Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences juniors’ international achievement

"Experiencing Ancient Ephesus: A Journey Through Time with 3D, XR and AI" project, carried out by a team of seven third-year students from the Departments of Electrical and Electronics Engineering and Computer Engineering, was successfully presented by faculty student Arda Güler at the Annual International Conference on History & Archaeology: From Ancient to Modern, held in Athens on 3-6 June.

The project was developed by students Arda Güler, Alp Kayra Dağıstanlı, Arif Emre Sevil, Ceren Özcan, Mert Kaytaz, Serkan Kahraman, Yiğit Bozkurt.

About the Project:

The primary objective of this project derives from the desire to travel back in time to the ancient city of Ephesus, which has largely lost its former luster, and to experience it as it was in its brightest days in the 2nd -3rd centuries. A new virtual and immersive experience has been created using the capabilities of 3D reconstruction (3D), extended reality (XR) and artificial intelligence (AI). This project has been a merger of history with modernity. This time travel to the past was made possible by combining historical information with cutting-edge technologies. An extensive study, including an analysis and comparison of existing technologies as well as a comprehensive review of historical and archaeological information, was critical to the fateful and compelling recreation and experience of ancient Ephesus. The Roman landmark buildings were digitally reconstructed and restored to their original state using various sources. The 3D virtual Ephesus experience, augmented with Animation, Gaming, and AI, creates an immersive experience for visitors, enhancing interaction with the historical district and ancient Ephesians' avatars.

The project created an immersive journey to Ephesus, featuring notable structures like the Harbor Gate, Grand Theater, Celsus Library, and Agora, providing unprecedented levels of presence and immersion.