Virtual Reality
Virtual technologies (virtual, augmented and mixed reality) are radically changing the way we interact with digital content and offer a wide range of potential applications for business, research and education.
In industry, virtual environments can be used to train maintenance processes, for example, in marketing immersive sales experiences can be created and in the humanities, digital reconstructions of historical monuments represent a new way of accessing cultural artefacts.
Various VR and MR headsets from the manufacturers Meta, Pico and HTC with numerous apps from the fields of education and entertainment can be tested and borrowed in the ExpLAB. A developer workstation with corresponding hardware and software also offers the opportunity to realize your own VR and MR projects.
Information
For students
The ExpLAB's virtual reality equipment is available to students after a short introductory training course (VR license).
We offer open VR playgrounds in which our VR glasses can be tested and a license can be acquired without any major effort.
Both beginners who have no VR experience and VR enthusiasts who want to try out the latest headsets are welcome at the ExpLAB.
We also provide advice and support for final theses and projects involving virtual reality. Apps that are not yet available on our VR headsets can be installed after consultation with the ExpLAB team.
For lecturers and researchers
ExpLAB supports teachers and researchers in the realization of (teaching) events and projects that incorporate virtual technologies (augmented, mixed and virtual reality).
In addition to the freely usable technical pool, the ExpLAB provides various apps for different subject areas.
After consultation, we also support the installation of apps that are not offered in the usual app stores (e.g. in-house developments for research purposes). In addition, the ExpLAB enables the streaming of virtual reality content on the presentation screen to facilitate group scenarios.
VR license
The prerequisite for the independent use of our VR glasses is the acquisition of a VR license. A VR license can be acquired as part of our regular, open event format VR Playground.
In about ten minutes, you will receive a brief introduction to the use of our VR glasses, after which the license will be added to your library account.
Please contact us if you are a group of at least five people and would like to arrange an introduction.
Use of VR glasses inside the ExpLAB
After obtaining a VR license users can freely choose one of our VR headsets and use it inside the ExpLAB for up to one hour.
Borrowing VR glasses
Our VR glasses can be borrowed off-site in connection with study or research work. A VR license is required for borrowing.
The following VR glasses can currently be borrowed for a maximum period of one week: Pico 2 Neo, Meta Quest 1 + Quest 2.
If you would like to borrow VR glasses, please send us an e-mail: explab.ubuni-mannheim.de.
