Exploratory behavior is at the core of what it means to be human. Being confronted with novel terrain, materials, tools, or artistic creations, humans instinctively explore the unknown in order to acquire information about it, to make sense of it, to act on it, and to appreciate what is in front of them. This involves dynamic engagement like walking, observing, handling objects, and manipulating them to witness changes in sight, touch, or sound. The relationship between perceptual experiences and the dynamic structures of the multi-sensorial information generated by active exploration is complex and still not well understood. Through a cross-sectoral, multi-disciplinary research and training programme, EXPLORA aims to uncover links between perceptual impacts and active exploration systematically, quantitatively, and empirically. We will create impact through transfer between science, engineering, design, arts and industry and by connecting multiple levels of STEAM education from middle schools to doctoral education. Understanding active exploration has the potential to advance the development of multi-sensory interactive technologies and the innovative design of immersive systems, as well as the modeling of intelligent adaptive behavior, thereby affecting nearly every facet of our life, including healthcare, education, mobility, AI, robotics and culture. Check out our consortium, projects, and the EXPLORAkits!

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-7-2025-