Kosmos

Language you can touch

WebXR Data Visualization Vue.js

Problem

Is there a way to experience language from a new perspective? And what potential does virtual reality offer for immersive data visualizations?

Solution

A WebXR application developed together with Felix Tesche. Kosmos enables users to explore the German language within word networks and discover conceptual relationships. It also provides technical insight into web-based virtual reality applications.

Concept

Thematically, this project focuses on the connections between words in the German language.

Spatial distance between words is used to visualize how frequently they are used together. The closer two words appear in space, the more often they occur jointly. This creates a three-dimensional word network that can be explored using virtual reality.
Some word pairs co-occur so frequently that they mutually define each other. In the visualization, this results in clusters that strongly resemble star systems in space.

This is where the name “Kosmos” stems from. It refers to the visual analogy between the cosmos and our word network.

Kosmos visualization of the German word network with clusters of connected words

Implementation

Once enough data was gathered, we built the web app using Vue.js and Three.js.

The final application is web-based and can be used on both desktop and mobile in any browser. The full user experience unfolds when accessed through a VR headset.

The journey begins on the start page. By clicking an “Explore” button, users are taken to the word Kosmos.
Starting from there users can navigate the word network of the German language and gain new perspectives on the conceptual relationships between individual words.

Kosmos start page in the browser with the title and 3D star shapes

Kosmos word network around the word “Kosmos”

Kosmos word network focused on the word “ganz”

Kosmos word network with the words “Reihe”, “Grund” and “ganz”

Kosmos word network focused on the word “Reihe”

Exploring the Kosmos word network in virtual reality with VR controllers

In 2025, Kosmos was mentioned in the TEDx Talk by Prof. Boris Müller.

Outlook

The concept could be further developed with additional layers of information or other languages. Supplementary knowledge and context would increase long-term motivation and encourage further exploration by users.

Kosmos also presents a new approach to the medium of dictionaries. The app offers a exploratory gateway to investigate and discover language.

At the same time Kosmos demonstrates the possibilities of digital 3D environments and the crucial role of XR technologies in that development.

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