dock10 has appointed Dr Florian Block to the new role of R&D lead, AI and immersive.
He will work alongside the facility’s head of production innovation Richard Wormwell, to develop dock10’s R&D strategy, delivering custom solutions for multi-camera virtual production, building key relationships with academic centres and expanding the studio’s capabilities in immersive and interactive content, said dock10.
Block has a PhD in Human Computer Interaction from Lancaster University; and spent five years as a research associate at Harvard University’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, where he designed and built interactive learning experiences for museums.
At the University of York, he was R&D director for a flagship UKRI demonstrator project, that focused on AI-driven sports analysis. The project brought together organisations, such as dock10 and ESL UK, to build a tech platform that was designed to provide ‘viewers’ with live in-game data and story narratives that accelerated engagement and dwell times.
Speaking about his appointment, Dr Florian Block said: “I am passionate about taking the latest research and innovation in AI and immersive technology and applying them to real-world environments, in entertainment and education, exploring new ways for audiences to engage, learn, and communicate, and to enjoy themselves. I’m delighted to be working with the team at dock10 to help them deliver ground-breaking virtual, and interactive, content for audiences in the UK and worldwide.”
Richard Wormwell, dock10 head of production innovation, added: “At dock10, we’re having conversations with production companies at much earlier stage, they want their shows to be more immersive, to include interactive elements and to look very different to heritage studio programmes.
“Florian’s appointment is hugely exciting. His expertise will not only help us further develop the tools and techniques required to deliver ground-breaking content but will also expand the limits of what’s currently possible, keeping us at the forefront of virtual production and strengthening dock10’s reputation even further.”
