New Augmented and Virtual Reality Centre - also for SMEs

Whether in industry, education or architecture: Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are being used in more and more sectors. Nevertheless, many SMEs or (vocational) schools are still unsure about the added value these technologies offer and whether the corresponding investments are worthwhile. The new Immersive Realities Center (IRC) at the Department of Computer Science at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Zug-Rotkreuz offers them support.

Realizing projects together

"With the centre, the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts provides a low-threshold offer for companies and educational institutions from the region," says Stephanie Werder, IRC co-director ad interim. "Here they can learn about AR and VR, get advice from members of our Immersive Realities Research Lab team and implement projects together." Such projects include virtual training environments where SME employees learn new workflows on complex machines in a safe environment.

IRC co-director Antonio Russo also sees great potential for the use of AR and VR in schools and vocational colleges. The functioning of human organs or complex processes such as electrical circuits can be taught in a more vivid and lively way than with conventional learning materials: "The two technologies offer users a new form of interaction. For example, when objects can be viewed from all sides through VR glasses and are close enough to touch, it's not only a different experience, but also fun.

What does the new IRC offer?

The offer of the Immersive Realities Center at a glance:

• Showroom and Interaction Space: Visitors will have access to a wide range of available AR and VR infrastructure and tools to familiarize themselves with the technologies.
• Projects and consulting: SMEs can realise their projects together with staff from the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts and use the infrastructure of the Immersive Realities Center.
• Education and training: The center offers public, semi-public and in-house training in the field of AR and VR. There is also close cooperation with vocational schools in the Central Switzerland region. Already was a first training project with the Gewerblich-industriellen Bildungszentrum Zug (GIBZ).
• Networking: The Immersive Realities Center is a meeting place and networking hub for people interested in AR and VR.

Source: HSLU

New major field of study

Augmented and virtual reality are also being given greater weight in education at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts: in the autumn semester of 2021, the Augmented & Virtual Reality Major will start at the Department of Computer Science. As part of the Bachelor's programme in Computer Science, students can attend eight focus and extension modules, in which, among other things, the technical fundamentals of AR and VR as well as user guidance in virtual environments are taught. The practical part of the training takes place in specially equipped rooms of the Immersive Realities Center.

More information about IRC and a video can be found at hslu.ch/immersive-realities-center