Christian Doppler Laboratory unites Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing in Salzburg

At the University of Salzburg, a new Christian Doppler Laboratory for the Authentication of Persons and Object Surfaces has been opened. Under the direction of Univ.-Prof. Andreas Uhl, the team at the Department of Artificial Intelligence and Human Interfaces will conduct research over the next seven years on technologies that redefine everyday security – from the biometric identification of individuals to the detection of counterfeit products based on their microscopic surface structures.

Using cutting-edge artificial intelligence and digital image processing, the lab develops methods with major applications in both industry and consumer protection. The laboratory is supported by the Salzburg-based companies SKIDATA and Gofore (formerly E-Mundo), which contribute their expertise in access systems, software development, and security.

Linking research and application

Andreas Uhl explains that the lab aims to develop methods that make security more efficient and practical for everyday use – for instance, through facial recognition at large events or by enabling consumers to verify the authenticity of products via smartphone. Research, he emphasizes, becomes truly valuable when it leads to real-world applications and tangible solutions for society.

The University of Salzburg also celebrates this achievement. Vice-Rector for Research Jutta Horejs-Höck highlights that the establishment of the eighth Christian Doppler Laboratory is an important step for the university’s research profile. The lab’s work will benefit both consumers and companies – especially in the areas of security and efficiency.

WISS strategy as a foundation for innovation

“The new Christian Doppler Laboratory clearly demonstrates how research can make our everyday lives safer – and how closely science and business collaborate in Salzburg,” says Provincial Minister for Science Daniela Gutschi. “The State of Salzburg deliberately supports such initiatives through co-financing, fostering collaborations that strengthen our region of knowledge and innovation in the long term.”

Cooperation as the key to success

Close collaboration between research and industry is a core element of the Christian Doppler model. These laboratories conduct application-oriented basic research, combining scientific excellence with economic relevance. This approach ensures that solutions quickly reach both the market and society.

Walter Haas, Managing Director of Innovation Salzburg, emphasizes the added value: “Especially in fields like artificial intelligence or security, knowledge transfer between research and industry is crucial. Projects like this show that excellence and practical relevance can go hand in hand. Christian Doppler Laboratories and Josef Ressel Centers are ideal instruments for implementing the goals of the Science and Innovation Strategy (WISS). That’s why we actively support the preparation of such projects.”

The new Christian Doppler Laboratory is already the eighth at the University of Salzburg and marks another milestone for science and business in the region. It underscores that, through its clear strategic focus within the WISS, Salzburg provides the right conditions to transform knowledge into innovation – and thus to actively shape the future.