XR Interaction

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XR-INTERACTION Roadmap (2025)

The XR-INTERACTION Roadmap (2025) sets out a coherent vision for technological, infrastructural, and application-driven research in Extended Reality. It aims to build integrated implementation chains—from sensing and recording through processing and interaction—to support real-time, multi-user XR applications.

For OPENVERSE, XR-INTERACTION represents a technological cornerstone: it provides foundational R&D for immersive systems that can be federated across Europe’s XR ecosystem. Its focus on social, cultural, and educational applications offers a natural entry point for OPENVERSE’s orchestration and standardisation efforts in the virtual worlds domain.

Basic Identification

Initiative / Partnership Name: XR-INTERACTION – Research Alliance for Extended Reality

Full SRIDA Title & Version: XR-INTERACTION Roadmap (2025)

Publication / Last Update Date: October 2025

Governing Body / Association: Innovation Network XR-INTERACTION, coordinated by Chemnitz University of Technology.

Type: Research and Innovation Network (national–European hybrid initiative).

Website / Source: https://xr-interaction.com

Strategic Orientation

Vision Statement:

To implement cross-partner research and development on innovative technologies and applications of Extended Reality (XR) for social and cultural domains, driving next-generation immersive interaction ecosystems .

Core Mission / Objectives:

• Integrate XR technologies into societal and cultural applications.
• Create scalable, real-time, multi-user XR systems through interdisciplinary research.
• Combine advances in visual, auditory, and interactive modalities for holistic user experiences.
• Establish a bridge between academic research and industrial application.

Strategic Pillars / Focus Areas:

1. Basic Technologies: Visual streaming, 360° sound, AI-driven meshing and rendering, motion capturing, and photogrammetry.
2. Infrastructure Technologies: Data transmission, processing, and distributed system performance.
3. Application Domains: Education, mobility, cultural heritage, and retail environments.

Expected Outcomes / KPIs:

• Demonstration of scalable multi-user XR platforms.
• Integration of XR systems with AI and sensor data.
• Prototypes for real-time immersive collaboration tools.
• Growth of the partner ecosystem (academic–industrial).

Policy Alignment:

• Horizon Europe Cluster 4 (Digital, Industry & Space)
• Digital Europe Programme
• New European Bauhaus (through cultural XR applications)
• Alignment with EU Artificial Intelligence Act (trust and safety in interactive AI systems)

Technological and Thematic Priorities

A. Basic Technologies (as shown in diagram on page 2)

• Sound: 360° spatial sound and binaural systems.
• Visual Streaming: 360° stereoscopic and volumetric video.
• Algorithm / AI: Meshing, shading, clipping, and culling.
• Motion Capturing: Markerless and inertial-based tracking.
• Objects and Rooms: Modelling, configuration, and photogrammetry .

B. Infrastructure Technologies

• Transmission and Processing: High-performance pipelines for data handling.
• Scalability: Distributed systems supporting multi-user environments.
• Performance Optimisation: Synchronisation of visual and auditory streams with low latency.

C. Applications

• Social Interaction and Collaboration: Real-time co-presence and multi-user engagement.
• Cultural Heritage and Education: Immersive reconstructions, remote learning environments.
• Mobility and Navigation: XR-based urban and transport simulations.
• Retail and Consumer Spaces: Experiential commerce and mixed-reality product interaction.

Cross-cutting Topics:

• Real-time rendering and data transmission.
• AI integration across the XR pipeline.
• Ethical and sustainable design.
• Accessibility and inclusion in immersive experiences.

Synergies:

• NEM (media innovation);
• Photonics21 (sensing and display technologies);
• SNS (low-latency networks);
• EIT Culture & Creativity (application domains).

Governance & Ecosystem

Leading Organisations / Associations: Chemnitz University of Technology (coordinator) with multiple European R&D and industrial partners.

Stakeholder Groups: Academia, creative industries, XR technology providers, AI developers, cultural institutions, and SMEs.

Engagement Mechanisms:

• Open research and development network.
• Collaborative projects among industry and academic labs.
• Joint dissemination through conferences and demonstrators.

• Update Frequency: Continuous roadmap update tied to partner project cycles (annual review).
• Contact / Participation Info: Available via coordinator at https://xr-interaction.com/coordinator.

Alignment with Virtual Worlds

Relevance to Virtual Worlds Domains:

The XR-INTERACTION network offers a complete XR technology chain — from acquisition (sensing and recording) to distribution and interaction — directly matching OPENVERSE’s goal of federating European immersive ecosystems.

Key Alignment Points:

• Technological Depth: Provides foundational research for real-time, distributed XR experiences.
• Interoperability: Encourages open, modular integration of technologies across domains.
• Human-Centric Design: Focus on social and cultural use cases complements OPENVERSE’s emphasis on societal relevance.

SRIDA Document Metadata

Keywords / Tags: XR, AI, photogrammetry, volumetric video, motion capture, real-time rendering, multi-user systems, social XR.

Referenced Horizon Europe Clusters: Cluster 4 (Digital, Industry & Space) and Cluster 2 (Culture, Creativity & Inclusive Society).

TRL Range: 3–7 (experimental to demonstrator level).

Budget or Investment Priorities: R&D-driven (no disclosed total budget; supported through national and EU contributions).

Policy References: Horizon Europe, Digital Europe, Artificial Intelligence Act, and New European Bauhaus (cultural applications).