GuestXR calls for social-impact applications integrating extended reality technologies

• GuestXR is a European project that develops an immersive virtual social environment integrating a machine learning agent designed to unlock interactions between participants and minimising conflict.
• Applications are open for individuals and organisations across Europe until the 30^th of September.

The GuestXR project has launched an open call to select an innovative application integrating and demonstrating novel Extended Reality technologies in novel approaches.

Through the open call, individuals and entities in the European Union are able to propose an application addressing a particular societal issue integrating GuestXR innovative VR and AR technologies. Eligible activities range from projects or applications fostering education, reducing conflict between social groups, facilitating psychotherapy, improving cultural experiences, reducing inequalities or any other case that is related to improving social matters.

“Companies applying will have access to VR and AR novel technologies free of charge and receive technical support, training, and visibility through the project channels for the development of a use case with social impact as the main goal,” explains Simona Neri, coordinator of the GuestXR project and Project Manager at Eurecat.

The GuestXR European project embraces artificial intelligence, together with neuroscience and social psychology research to increase harmony and improve the participants’ experience in shared 3D virtual or augmented reality spaces. “We aim to test applications promoting progress towards a more sustainable, just, and equitable society built upon our interactive multisensory extended reality system ,” explains Mel Slater, GuestXR Scientific Leader and Investigator and Co-director of the Event Lab of the University of Barcelona.

The call for receiving applications is open and will run until September 30, 2023. After the assessment of proposals between October and November 2023, the selected applicant will start its activities in January 2024, which will last one year. During the execution period, the beneficiary will count with full support from GuestXR partners for developing the proposed project in the form of specific technical support, advice, and training.

The GuestXR consortium is coordinated by the Eurecat technology centre together with the University of Barcelona and it is made up of eight organisations from six countries featuring a multidisciplinary team with backgrounds in extended reality, machine learning, artificial intelligence, social psychology, neuroscience, multisensory integration, research ethics and technology transfer.

Alongside Eurecat, four universities (the University of Maastricht, the University of Warsaw, the University of Barcelona and the Reichman University), a research institute (Inria) and two businesses (Virtual Bodyworks and g.tec medical engineering GMBH) are also taking part in the project.