ANR Joint Research Lab (2023 - 2028)

Advancing Human-Centric Systems Engineering

Exploring the potential of the Industrial Metaverse through Virtual Reality, Artificial Intelligence, and highly interactive 3D visualizations.

Discover Our Vision Join the Community

The Vision

Simplifying the Complexity of Modern Engineering

Building the technologies of tomorrow—like spacecraft, sustainable energy grids, or advanced manufacturing plants—is incredibly complex. Engineers typically rely on highly technical diagrams and spreadsheets that are difficult for non-experts to understand.

MIMESIS'Lab is changing that. We are a joint research laboratory uniting academic excellence (G-SCOP, UGA, CNRS) with industrial innovation (SkyReal).

By leveraging the Industrial Metaverse, we transform abstract data into intuitive, immersive 3D environments. We use Virtual Reality (VR) to visualize systems, Artificial Intelligence (AI) to assist decision-making, and collaborative tools to bring global teams together in the same virtual room.

Engineers collaborating in VR

The Science

Overcoming MBSE Adoption Barriers

Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) is hindered by esoteric diagrams, rigid tools, and a lack of visual syntax that alienates non-specialist stakeholders. We tackle these challenges by mixing three interaction paradigms:

Computer-as-Tool (HCI)

Extending engineers' capabilities through intuitive Human-Computer Interaction. We translate highly codified 2D SysML/UML diagrams into visually rich, 3D iconic and symbolic representations with high semantic transparency.

Computer-as-Partner (AI)

Delegating complex analytical tasks to artificial agents. We integrate Generative AI and multi-level digital thread analytics directly into the immersive environment to assist in navigating and verifying system architectures.

Computer-as-Medium (CSCW)

Facilitating communication among teammates. We design asymmetric collaborative environments that connect Systems Architects in VR with Maintenance Engineers on Desktops/AR, fostering shared metacognitive representations.

Our Focus

Core Research Axes

Digital Threads
Research Axis 1

Review Model-Based System Architecture

Focusing on 3D User Interfaces for managing complex Digital Threads. We are exploring multimodal UI techniques that allow engineers to trace and maintain MBSE data across multiple views and levels of abstraction.

  • CAD-MBSE seamless data integration
  • 3D visual representations of SysML/UML
  • Analyzing digital threads with Generative AI assistance
Product Process
Research Axis 2

Design of Model-Based System Architecture

Co-architecting complex industrial product-process systems. Transitioning from abstract 2D diagrammatic representations to immersive 3D space allocations, interface routing, and factory layout flow analysis.

  • From CONOPS to Physical Decomposition in VR
  • Build principles and Factory Layout Editing
  • Quantitative and qualitative usability testing of 3D vs 2D UI
Collaboration
Research Axis 3

Asymmetric Collaboration for Architecting Systems

Enabling distinct engineering disciplines to work together seamlessly using different devices tailored to their specific needs. Ensuring mutual responsiveness and cognitive synchronization across the Virtuality-Reality continuum.

  • Mixed hardware collaboration (VR Headsets, Desktop, CAVE)
  • Connecting Systems Architects, Project Managers, and Domain Engineers
  • Shared metacognitive representations of complex data

See it in Action

Video & Photo Gallery

Demonstrations

Lab Snapshots

Digital Threads Analytics
Multi-user VR Collaboration
Asymmetric Collaboration Interface

* Photos represent illustrative setups of industrial metaverse technologies from MIMESIS'Lab.

Academic Impact

Recent Publications

Exploring model-based systems architecting digital threads in virtual reality. S. C. Medina Galvis, R. Pinquié, B. Paterne (2024). IFIP 21st International Conference on Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), Bangkok, Thailand.

Exploring the potential of virtual reality for model-based systems architecting. H. Wang (2024). Doctoral dissertation, Université Grenoble Alpes. Link

Human-centric co-design of model-based system architecture. R. Pinquié, H. Wang, F. Noël (2023). 33rd CIRP Design Conference, Sydney. Procedia CIRP. Vol. 109, pp. 472-477. Link

Un environnement virtuel immersif, interactif et collaboratif pour les revues de conception basées sur les modèles. V. Romero (2022). Doctoral dissertation, Université Grenoble Alpes. Link

A user-centric computer-aided verification process in a virtuality-reality continuum. V. Romero, R. Pinquié, F. Noël. (2022). Computers in Industry, Vol. 140. Link

An open benchmark exercise for model-based design reviews. V. Romero, R. Pinquié, F Noël. (2022). PLM 2022. IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology, vol 667. Springer. Link

Who We Are

Research Team & Committees

Research Team

  • Romain Pinquié
    Scientific Coordinator & Associate Prof. (Univ Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Grenoble INP, G-SCOP)
    romain.pinquie@grenoble-inp.fr
  • Frédéric Noel
    Vision-R technological XR research platform & Full Prof. (G-SCOP)
  • Gilles Foucault
    Associate Professor (G-SCOP)
  • Camilo Medina & Ghislain Mugisha
    PhD Candidates (G-SCOP)
  • Haobo Wang
    Post-doctoral research fellow (G-SCOP)
  • Baptiste Paterne & Joshuel Kuilwijk
    Research Engineers (G-SCOP)

Committees

Executive Committee
  • Romain Pinquié & Frédéric Noel (G-SCOP)
  • Hugo Falgarone (CEO SkyReal) & Benjamin Ray (CTO SkyReal)
Steering Committee
  • Executive committee members
  • Peggy Zwolinski (Head of G-SCOP UMR CNRS)
  • Valérie Perrier (VP Scientific Board Univ Grenoble Alpes)
  • Ahmed Lbath (Head of Carnot LSI)
Scientific and Industrial Committee
  • Executive committee members
  • Francois Bouissière (Aircraft Architect, Airbus Group)
  • Nicolas Chevassus (Head of Ariane 6 Digital Transformation, Ariane Group)
  • Frédéric Mérienne (Full Prof., XR expert, Arts et Métiers ParisTech)
  • Françoise Darses (Full Prof., Cognitive ergonomics expert, Institute for Biomedical Research of Defense)