A Real-Time Twin in Venice explores how interactive objects can anchor human activities and affect spatial dynamics. It features a non-humanoid robot that moves autonomously throughout public spaces in Venice, providing information about the Exhibition. Motion-capture cameras track crowd distribution and movement. Within the Corderie, Arsenale, the installation includes a screen, a pad for user interface, and a computer that displays real-time digital reconstruction and analysis of the space where the robot is. Visitors can control a virtual robot to test crowd behaviours that has been predicted by artificial intelligence, while the real robot adjusts its position based on these preferences and improving prediction accuracy over time. A Real-Time Twin in Venice shows how real-time data in public space can be extracted, abstracted and visualised. lt also shows how artificial intelligence might be used in helping us to learn and solve simple urban design problems, such as where to put an object of attraction in a given public space. Lastly, it shows a typical process of incrementally learning human behavioural patterns through data and AI. We anticipate that this installation can further extend our understanding of how intelligent technology helps architects better read people's activities, under the theme of The 19th International Architecture Exhibition 'Intelligens. Natural, Artificial, Collective.'

Author: Zhang Li

Affiliation: School of Architecture, Tsinghua University; Urban Ergonomics Lab, SATU

Project Team:

Coordinator: Deng Huishu, Pang Lingbo

Technology & Installation: Xie Qixu, Wang Ziheng

Modelling Assets: Pan Xiaojian, Gao Yaocong, Guo Xinyuan, Yang Ke, Ma Xiang, Xu Ding