Research & Innovation

Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) and Intel Ireland are collaborating on an applied research project that will explore the use of Virtual Reality (VR) technologies for training simulation programmes in Intel. The partnership will see Intel engage the expertise of a range of emerging technologies available from the Virtual Interaction Research Lab (VIRaL) and School of Media at TU Dublin.

The Virtual Interaction Research Lab, or VIRaL, is a pioneering virtual and augmented reality research and development laboratory at TU Dublin. The lab carries out research to determine how AR and VR technologies can augment, improve, and innovate existing practices and methods across a variety of fields, including digital media, journalism, games development, simulation-based education, training and manufacturing.

The new research project will also see a number of TU Dublin undergraduate students and postgraduate research assistants from the Computer Science and Game Development disciplines complete intern placements at the Intel campus in Leixlip.

Dr. Brian Vaughan, Principle Investigator at VIRaL, said: “the Intel collaboration is an exciting opportunity for researchers to create an immersive experience for a complex training programme. VIRal will develop Intel’s existing, highly detailed specifications for a tool and translate certain aspects into a VR training solution that will complement the existing AR training programmes. The project will use a range of expertise, including that of Basil Lim, Game Designer in the School of Media, myself, and two research assistants – a developer and a 3D modeller.”

Dr. Vaughan continued: “The project will leverage the School of Media’s experience and expertise in interaction design, and game design, along with VIRaL’s research and experience in VR simulation training and VR learning. Intel will also take on three interns from TU Dublin, their first internships in the area of AR and VR.”

Intel Ireland General Manager and Vice President, Manufacturing and Operations, Eamonn Sinnott added: “We are working with TU Dublin to explore new frontiers with Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) Technology as we continue on our Industry 4.0 journey. We anticipate massive potential in the merger of the physical and digital worlds in real time.”

The joint VR research project is in addition to a multi-year partnership announced last year focusing on many elements including the opening of the Intel Auditorium – a 250-seater lecture theatre located in the Central Quad in the TU Dublin flagship campus at Grangegorman which will open in September 2020. The partnership also funds talent development activities such as the Intel Awards Programme, which provides scholarships to students in the disciplines of Engineering, Computer Science and Game Design.