Zegel University of Leiden
Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science (LIACS)		 Leiden Univ home
Digital Life Technologies

Quick Links:

Contact Information:

Digital Life Technologies Group
Leiden Inst. of Advanced Computer Sciences
Room 124
University of Leiden
P.O. Box 9512
2300 RA Leiden
The Netherlands

University Info Links:

People:

Researchers:

Associates:

Former Members

Research Directions: Digital Life Technologies, including moving more technology into our lives, moving our lives into our technology, and the emergence of life within our technology. Our areas of research include:
 
Transhumanism, Virtual Immortality, & Spiritual Robots:
Long-term research problems related to the eventual, effective uploading of human minds (Virtual Immortality) as well as the synthetic resurrection/preservation of humans (e.g., Digiital Immortality). In particular, we are interested in whole-brain theoretical foundations, personality capture and modeling, interactive VideoBots, and BioInformatics arenas related to this endeavor.

Disappearing Computers:
Computing objects, wearable electronics, Smart Homes & Environments, including home automation systems, infrastructures, and intelligent-agent control systems; distributed and redundant, embedded computational capabilities within appliances, Smart TVs, whole-house audio-video, and home theaters, and home networks

 Internet Bots and Emotional Agents:
Distributed Internet computing and scripting; the Semantic Web; automated software bot systems and hosting capabilities; VideoBots & Chatterbots, digital video & movie making, natural languagee interfaces.

A-Life Design:
Classification and design systems for specifying desired behavior in distributed automata and artificial life systems; the design of virtual pets, and artificial personalities.

High-Performance Computing:
Reconfigurable, scalable computer systems for emerging application domains; OS and other contrrol systems for large-scale systems executing complex systems; parallel and distributed simulation.

High-Density Storage:
Self-organizing, always online, mass storage systems and architectures, especially targeted to individual and group use. Whole-life storage on CAMs, smart memories. The suitability of biomolecules for long-term, mass-storage applications involving DNA-computing.

Class Items:

Spiritual Machines & Artificial Minds

(Fall Semester, 2002)

This upper-level course will examine issues central to the escalating powers of computing technologies and machine intelligence, including so-called "super intelligent" machines, the role of consciousness in intelligence, robot evolution, mind uploading, virtual & digital immortality, the mind vs. machine debate, and quantum consciousness.

Dynamic Media Technologies

(Fall Semester, 2002)

This course will examine various technologies in the field of dynamic media, including audio and video, streaming media, interactive movies, immersive media, non-linear digital video editing, and web integration and deployment. The QuickTime architecture will be the key architecture utilized during the study. Students will have many opportunities to explore the various technologies during lab exercises and in class demonstrations.

Participants can include both LIACS Media Technology students and upper-level LIACS Computer Science students.

Bots, Spiders & Emotional Agents

(to be repeated in Spring 2003)

QuickTime VR Technology:

April, 2002. Two full days. Participants can include both LIACS Media Technology students and upper-level LIACS Computer Science students. For information, send an email to Doug DeGroot.

Related Resources
Projects Available: (click here for additional information)

Software Projects

  • X-10 Software Interface to Scripting Languages
  • Content Syndication for Group Collaboration
  • Chatterbots & System Integration
  • DVD for CreepTales Movie
  • Distributed Simulation over Internet
  • Rebol Interfacing for Bot Systems
  • QTVR & Medical Applications
  • Group Collaboration Servers (HotLine, Wiki, Rugby, etc.)
  • Bookmark Publishing, Management & Syndication
  • Graphical Brain-Building Tools for Chatterbots
  • Digital Movie Making: Highlander Uncut & Cut to the Chase
  • Bot Construction Kits
  • Singing Computers
  • Bioinformatics Software Bots

MS Projects

  • Virtual DJs and Internet Radio
  • Chatterbots & Digital Immortality
  • VideoBots
  • Video Servers & Netcasting for Private Groups
  • Ontologies for SmartComputing & SmartHomes
  • Scheduling and Load Balancing for Parallel Procs. using Simulated Annealing
  • Bot Server & Hosting
  • AI Pets Architectures & Evolutionary Personalities
  • X-10 & PCS Wireless Device Architectures
  • AI Gaming Bots & Distributed Testbed Development
  • Low-cost, Networked RFID Asset Management in the Home & Office
  • Next-Generation Remote Controls (for the Home Theater and SmartHome)

Ph.D. Projects Available

  • Spiritual Robots
  • DNA Program Proofs & Derivations
  • Next-Generation TiVos & SmartTVs

Events of Possible Interest:

At Leiden University:

In Europe:


(MASCOTS 2004 will be held in Leiden, The Netherlands)

Organizations:

Netherlands & European

USA & International
Problems? Please report them to: RDD.