Research

The Laboratory of "Digital Culture, Smart Cities, Internet of Things (IoT) and Advanced Digital Technologies and Services" (DigiLab) is actively engaged in conducting research directly and indirectly related to the scientific fields described in its title, as well as in providing services, thereby contributing to the connection of the Department of Informatics at the University of Piraeus with national and international bodies, businesses, and public and private sector organizations. It serves as a scientific entity for the production of basic and applied research, study, and development of scientific knowledge, while meeting educational and research needs at the undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, and postdoctoral levels of the University of Piraeus. Furthermore, it acts as a liaison and service provider linking the University with the market, including the private and public sectors, international organizations, and companies, as well as a vehicle for participating in, exploiting, and managing relevant public, private, national, and European programs. The Director of the Laboratory possesses extensive experience in development and research projects within the field of digital culture, such as library digitization, audiovisual archives, 3D modeling, etc. He has served as a member of the Plenary of the Hellenic Telecommunications and Post Commission (EETT) and is currently a member of the Working Group of the Hellenic Organization for Standardization (ELOT) – National Quality Infrastructure System (ESYP) – ELOT/TE 105/WG1, titled "ICT Quality Indicators for Sustainable and Smart Cities," as well as a member of the Committee for drafting proposals regarding the Archaeological Cadastre for the Ministry of Culture and Sports. The members of the laboratory possess the scientific expertise and experience in digitization processes and the promotion of monuments using highly innovative capturing and documentation technologies, alongside Internet, mobile, virtual, and augmented reality technologies, having participated in numerous research/development projects and committees. Additionally, the laboratory maintains close cooperation with cultural organizations, museums, local government authorities, other social and scientific bodies, and public benefit foundations. This collaboration aims to contribute to the study and investigation of issues related to its field, advance scientific knowledge and research, and enhance interdisciplinarity, thereby fostering the Creative Industry, protecting cultural heritage, boosting contemporary creation, and developing sustainable societies and modern ecosystems.

The laboratory promotes the preservation and enhancement of our country's cultural heritage by integrating modern scientific fields. These include 3D graphics modeling, the application of mixed reality technologies (Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Virtual Worlds), mobile communications, internet and social media technologies, as well as signal and multimedia processing, aiming at the optimal digital management, documentation, and curation of cultural heritage and facets of contemporary culture. Furthermore, it focuses on developing and supporting innovative services within constantly evolving "Smart Cities" connected to the modern ecosystem, infrastructures, operations, and services, such as smart transportation, communications, smart homes, e-government, smart cultural heritage, smart health, smart agriculture, smart digital infrastructure, and smart energy management. It also aims to provide expertise for managing complex urban challenges, developing innovative governance systems for a safe and sustainable city, designing and supporting functional and efficient resource-saving methods, as well as smart disaster management. Additionally, the laboratory is engaged in designing, managing, and supporting new services on modern Internet of Things (IoT) platforms, designing and developing appropriate and innovative IoT systems and services, big data analytics, and designing interdependent IoT systems linked to digital city operations, smart homes, transportation, manufacturing, energy, smart health, smart agriculture, smart security, service provision, communications, smart digital infrastructures, education, governance system development, data security, privacy and personal data integrity protection, cyber intrusion countermeasures, device attack protection, and system and device interoperability.