IIT Madras XTIC To Launch National Academic Partnership to Accelerate XR Research Across India

IIT Madras’s XTIC is launching the ‘XTIC-APP’ (Academic Partnership Program) to boost India's eXtended Reality (XR) sector, fostering XR developers and designers for the global market. Check details here

IIT Madras XTIC To Launch National Academic Partnership

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras’ eXperiential Technology Innovation Centre (XTIC), an Institute of Eminence Centre focused on Virtual Reality and related fields, will launch the ‘XTIC-APP’ (Academic Partnership Program) to advance India’s eXtended Reality (XR) sector. Vice Chancellors and Principals from top academic institutions will sign the MoU at the XR Summit, set for November 16 and 17, 2024, at the IIT Madras campus.

A primary goal is to cultivate highly skilled XR developers and designers in India for the global market. This initiative aims to strengthen the XR field by bridging Applied and Core R&D, supporting the start-up ecosystem, and paving the way for global expansion of XR courses. ‘eXtended Reality’ (XR) refers to Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Mixed Reality (MR).

Highlighting the significance of this Summit, Prof. M. Manivannan, Faculty Head, XTIC, IIT Madras, said, “As we published in the Whitepaper on XR In India earlier this year, in order to realize the goal of India establishing an XR Corridor by 2047, we must get academia on board to produce manpower resources of highquality XR system designers and developers, both hardware and software, both applied R&D and core R&D. This XR Summit focussing on Innovations in XR is a critical step towards this Vikshit Bharat 2047.”

IIT Madras XR Summit 2024

The XR Summit will also debut the first-ever ‘Game Jam’ on XR Readiness, showcasing the evolution of XR technology with displays of XR devices and gamified metrics that demonstrate its industry-wide adoption. Highlights will include innovations in XR hardware, software, embodiment, and immersive design, with participation from gamification experts. This summit aims to propel XR sector growth at IIT Madras and establish a pathway for high-quality XR content and design startups in India.

Objectives of the XR Summit include creating a Roadmap for XR Corridor in India:

• Integrating AI/ML and Gaming with XR to create personalized, responsive, and intelligent experiences. Generative AI will support realistic virtual environments, improve object recognition, and enhance gesture and voice control.
• Collaborating with international standards organizations to develop interoperability standards, APIs, and software solutions, ensuring XTIC’s compatibility with diverse industry devices.
• Building a global network of high-quality content creators and developers through CAVE, our industrial consortium, to expand XTIC’s library of applications, games, and experiences.
• Engaging global industry leaders at multiple levels - sponsorship by Qualcomm, participation from Sony, and workshops led by Samsung.

The XR Summit will also present the XR Startup Awards, with awards given by Steve LaValle, American computer scientist and co-inventor of the Oculus VR set. The XR Startup Awards celebrate and empower pioneering startups that are redefining the industry and shaping a brighter future. Awards will be presented in the following categories:

• List of Top 10 XR Startups
• Awards for International XR Startups
• XR for Social Impact Award
• Best XR Collaboration Award
• XR Startup of the Year
• Best Enterprise XR Solution Award
• XR Design Excellence Award
• XR Education & Training Award
• Best Use of AR in Marketing Award
• XR Sustainability Award

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