Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH) is the leading technical university in Lithuania and has extensive experience in the field of technical and digital disciplines. It participated in numerous projects in which it has tested solutions for urban events and will put its expertise in measuring emotional states in real time during the hybrid event. The use of equipment and indicators that have already been tested and validated in other contexts will make P3 implementation possible.
PhD DrSc A. Kaklauskas is a professor at Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Lithuania; Chair of the Department of Construction Management and Real Estate; a former member of the Research Council of Lithuania (2018–2023); a member of the Science Europe working group on Data Sharing and Supporting Infrastructures; a member of the European Open Science Cloud Steering Board; an expert to the intergovernmental meeting on UNESCO’s Draft Recommendation on the Ethics of AI; a member of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences; the editor-in-chief of Journal of Civil Engineering and Management (Web of Science Q2 journal); an editor of Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence (international Web of Science Q1 journal); and an associate editor of Ecological Indicators, another international journal. He contributed to nine Framework and five Horizon 2020 projects and participated in over 30 other projects in the EU, the USA, Africa and Asia. He published 212 papers, totaling 5,180 citations in the Web of Science; his H-Index is 37.
Role in META-MUSEUM
VILNIUS TECH is responsible for developing and integrating the real‑time emotional, affective, and physiological measurement system into the META‑MUSEUM M4 platform. The team refines the existing TRL4 system, incorporates AI‑based analysis, and conducts pilot testing to ensure that the final M4 system reaches TRL8 and operates reliably, ethically, and robustly during cultural‑experience demonstrations.
In META‑MUSEUM, VILNIUS TECH contributes to WP1, WP2, WP3, WP8, and WP9, covering system development, data management, hybrid‑environment experimentation, and dissemination activities.
Expertise & Capabilities
Neuroscientific and psychological examination of cultural experiences:
- Assessing emotional and cognitive effects: Employing emotional, affective, and physiological sensors to measure visitor reactions to cultural stimuli, shifting from theoretical assumptions to data-driven metrics.
- Assessing confidence and involvement: Examining how interaction with cultural heritage can improve a user’s ability to handle modern difficulties and promote personal confidence and involvement.
Transdisciplinary method to museography:
- Connectingfields: Merging museography with neuroscience, social sciences, computer science, andaffective computing to develop comprehensive exhibition approaches.
- Engagedco-creation: Transitioning from passive observation to active involvement, motivating users to contribute to the understanding of CH.
- Mass customized storytelling and narrative development: Creatinginnovative, narrative-focused methods toshowcase cultural heritage in a more captivating and approachable manner
Digital and technical skills:
- Affective computing tools:Utilizingemotional computing and AI to develop interactive and tailor-made experiences.
- Management and integration of data: Creating structures to cleanse, merge, and evaluate diverse datasets, guaranteeing top-notch, compatible data for research purposes.
- Prototyping andM4development: Creating M4 for testing in pilot scenarios.
Engagement and inclusivity of the audience:
- Engaging Varied Audiences: Connecting with overlooked groups and making cultural heritage available to all, rather than solely to conventional museum visitors.
- Social Cohesion: Improving cultural welfare and nurturing a feeling of belonging and assurance through collective heritage encounters.
Unique contributions to the project include:
- Statistical models: Vilnius Tech created evidence-driven models tocomprehendhow cultural heritage can impact visitors.
- Methodology for mass customisation in affective computing: EmployingM4to assess visitors’ cognitive and emotional reactions, guaranteeing a design based on evidence.
- Active sympathetic interactions: Aiming to transform museums into resources for mental health and community unity, especiallyin light ofcontemporary challenges.
- Emphasis on co-creation: Engaging participants actively in the co-creation process.
- Combined studies: Performing research in museums, events, and living laboratories
Relevant Past Experience
Prof. Habil. Dr. Artūras Kaklauskas, Chief of the Department of Construction Management and Real Estate, has led and implemented more than 70 national and international projects during 2000–2028 (see Appendix 1). These projects were carried out under programmes such as Horizon Europe, Horizon 2020, Framework 4-7, Erasmus+, COST, EU Structural Funds, Intelligent Energy Europe, FMO/EEA and others, covering sustainable construction, cultural heritage, digitalisation, energy efficiency, educational innovation and urban development
