Ricardo Eiris

(1) AI-Enabled Metaverse and the Future of Work and Education: The metaverse as an immersive digital space in which humans interact with AI systems is at the forefront of technological innovation. My research seeks to transform the future of training and education through the use of the AI-enabled metaverse, supporting professionals and students to understand and interact with jobsites beyond the existing constraints of reality (e.g., time, space, social interactions).

(2) Extended-Reality (AR/VR/MR) Technologies for Safety Applications: Extended-reality technologies are becoming ubiquitous in today’s construction industry and academia. My research aims to advance safety applications by using novel extended-reality technologies, eye-tracking, and AI-based human modeling to help professionals and students in visualizing and understanding jobsite hazards, latent risks, and safety parameters. My research is leading the way on the utilization of 360-degree panorama environments as representations of real-world locations such as construction jobsites.

(3) Drone Operations: Drones are becoming ever-present on workplaces such as construction sites. However, liability and safety concerns pose challenges for professionals and students to learn how to perform flights and interact with these aerial robots. My research explores new methods to visualize and simulate drone data for planning, decision-making, and practicing operations.