificial Intelligence from Stanford University.

Research interests

The Reality Design Lab is at the forefront of exploring the intricate intersections of the 3As:

• augmented reality (AR)
• artificial intelligence life (ALife)
• autonomous world (AW)

This lab is dedicated to investigating and understanding the multifaceted implications of the emerging technologies all with the overarching goal of answering a fundamental question:

What is that reality in the future?

By amalgamating human-computer interaction principles and advanced computational techniques, we aim to discern the profound impact of these technologies on the future socio-technical landscape. Through our meticulous investigations, we strive to contribute to the academic community by advancing the theoretical foundations and practical applications of human-computer interaction in this evolving paradigm. Our research endeavors encompass various aspects, including but not limited to user experience design, interaction modalities, ethical implications, and socio-economic considerations within the context of AR, ALife and autonomous systems.

The topics we are interested in includes but are not limit to:

• Co-located multiplayer mixed reality
• Embodiment in mixed reality
• Artificial life in mixed reality
• On-chain artificial life
• Playable city/urban computing

With our work, we seek to unravel the complexities of the future reality, exploring the transformative possibilities that arise from the convergence of these technologies. We aim to envision and shape a future where the boundaries between physical and digital realms blur, and where novel economic models redefine traditional notions of value and exchange.

Reality designers

The Reality Design Lab thrives on the expertise and collaboration of a diverse team, including students mentored by founder Amber, previously employed engineers and designers, research assistants, and domain experts. Together, they contribute their unique perspectives and talents to explore the possibilities of the future. Their collective commitment and collaboration drive the lab's success in pushing the boundaries of our understanding for the future.

Interested in joining us or looking for collaboration? Join us