IIT Madras launches National Academic Partnership to Propel XR Research

IIT Madras, through its Experiential Technology Innovation Centre (XTIC), has launched the XTIC-APP (Academic Partnership Program), aimed at driving growth and innovation in India’s eXtended Reality (XR) sector. XR, which includes Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Mixed Reality (MR), is increasingly positioned as a transformative field in technology. This initiative focuses on building skilled XR talent, strengthening the startup ecosystem, and advancing India’s presence on the global stage in immersive technology.

The XR Summit, held on November 16-17, brought together Vice Chancellors, Principals, and academic leaders who formalized this collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The program is designed to bridge the gap between applied and core R&D in XR and is positioned as a critical step towards the vision of creating an "XR Corridor" in India by 2047. As Prof. M. Manivannan, Head of XTIC, noted, “This summit is a vital step towards building a high-quality workforce of XR designers and developers, aligned with India’s Vikshit Bharat 2047 vision.”

Key Highlights of the XR Summit

The summit showcased significant advancements in XR technology, including the launch of India’s first-ever ‘Game Jam’ on XR readiness. This event demonstrated the evolution of XR through hands-on demonstrations of XR devices and explored gamified metrics that influence the adoption of XR across sectors.

Presentations highlighted innovations in XR hardware, immersive design, and gamification, with experts sharing insights on how XR is transforming multiple industries. Additionally, the summit emphasized industry partnerships, with global giants like Qualcomm and companies such as Sony and Samsung participating in workshops and sponsorships, underlining the collaborative nature of the event.

Building India’s XR Ecosystem

XTIC’s academic partnership program aims to establish a comprehensive roadmap for India’s XR growth by fostering AI and gaming integration, enhancing interoperability standards, and expanding global collaboration. By leveraging AI, Machine Learning, and gaming technologies, the initiative seeks to create more personalized and responsive XR experiences. XTIC also plans to develop interoperability standards through collaboration with international standards bodies, ensuring compatibility with diverse XR devices used globally.

The XTIC-APP is strategically positioned to elevate India’s XR sector, ensuring high-quality content creation, robust industry partnerships, and a pipeline of skilled professionals ready to lead the future of immersive technology. This initiative marks a substantial step towards creating a sustainable and impactful XR ecosystem in India, reflecting IIT Madras’s commitment to innovation and leadership in the tech space.