Spatial AI-Augmented Reality Lab
Intrigued by immersive experiences, interactive installations and generative AI workflows?
SAIARlab is the research lab of Devine — Digital Design & Development at Howest. We explore interactive immersive experiences and generative workflows, without losing the human touch.
Our mission
Where technology, creativity and experience design meet.
The Spatial AI-Augmented Reality Lab (SAIARlab) is the research lab of Digital Design & Development (Devine). The lab brings together researchers, designers and creative technologists, operating at the crossroads of technology, creativity and experience design.
SAIARlab’s mission is to support companies and cultural organisations in adopting state-of-the-art immersive technologies and workflows. The lab explores how generative AI can support creative processes without losing the human touch, and how immersive and interactive experiences can be created through projection mapping and the integration of real-time sensor data. To make these technologies more accessible, SAIARlab operates a mobile and modular infrastructure that enables rapid prototyping of interactive projection mapping installations, where movement, sound and environmental data can be used as input for dynamic, AI-generated visual content in real time.
Have a specific challenge in mind? Want to transform your festival, cultural event, or elevate your brand experience? Get in touch.
What we do
Integrating generative AI into projection mapping workflows for creative agencies and businesses.
We enable Flemish creative (production) agencies to integrate generative AI into their workflows for immersive experiences — projection mapping at festivals, interactive installations in retail and museums, and more.
The project delivers methods, tooling, and exemplars to reduce complexity and production time, lowering client costs and improving agency margins while accelerating AI-based immersive concepts.
Why it matters
Why the lab exists.
Demand is rising as the experience economy shifts value from products to experiences; immersive work boosts brand recognition, city marketing, and purchase intent.
Yet high development costs and an AI knowledge gap within agencies hinder adoption, causing underestimation of AI’s value and missed opportunities for innovative, interactive, generative experiences. Integrating AI addresses these barriers and strengthens (inter)national competitiveness.
“SAIARlab explores interactive immersive experiences and generative workflows — without losing the human touch.”
From the lab
Latest from the blog.
Notes, experiments and project write-ups from the SAIARlab team.
Case Study
10 Years of DAFT: Field Testing Our Interactive Mobile Projection Mapping Unit
DAFT 10 YearsWhen DAFT Studios celebrated their 10th anniversary, they wanted the party to spill outside. The brief was simple in spirit: ta...
June 8, 2026
AI Workflow, Interactivity, Case Study
Building Generative AI Powered Plotter
Table of contentsIntroductionBackground separationLive Webcam CroppingCustom ComfyUI Pen Plotter NodesWrapping up SAIAR lab is the research...
December 18, 2025
State of the Industry
Why node-based software is winning in the age of AI
Why node-based software is winning in the age of AIThe Rise of Node-based ThinkingSomething fascinating is happening across creative and te...
December 3, 2025
What we offer
Hands-on workshops.
Practical sessions exploring generative AI across the creative pipeline — from image and motion generation to interactive, real-time and projection-mapped experiences.
W1
Generative AI for Entertainment
In this workshop, participants will learn how to apply node-based thinking into generative AI workflows. We start in accessible, browser-bas...
TETRA SAIAR
W2
Generative AI for Motion
Exploring a range of approaches to producing animated content with AI: from fully AI-generated animations to more controlled, human-directed...
TETRA SAIAR
W3
Generative AI & Your Own Intellectual Property
Explore how to work with your own intellectual property in generative AI for images and video. This workshop focusses on getting consistent...
TETRA SAIAR
Get involved
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Connect with like-minded creatives, share workflows and stay close to the latest from the lab.
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