Chennai is buzzing with excitement as the eXperiential Technology Innovation Centre (XTIC) at IIT Madras hosted the first International XR Symposium for the Global South. This event signifies India’s commitment to leading in XR (extended reality) technologies, pushing forward its mission of self-reliance in immersive systems.
The goal of XTIC is clear: promote affordable XR innovation, support local XR hardware and software, and expand its use in education, healthcare, and public services. Interestingly, India’s AR/VR market was valued at $4.84 billion in 2023, showing promising growth of about 38.3% annually until 2032. However, the current national adoption rate is around just 5%. This highlights a significant gap and the exciting potential for growth in XR technologies.
During the symposium, experts emphasized that the upcoming tech wave will revolve around XR. This realization comes as XR blends AR (Augmented Reality), VR (Virtual Reality), MR (Mixed Reality), and haptics (touch-based feedback) to redefine many sectors, especially in emerging economies.
Dr. Obijiofor Aginam from UNESCO discussed how such technologies are transforming education. “XR could be the transformative tech for our time,” he said. He emphasized that UNESCO is ready to assist nations in integrating these new skills into their education systems, ensuring equal access to quality education even in low-resource countries.
M. Manivannan, a lead researcher at XTIC, commented on the pressing need for cost-effective XR applications. He believes such tools are vital for developing nations, allowing customizable XR experiences relevant to local contexts.
In a related discussion, Steven LaValle, a professor from the University of Oulu in Finland, discussed how VR technologies can revolutionize various areas of life. He highlighted the concept of “frugal innovation,” which aims to make advanced technology available and affordable for everyone. This fresh perspective could help bring XR experiences to the masses.
The event also explored emerging trends, such as AI’s synergy with XR. Ajit Gupte from Qualcomm pointed out that XR is now an evolving computing platform, with significant growth potential. With the XR market expected to exceed $250 billion by 2030, India has the opportunity to harness its large developer base in this field.
Meta showcased its Project Aria glasses, emphasizing the need for integrating human perspectives into AI. Prince Gupta spotlighted the importance of privacy in such technologies, highlighting their commitment to responsible research and use.
The symposium showcased how XR technology could lead to new educational methodologies, better healthcare solutions, and enhanced public services. As India strives for innovation in XR, it encourages the budding talent pool to explore opportunities that could reshape society.
In summary, the first International XR Symposium reveals India’s dedicated efforts to boost XR technology, laying the groundwork for potential transformation that could benefit not just its people but also set an inspiring model for the Global South.
For more insights on XR technology and its impact, you can visit trusted sources such as UNESCO and Qualcomm.
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