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:

With NEM (media innovation), Photonics21 (sensing and display technologies), SNS (low-latency networks), and 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).