Extended Reality (XR) is an umbrella term encompassing a spectrum of immersive technologies—including Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR)—that merge the physical and digital realms. No longer bound by the constraints of physical space or abstract data, XR invites us into living, breathing simulations where thought experiments become tangible and imagination merges with reality.
In research and development, XR presents itself as a multimodal tool offering an array of interaction possibilities, including visual display, spatial audio, haptics, gesture-based interfaces, and real-time responsiveness for data collection and system feedback.
XR enables us to prototype futures, rehearse decisions, and experience possibilities before they unfold. As the boundary between the real and the virtual dissolves, XR becomes not just a tool, but a philosophy of inquiry—one that asks: What if we could walk through our ideas before they are built?
Our Expertise
At SINTEF, we apply XR technologies across sectors with deep expertise in:
- Theory-based and user-centric design, development, and testing of immersive environments
- Integration of cross-domain technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) within XR systems
- Development of tools and techniques for enhancing holistic user experience
- Prototyping and analysis of domain-specific XR use cases
- Research methodology design: data collection, analysis, and iterative evaluation
- Research communication tailored to both scientific and public audiences
Projects
Our XR initiatives support applied research and innovation across a wide range of domains including, but not limited to, transport and mobility, public safety and emergency preparedness, education, manufacturing, urban development and architecture, and cultural heritage. A few representative projects include:
- Rogfast: Study of monotony-reducing measures in long road tunnels
- Evacuation from tunnel fires
- ARV
- The Gaia System: Revolutionizing Museum Storytelling with Projection Mapping
- VR Locomotion: Empirical and conceptual research
Laboratories
At SINTEF, XR research is supported by dedicated labs, equipped for high-quality immersive experimentation and co-creation.
