‘Best Presentation Award’ at UbiComp/ISWC 2026

A virtual Japanese garden that responds to your breathing and heart rate. Through the InnerGarden project, the Digital Life research group is investigating how technology can contribute to relaxation and stress reduction. The project recently won the ‘Best Presentation’ certificate at the international UbiComp/ISWC Conference in Shanghai.

Relaxing in nature

Imagine stepping into a peaceful Japanese garden in virtual reality, one that responds to your body. In InnerGarden, a soft ring of light grows and shrinks with your breath, the garden blooms as you relax, and the breeze follows your breathing rhythm while the sky slowly shifts from sunrise to sunset. Instead of watching numbers or charts, you simply feel calm taking shape around you.

Connection between research and education

Under the supervision of Associate Lecturer Bin Yu (Digital Life), two students from Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (DMCI Faculty) contributed to the project, resulting in a unique and successful VR experience: Manuela Conte from the Communication and Multimedia Design (CMD) programme, where she is studying for a Master’s in Digital Design, and Khalid Taachirt from the ICT programme. Manuela helped to carry out the user research and analyse the participants’ experiences. Khalid assisted with building and implementing the system. Somaya Ben Allouch, a lecturer at Digital Life, was also involved in the project. This collaboration demonstrates that drawing on a diverse range of expertise genuinely contributes to successful, cutting-edge research.