The eXperiential Technology Innovation Centre, an IIT Madras Institute of Eminence Centre specializing in Virtual Reality and Related Fields, is launching the ‘XTIC-APP,’ or Academic Partnership Program to promote India’s growth in the ‘Extended Reality’ sector. XR education is positioned to create a large pool of high-performing XR developers and designers ready to meet global demands.

With this initiative, the Centre seeks to uplift the XR field, bridging the gap between Applied R&D and Core R&D. This approach will also provide a significant support ecosystem, helping to establish XR worldwide. As part of this strategic mission, the XR Summit, scheduled at IIT Madras on November 16th and 17th, 2024, will feature MoU signings with Vice Chancellors and Principals of leading academic institutions to formalize this vision.

Extended Reality (XR) — encompassing Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and Mixed Reality — benefits from cutting-edge facilities like the Haptics Lab and the IoE Center for VR and Haptics, positioning IIT Madras as a leader in the field, says Prof. M. Manivannan, Faculty Head, XTIC. “XR has become one of the best online courses for students and professionals eager to pioneer the digital frontier.” With this Academic Partnership Program, learners will find resources aligned with top digital marketing courses and technical XR training to meet the evolving demands of industries.

As highlighted in the recent Whitepaper on XR in India, academia’s role in creating a highly skilled XR workforce is pivotal to fulfilling India’s ambition of establishing an XR Corridor by 2047. The Innovation in XR Summit is a vital step toward achieving “Vikshit Bharat 2047.”

Among the summit’s highlights is a first-of-its-kind ‘Game Jam’ on XR Readiness, demonstrating the latest in XR Devices and game-field metrics vital for sector adoption. Experts in XR Hardware, Software, Immersive Design, and Gamification will participate, underscoring why XR remains among the top trending courses in India and a valuable choice for aspiring professionals.

Key objectives for the XR Summit include drafting a roadmap for India’s XR Corridor:

• Merging AI/ML and Gaming with XR to create intelligent, responsive experiences in XR, enhancing object recognition, gesture, and voice control.
• Collaborating with international standards organizations to develop interoperability standards and APIs, enabling XTIC to integrate XR technology across industries.
• Through CAVE, our industrial consortium, we’re building a network of high-quality developers and creators contributing to XTIC’s growing library of apps, games, and experiences.
• Working globally with industry leaders like Qualcomm, Sony, and Samsung, which sponsor, participate, and host workshops to drive XR further.

The XR Summit will also host awards presented by Steve LaValle, co-inventor of Oculus VR, celebrating startups pushing the boundaries of XR technology. These initiatives demonstrate the increasing demand for XR as one of the best online courses and one of the top digital marketing courses with a strong future in India and beyond.