This page was translated automatically using artificial intelligence (DeepL). The German version is binding. More information about automatic translation
No, it’s not a spelling mistake – HapDig stands for ‘Haptic-Digital’ and refers to a new research project that has been running at Mittweida University of Applied Sciences since December 2025. With the HapDig project, the Chair of Virtual Technologies at Mittweida University of Applied Sciences (HSMW), led by Professor Philipp Klimant, and the Berlin-based creative agency Faszinaturen UG are launching an exciting feasibility study.
Planning hospitals and care facilities is a complex process – involving many stakeholders, numerous requirements, a wealth of detail, varying levels of prior knowledge and differing levels of technical proficiency. HapDig aims to demonstrate how a haptic-digital planning tool can simplify these processes, enabling architects, planners and operators of hospitals and care homes to work together more efficiently. What requirements regarding content, organisation, design and funding must be met to successfully implement such a tool?
The idea behind it is as creative as it is exciting:
- 3D-printed components such as walls, rooms or furniture are placed on the table.
- A smartphone recognises the components and displays AR information.
- Changes made to the physical model are fed directly back into the digital planning software.
These haptic planning processes, which resemble planning with building blocks, enable everyone to participate easily and new ideas to be introduced quickly. However, efficient planning also requires a digital component in order to utilise the results for cost calculations or virtual walkthroughs. The aim is to combine haptic and digital approaches in such a way that the focus is on the ease of use of haptic planning, whilst at the same time ensuring digital transferability.
In future, live visualisations will also be possible, enabling complex digital representations or process diagrams, such as the route taken by an emergency patient. The aim of the feasibility study is to identify the technical, organisational and societal requirements needed to successfully implement this innovative approach. HSMW is leading the project and is responsible for the position tracking of the 3D-printed models, as well as for the conversion and output of the manipulable layout plans. Both functionalities are to be implemented later in an AR application.
The project will run until November 2026 and is funded by the BMWK’s IGP grant scheme.
