HIVE Lab
Harmony, Interaction, and Versatile Exploration Lab
At HIVE Lab in the Department of Design, IIT Kanpur, we build things that sit at the edge of human experience and technology. We design and develop Human Machine Interfaces across AI, XR, Music, Robotics, Assistive Technology, and New Media — and present our work at CHI, NIME, UIST, and IndiaHCI.
Design, engineer and research Human Machine Interfaces
HCI, Music Technology, XR, AI, Assistive Tech, Robotics
Inclusive, diverse, interdisciplinary hive of researchers
Research Domains
We work across eight interconnected areas of human-machine interaction.
Human Computer / Machine Interaction
Novel interaction paradigms for digital and physical products — multimodal, gesture-based, and embodied interfaces.
Music Technology & Sound Design
Expressive musical instruments, new interfaces for musical expression, wearable controllers, and multisensory performance systems.
XR / Spatial Computing
Augmented, Virtual, and Mixed Reality experiences — immersive storytelling, spatial interaction, and digital twins.
Robotics & HRI
Human-robot interaction for social bots, office bots, kinetic sculptures, and autonomous navigation systems.
Assistive & Accessible Technology
Eye-tracking AAC systems, accessible XR interfaces, wearable aids, and inclusive design for people with disabilities.
AI & Generative Media
AI-driven generative visuals, diffusion models, multimodal AI systems, and human-AI co-creation for art and design.
New Media & Interactive Arts
Immersive installations, interactive art, speculative design, and generative systems that explore technology's impact on society.
Automotive UI
Multimodal interaction and haptic alert systems for drivers — distraction, cognitive load, and in-vehicle interface design.
Latest
Recent Highlights
Publications, patents, exhibitions, and milestones from the HIVE Lab.
View Research →Featured Projects
HMI Horizon 2025
Annual showcase of interactive installations, immersive systems, XR experiences, sonic interfaces, robotics, and speculative design by HMI students and the HIVE Lab.
Watch ↗Music Technology at HIVE
A compilation of music technology projects — from tangible NIME interfaces and wearable controllers to generative AI visualisers and multisensory performance systems.
View all projectsRed Mushrooms
An interactive arts installation presented at Design Foresight — a speculative design project exploring future human-environment interaction.
Watch ↗Echo Vision — Fashion Technology
Talk to the system about your design intent, sketch a rough draft, and see the AI-generated design projected directly onto your T-shirt via TouchDesigner and a diffusion model.
Watch ↗VReal-Space VR & Gamification — 3DGS
3D Gaussian Splatting scan of Bitur Temple, Kanpur — rendered into an immersive VR environment with spawnable interactive elements, tactical cover positions, and real-time spatial interaction. Explores gamification and training simulation using real-world photometric scans.
Watch ↗Eye-Tracking AAC for ICU Patients
Gaze-based Augmentative and Alternative Communication system for tracheostomized ICU patients — enabling communication with minimal motor control via dwell-based icon selection.
Watch ↗People
Meet the Team
A diverse, inclusive hive of designers, engineers, musicians, and artists — working at the intersection of technology and human experience.
Meet Everyone →
