Professors about themselves: Otmar Hilliges
Assistant Professor Otmar Hilliges leads the Advanced Interactive Technologies (AIT) lab. His research areas include human-computer interaction, augmented and virtual reality as well as human robot interaction.
Professor Hilliges, what are your interests and hobbies outside of science?
I like cycling, running and many other endurance sports, snowboarding, and generally being outside.
What's your favourite inspirational quote?
"Everything is theoretically impossible, until it is done."
What would you do if you had one year of paid leave?
Travel, volunteer, read lots of books.
If you weren't a scientist, what would you be?
A beach bum and environmental activist.
What is your guiding philosophy for running your lab and doing research?
I want my doctoral students to leverage the scientific method to shape and invent technologies that will have profound impact on our daily lives. I encourage them do go on wild tangents and to dare creative new approaches – to think outside of the box, in other words.
What does diversity in computer science mean to you and why is it important?
Our research is half creation of knowledge and half innovation. For new ideas to emerge it is of vital importance to have a strong technical understanding but also to look at a particular problem from as many different viewpoints as possible. Bringing people with diverse backgrounds together and to encourage expression of diverse opinions is the best way of achieving this.
What's the impact of your research on the society?
We shape the technologies that shape our daily lives and hence work in our area can impact millions of users.