At this year’s Long Night of Research 2026, Austria’s largest public event for science and innovation, AI Factory Austria AI:AT presented a series of interactive demonstrations on artificial intelligence, high-performance computing (HPC) and robotics. The aim was not only to showcase current technologies, but also to make them understandable and tangible for a wide audience.
Mini supercomputer Crunchy
The main character of the night and a true eye catcher was Crunchy – a mini supercomputer designed to illustrate the basic principles of high-performance computing. Built from 16 Raspberry Pi units and equipped with LED indicators, the system demonstrates how multiple smaller computers can be combined to process tasks in parallel.
When idle, the system displays green lights. As computations begin, individual nodes turn red, indicating active processing. This visualisation provides a direct representation of parallel computation, allowing visitors to observe how workloads are distributed across multiple units.n.
A robot that draws your portrait
Connected to Crunchy was a robotic arm used to produce line drawings of visitors’ portraits, based on a multi-step processing pipeline.
A small Raspberry Pi camera took a photo. It was then segmented locally with AI using computer vision methods. The processed data was sent to the European supercomputer LUMI, where a diffusion model transformed the image into a structured line graph. After that, the image was simplified and converted into machine instructions, enabling the robot to physically draw the portrait in fine lines.
For visitors, this was a fun opportunity to see a whole automated workflow of data processing and output, and made the connection between AI and real-world applications tangible.
From simple sketches to full paintings
Another interactive part was AI-assisted image generation. Using a tablet, visitors created simple sketches, which were then transformed into more detailed digital images within seconds.
This setup demonstrated how AI can be a supportive tool in creative processes and encouraged experimentation – very much appreciated by kids and adults. Rather than replacing user input, the system builds on initial ideas, extending them through learned representations. Many participants used the opportunity to iterate on their drawings and explore different variations.
Storytelling in real time with Nukuki Live
A further highlight, especially for younger audiences, was the interactive storytelling application Nukuki Live, presented by AI:AT coworking member Peter Riegler.
With a short prompt, visitors could generate complete stories in real time, combining audio, text, and visual elements. Designed with children in mind and as an alternative to passive screen time, the demonstration quickly drew families and groups of children who eagerly tested different ideas.
The resulting stories ranged from simple narratives to more imaginative scenarios involving animals, wizards, and entirely new characters. By not relying on copyrighted material, the system encouraged users to explore their own ideas rather than reproduce familiar ones.
Teamwork and collaboration
Just as a supercomputer gains its capabilities through the integration of many interconnected components, the AI:AT presence at the Long Night of Research was the result of collaboration between multiple partners.
The robotic arm was kindly lent to the team by the legal tech startup AI:ssociate. The mini supercomputer Crunchy was built by Simeon Harrison and programmed together with Martin Pfister on behalf of the HPC Competence Center EuroCC Austria in 2024. Since then, it has been used to explain high-performance computing at events like LNF and is now shared between EuroCC Austria, AI Factory Austria, and the Austrian Scientific Computing (ASC) Research Center at TU Wien.
Integrating the individual components into a stable, functioning system required iterative development. Challenges included processing low-resolution images into consistent line structures and ensuring reliable communication across the different stages of the pipeline. The implementation was supported by David Abbassi, Yannik Gäbel and Mihai Cata from the AI:AT team.
Celebrating curiosity, knowledge and technical know-how
Long Night of Research 2026 was a success, with around 192,000 visitors across Austria. The AI:AT stand at Maria-Theresien-Platz in Vienna attracted a steady flow of visitors, adults and children alike, all driven by curiosity and a willingness to explore something new.
AI:AT HPC and AI experts and developers were present throughout the event, providing explanations and engaging directly with visitors. Questions led to conversations, and conversations often led to further exploration. For some, it was a first introduction to AI and HPC. For others, it offered a new perspective on technologies they had previously only encountered in theory.
Events like the Long Night of Research create space for this kind of informal and fun exchange. They bring research closer to the public and show how complex technologies can become accessible when people have the opportunity to experience them directly.
AI Factory Austria AI:AT would like to thank everyone who joined, contributed, and helped create an open and welcoming environment throughout the evening.
