SALKTurbo-project ‘XR-House’ improves innovation by Extended Reality
SALKTurbo-project ‘XR-House’ improves innovation by Extended Reality
Helping companies to increase their innovation and competitiveness by using XR-technology. That is the goal of the SALKTurbo project XR-Huis, which combines the expertise on eXtended-Reality of all knowledge institutions in Limburg. The project has a total budget of 2.3 million euros, of which 823,000 euros come from the Province of Limburg. The XR-House will be expanded as a one-stop shop where companies can go for various digital questions. This way we ensure a fast application of XR-technology in the business world and we stimulate the economic growth in our province," says Tom Vandeput, Limburg Commissioner for Economy.
XR-TECHNOLOGY
XR-technology is the broad umbrella term for everything that has to do with digitally expanding the real world. "Think of sensors, wearables and Virtual Reality, Mixed Reality and Augmented Reality where the world you see with your own eyes is combined with virtual aspects," says FlandersMake@UHasselt professor Dr Fabian Di Fiore, coordinator of the XR-House.
Improving production processes
For many companies in the manufacturing industry, construction, care, logistics, biotech and agro-food industry, XR technology can mean a great deal of added value in their production process and in the training of their employees. The XR-House will be the knowledge centre where they can discover the possibilities through numerous Proof-of-Concepts and demonstrations. "In addition, we focus on training through events, workshops, training courses and summer schools, and in co-creation with companies we want to support and develop new applications within eXtended Reality that can then be applied on the shop floor," says Fabian Di Fiore.
All of Limburg's knowledge institutions are involved
The XR-House is a project of FlandersMake@UHasselt (Expertise Centre Digital Media (EDM) of Hasselt University and Flanders Make), PXL Research/PXL Digital, the Experience Lab of UCLL, the research unit Inter-Actions of LUCA School of Arts and the Creative Limburg Innovation Platform of POM Limburg.
Commissioner Tom Vandeput: "In the new XR-House the knowledge and expertise of the knowledge institutions of Limburg will be bundled. Investments are being made in new technological equipment. Such investments are too expensive for each knowledge institution individually. By cooperating, an up-to-date research and experimentation space becomes feasible. Researchers, professors, teachers and students can work here to develop and test new digital applications. Student entrepreneurs are also welcome here. Digital know-how, expertise and start-ups are thus anchored in Limburg.
XR ecosystem
For the time being, the XR-House will be housed in the building of FlandersMake@UHasselt at the Science Park. In a few years time, it will be integrated in the Bouwcampus 2.0 on the campus in Diepenbeek. "After Boost Bouw Limburg, a collaboration between POM and the Confederation of Constructionists of Limburg, this is the 2nd project that will be integrated into the new Bouwcampus. We are already investing in the development of an XR-eco system in order to speed up the translation of research results to the business world and to stimulate digital innovations through co-creation between knowledge institutions and companies. This will give a boost to Limburg's digital transition", concludes Commissioner Tom Vandeput. Investments are being made in new technological equipment. Such investments are too expensive for each knowledge institution individually. By cooperating, an up-to-date research and experimentation space becomes feasible. Researchers, professors, teachers and students can work here to develop and test new digital applications. Student entrepreneurs are also welcome here. Digital know-how, expertise and start-ups are thus anchored in Limburg.