Bringing AI to Life

Project scope

MBZUAI’s primary goal was to enhance the visibility of their cutting-edge AI research and departments to a global audience. To do so, they made a bold statement with a Data Observatory to welcome visitors. The scalable design of the Data Observatory enables future applications in motion capture and teleportation between video walls.

Additionally, the project was to lay the groundwork for a forward-thinking facility designed to advance faculty and student research capabilities. A key objective was also to showcase MBZUAI’s research to VIPs and delegates during the COP28 conference in Dubai.

Delivered Solutions

AVI-SPL executed the cutting-edge installation by delivering a bespoke 270-degree video wall utilizing Absen PL2.5 Pro V10 panels. To support the high-tech demands, AVI-SPL assembled one custom-built PC, powered by the latest RTX 6000ADA GPUs. This setup was designed to handle the sophisticated real-time content developed in-house by MBZUAI faculty and researchers, ensuring flawless performance and full control over the displayed content.

Achieving the Aim

To achieve the project’s aim, AVI-SPL meticulously planned and installed the 270-degree video wall, ensuring seamless integration with MBZUAI’s technical infrastructure. Our local and global XTG experience technology teams collaborated closely with MBZUAI’s project team to ensure the volume was perfectly tuned to handle real-time content without lag or interruption.

AVI-SPL’s project management team ensured most of the milestones were met on schedule, despite the logistical challenges posed by the space, requiring customization. Additionally, AVI-SPL provided operational and software utilization training to members of the project team, utilizing our industry experts to empower them to efficiently utilize the technology’s capabilities.

The delivery of the 270-degree Data Observatory at MBZUAI represents a significant technical achievement. This innovative setup allows for an immersive display of real-time AI research, facilitating enhanced visual presentations and experiences for visitors and researchers alike. For example, during the COP28 conference, the Data Observatory presented complex AI models and simulations in real time, showcasing MBZUAI’s research capabilities to global leaders and decision-makers. This not only elevated MBZUAI’s profile but also demonstrated the practical applications of their research in real-world scenarios.

Key Challenges

The project requirements were tailored to fit the facility space, which included customizing a video wall with a 7-meter diameter. Achieving a uniform 270-degree curvature within this space required precise engineering. AVI-SPL determined that each panel needed to connect at 10-degree intervals. To accommodate this specification, Absen custom-developed a locking system that allowed for this unique degree of articulation.

Another substantial challenge was the tight timeline, as the entire system needed to be operational before the COP28 conference, giving a narrow window of just two months. Typically, procuring professional LED panels involves lead times of 45 to 60 days or more. Due to AVI-SPL’s strong partnership with Absen, delivery could be expedited significantly. This accelerated delivery enabled completion of custom rigging, mounting, and configuration of the system before the event, ensuring everything was fully functional for COP28.

Conclusion

The completion of the Data Observatory project for MBZUAI stands as a testament to AVI-SPL’s capability to deliver complex, high-tech installations under stringent deadlines and spatial constraints. By providing an immersive platform for showcasing MBZUAI’s AI research, the partnership with AVI-SPL enhanced their ability to engage with a global audience and highlighted the practical applications of their work to key stakeholders.
The project met its ambitious goals and set a new standard for future technological installations at educational and research institutions.

Ariana Bermudez, Project Manager of the Metaverse Center at MBZUAI (first user of the Data Observatory) expressed, “The installation of the 270-degree video wall at our university represents a significant technical milestone, enabling the creation of immersive environments for real-time AI research. This advanced setup enhances interactive experiences for both researchers and visitors, and plays a crucial role in our data acquisition efforts related to human avatars, relighting, and future motion capture initiatives. Collaborating with AVI-SPL has been a positive experience; their team’s expertise in managing complex technical projects ensured the installation was completed efficiently within the tight project deadline.”