Labs and Resources
At the Department of Computer Science (DIKU), we have a powerful compute cluster and a number of modern labs with a variety of equipment, from Cobots to Motion Capture systems.
We believe that research and teaching in labs are indispensable for computer science as they provide the necessary infrastructure, tools, and environment to conduct rigorous, innovative, and impactful research. Labs are crucial for creating prototypes, testing software, validating simulations, improving user interfaces and experiences, and applying theory to practice.
Likewise, extensive compute resources play a pivotal role in particularly research and teaching within AI. Read about our labs and resources below.
In our fabrication lab, we typically build interfaces and robots. However, the sky is the limit!
You can work on your project from the early stages such as, brainstorming, designing and developing, using low and high-fidelity prototyping. You can get familiar with and explore different tools, software, techniques, and equipment from raw materials such as paper, wood, plastic to electronics, robotics, programming, laser cutting, and 3D Printing.
Our fabrication lab gives access to a wide range of tools and equipment, such as:
- 3D printers and scanners
- Laser cutters and foil cutters
- Equipment for making electronics prototyping, robotics or similar prototypes, including an assortment of components, both electrical and mechanical
- Silicone casting equipment
- Cnc mill (primarily for pcb milling)
- A big selection of tools for making different constructions.
Our Robot lab is the place for experimenting with robotics of all kinds. We primarily test software for robots and teach our students how to program different types of robots. In some cases, we also build entire robots or parts for robots from scratch (this part takes place in our fabrication lab).
Our Robot lab has a growing assortment of different robotics platforms. The different systems makes it possible to capture the actual behaviour of robots and use this information to improve performance. Researchers, students, and collaborators have access to:
- Cobots (UR5es from Universal Robots)
- OnRobot RG2 grippers
- Micro drones
- Wheeled robots (Arlos)
- Optitrack Motion Capture system.
In our Presence Lab, we design, develop, and experiment with techniques and methods for Extended Reality (XR), which encompasses Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR). Here, you can explore many different types of XR tools. Among others, we have a variety of VR and AR glasses, two separate Motion Capture systems, as well as Haptics devices and interfaces.
Researchers, students, and collaborators have access to:
- Oculus Quest 2 VR headsets
- HTC VIVE headsets
- Varjo XR headsets
- Optitrack Motion Capture systems
- Ultraleap Stratos Explore haptics development kit
- Phanthom Omni haptics device.
The Department of Computer Science owns a High Performance Compute Resource consisting of more than 100 GPUs which we fully control. We use the resource for research involving massive amounts of data and/or complex calculations, typically for various disciplines within AI, for simulation, and for testing algorithms.
With servers placed in Denmark, data are kept safe in compliance with EU regulations. The GPU consists of a mixture of Nvidia A100, Nvidia Titan RTX, and H100. It is linked to the SCIENCE Faculty's data storage and sharing solutions, ERDA and SIF, which the SCIENCE HPC Centre are responsible for. The centre is located at the Department of Computer Science and thus, we work closely together. Read more about SCIENCE HPC Centre and their services here.
National compute resources
Denmark is investing heavily in AI resources and is in the process of building one of the world’s most powerful AI supercomputers that researchers at Danish universities will be able to make use of. You can read more about the national supercomputer here.
Contact
Morten Engell-Nørregård
Lab Manager
mort@di.ku.dk
Want to work with us?
Other departments at the University of Copenhagen as well as external collaborators can also get access to our labs and resources when collaborating with our researchers. We continuously purchase new equipment, typically in connection with new research projects.