Our goal is the design and development of technological tools and methodology for the creation and presentation of interactive content for visitors to cultural spaces, with a particular emphasis on traditional settlements, through the adoption of the innovative methodology of experience reconstruction and the use of cutting-edge technologies, specifically 3D sound.
To achieve the Echoes project’s objectives, the Athena Research Center collaborates with MENTOR, a company specialising in cultural production and management, and Rabbeats, a company active in music production and audio post-production for advertising.
Athena Research and Innovation Information Technologies
The Institute of Speech Processing (https://www.ilsp.gr/) is one of the Institutes of the Research Centre for Innovation in Information, Communication and Knowledge Technologies “Athena” (https://www.athenarc.gr/), which operates under the auspices of the General Secretariat for Research and Innovation of the Ministry of Development and Investment.
The ILSP is a leading research and development organisation and a centre of excellence in basic and applied research in the field of Language and Cultural Technologies. Its activities cover a broad spectrum ranging from linguistic analysis to signal processing.
The main research areas in which it is active are:
– Digital Cultural Collections
– Digital Archaeology
– Museum Technology
– Cultural Information Technology Cultural Archaeology
– Material Study and Characterisation
– Analytical and Computational Measurement Methods
– Creation of Cultural Content and Archives/Repositories
– 3D Digitisation of Objects and Sites
– Language Development and Evaluation
– Inherent Language Processing
– Multilingual Content Processing
– Multimedia Processing
– Natural Language Processing
– Voice and Music Technology
– Sign Language Technologies
– Technology-Assisted Language Learning
The ILSP has successfully participated in more than 150 national, regional and European R&D projects and has collaborated with renowned academic institutions, research centres, cultural organisations and businesses. Indicative examples of these projects are the following: OpenAIRE, OpenAIRE2020, Emotive, WhoLoDancE, CHESS, EFG1914, eCultValue, DYAS /DARIAH-GR, 3DIcons, ARIADNE, ARIADNEplus, CARARE, SEADDA, COSCH, PRESIOUS, 3DOR Digitization and promotion of the National Theatre archive, APTOS, myEleusis, ProsEleusis, AtticPOT, ARENA, Mythotopia, Voeska, Interactive Multimedia Applications at the Archaeological Museum of Arta and Infokiosks in the city of Arta, Electronic Thesaurus of Eastern Macedonia-Thrace, Nautilus, CanTi, EYRYNOMI, GameIt, CORECT etc. ά. This activity was part of a wider European and national effort aimed at digitisation, contribution to digital culture and the wide availability of a significant amount of Greek cultural content through digital tools and technologies.
The ILSP also has a significant development activity, as documented by its achievements. The FSF has extensive experience in all stages of digitization, namely the design of processes, cataloguing and selection of material to be digitized, preparatory work, management of prototypes, 2D & 3D digitization, storage as well as semantic web issues such as metadata identification and standardization and control of documentation processes and implementation of online collections. In addition, he has extensive experience in digital cultural repositories, virtual exhibitions and museums, as well as serious games oriented to the field of culture and aimed at familiarizing the general public with the cultural heritage. In this context, the educational role in many of the applications developed by the ILSP is important, aiming at their use by schools and the educational community in general.
Finally, an important place in the list of research results of the FSF is occupied by a story writing tool, useful for archaeologists, tour guides and museum curators for the creation of digital storytelling in archaeological sites, monuments and museums. It was developed and first evaluated in the Archaic Acropolis Hall at the New Acropolis Museum and at the Cite de l’espace open museum in France. Subsequently, it was adopted in the context of research activities by the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, the University of Athens History Museum, the archaeological site of Çatalhöyük, Elefsina and the Hunterian Museum.
The ILSP is an attraction not only for highly qualified scientists and students wishing to work in the convergence of linguistics, cognitive science and computer science, but also for Greek and European companies active in the field of language and information technology. The experience of its researchers, its close relationship with foreign research organisations and its developmental orientation are the ingredients that make up its unique profile both nationally and internationally.
The ILSP is active in various educational activities. In cooperation with Greek and foreign universities, it has participated in a (postgraduate and doctoral) specialization program in Language Technology, acting as a driving force for sustainable development and strengthening domestic competitiveness.
The ILSP is an ISO 9001:2000 certified organization in project management, software development and educational applications development.
The Institute of Language and Speech Processing (ILSP), part of the Research Centre for Innovation in Information, Communication, and Knowledge Technologies “Athena,” operates under the supervision of the General Secretariat for Research and Innovation of the Ministry of Development and Investment. ILSP is recognized as a leading research and development organisation and a centre of excellence for both fundamental and applied research in the field of Language and Cultural Technologies. Its research activities encompass a wide range of areas, spanning from linguistic analysis to signal processing.
ILSP focuses on various research domains, including Digital Cultural Collections, Digital Archaeology, Museum Technology, Cultural Information Technology, Cultural Archaeology, Material Study and Characterization, Analytical and Computational Measurement Methods, Creation of Cultural Content and Archives/Repositories, 3D Digitization of Objects and Sites, Language Development and Evaluation, Inherent Language Processing, Multilingual Content Processing, Multimedia Processing, Natural Language Processing, Voice and Music Technology, Sign Language Technologies, and Technology-Assisted Language Learning.
The ILSP has successfully engaged in over 150 national, regional, and European research and development projects, collaborating with prestigious academic institutions, research centres, cultural organisations, and businesses. Some notable examples of these projects include OpenAIRE, OpenAIRE2020, Emotive, WhoLoDancE, CHESS, EFG1914, eCultValue, DYAS/DARIAH-GR, 3DIcons, ARIADNE, ARIADNEplus, CARARE, SEADDA, COSCH, PRESIOUS, 3DOR Digitization and promotion of the National Theatre archive, APTOS, myEleusis, ProsEleusis, AtticPOT, ARENA, Mythotopia, Voeska, Interactive Multimedia Applications at the Archaeological Museum of Arta and Infokiosks in the city of Arta, Electronic Thesaurus of Eastern Macedonia-Thrace, Nautilus, CanTi, EYRYNOMI, GameIt, CORECT, and more. This extensive involvement is part of a broader European and national effort aimed at digitization, contributing to digital culture, and making a significant amount of Greek cultural content widely available through digital tools and technologies.
The ILSP is also significantly involved in development activities, as evidenced by its accomplishments. It has extensive expertise in all stages of digitization, including process design, cataloguing, material selection for digitization, preparatory work, prototype management, 2D and 3D digitization, storage, and semantic web issues such as metadata identification, standardisation, documentation control, and online collection implementation. Additionally, the ILSP has vast experience in digital cultural repositories, virtual exhibitions and museums, as well as serious games focused on cultural heritage to engage the general public. Many of the applications developed by the ILSP have an educational role, intended for use by schools and the educational community at large.
One notable research result of the ILSP is a story writing tool designed for archaeologists, tour guides, and museum curators to create digital storytelling experiences in archaeological sites, monuments, and museums. It was initially developed and evaluated at the Archaic Acropolis Hall in the New Acropolis Museum and the Cite de l’espace open museum in France. Subsequently, it was adopted for research activities by the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, the University of Athens History Museum, the archaeological site of Çatalhöyük, Elefsina, and the Hunterian Museum.
The ILSP attracts highly qualified scientists and students interested in the convergence of linguistics, cognitive science, and computer science. It is also sought after by Greek and European companies operating in the language and information technology field. The experience of its researchers, close collaboration with foreign research organisations, and its focus on development contribute to its distinctive national and international profile.
Moreover, the ILSP is actively involved in various educational activities. It has collaborated with Greek and foreign universities on a specialised (postgraduate and doctoral) program in Language Technology, serving as a driving force for sustainable development and enhancing domestic competitiveness.
Lastly, the ILSP is ISO 9001:2000 certified in project management, software development, and educational applications development.
MENTOR
Since 2014, MENTOR has been providing innovative cultural management and communication services, investing in the development of synergies and the cultivation of a consultative and trusting relationship with public and private institutions and professionals in the cultural and creative sector, as well as with the academic and research community at national and international level. It plans, coordinates, implements and supports cultural, artistic and research projects that focus on: sustainable development through the promotion and exploitation of the intangible and material cultural heritage and contemporary artistic creation; the fundamental right of participation in culture; public space; new technologies; extroversion; participatory processes; and the perpetual relationship between culture, art and society.
RABBEATS
Rabbeats was founded in 2015 by Stratos Diamantis and Kyriakos Moustakas, two music producers with 25 years of experience each in the music industry.
Today, together with their team, they have already created music for a large number of TV spots. They are experienced creators, with extensive experience in the following areas:
– Original music composition
– Music Editing
– Sonic Branding
– Music Publishing
– Licensing
– Production Music
– Sound Design
– Audio Post Production
Production of audio content to enhance the cultural experience and the creation of 3D sound are between Rabbeats’ research interests. Already from its first 3 years of operation, Rabbeats is considered as one of the best companies in Greece in its field, serving clients in many countries. It has been awarded several times at the Ermis Awards, in the categories of Best Original Music, Best Music Cover and Best Sound Design, winning the following awards:
– 1 Grand Ermis
– 4 Gold Ermis
– 15 Silver Ermis
– 4 Bronze Ermis.
Rabbeats was established in 2015 by Stratos Diamantis and Kyriakos Moustakas, two highly experienced music producers with 25 years of individual experience in the music industry. Presently, along with their team, they have successfully composed music for numerous TV commercials. Their expertise covers various domains, including original music composition, music editing, sonic branding, music publishing, licensing, production music, sound design, and audio post-production. Rabbeats is actively involved in the production of audio content aimed at enhancing cultural experiences, as well as the creation of 3D sound, which aligns with their research interests. Within its first three years of operation, Rabbeats has earned recognition as one of Greece’s leading companies in its field, serving clients across multiple countries. The company has received multiple accolades at the Ermis Awards, including the esteemed Grand Ermis award, along with four Gold Ermis, fifteen Silver Ermis, and four Bronze Ermis awards. These awards recognize their excellence in categories such as Best Original Music, Best Music Cover, and Best Sound Design.