Chennai: The eXperiential Technology Innovation Centre (XTIC) at IIT Madras will launch the 'XTIC-APP' (Academic Partnership Program) to advance India's 'eXtended Reality' (XR) sector.

This program, launching at the XR Summit on 17th November, aims to nurture highly skilled XR developers and designers for global markets, while supporting the Indian startup ecosystem.

The two-day XR Summit at IIT Madras, set for 16th-17th November, will bring together academic leaders to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), expanding XR education globally.

XTIC aims to bridge the gap between applied and core research in XR, encompassing technologies like Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Mixed Reality (MR).

Highlighting XTIC's ambitions, Faculty Head Prof. M. Manivannan emphasized, “To achieve the goal of India establishing an XR Corridor by 2047, academic collaboration is crucial for training top-tier XR designers and developers.”

The summit will feature India's first 'Game Jam' on XR Readiness, showcasing innovations in XR hardware, software, and immersive design. Key objectives include creating standards for XR interoperability, enhancing AI integration, and establishing a global content network.

American computer scientist and Oculus VR co-inventor Steve LaValle will present the XR Startup Awards, recognizing pioneering efforts in XR development across various categories, from social impact to sustainability.