Benelux's first metaverse innovation hub opens its doors in Eindhoven. It's all about 3EALITY, High Tech Campus Eindhoven's newest innovation hub. The hub focuses on metaverse and spatial computing technologies.
What is metaverse?
The metaverse is a network of virtual spaces, in which users can interact with each other. Users enter the metaverse using VR or AR glasses, identifying themselves as an avatar, which can be thought of as a digital doppelganger.
The metaverse was put back on the map by Mark Zuckerberg in 2021. However, the concept is not new; it already appears in a science fiction novel published in 1992. Zuckerberg is now betting widely on the metaverse and even renamed Facebook Meta, which is a reference to the concept. Also, the Meta chief is investing billions of dollars in the development of a metaverse.
So now High Tech Campus Eindhoven is also betting on metaverse. To this end, it is opening the Benelux's first innovation hub in this field with 3EALITY. The hub was announced at Immersive Tech Day, where eleven demo partners including Epic Games, NVIDIA and Philips showed innovative applications. The launch followed shortly after Apple chief Tim Cook's visit to NXP Semiconductors and High Tech Campus Eindhoven. Apple is also betting on the metaverse with the launch of its VR glasses Vision Pro.
Ecosystem of innovative companies
With 3EALITY, High Tech Campus Eindhoven aims to create an ecosystem of innovative companies working on spatial computing and metaverse applications. Spatial computing is a broad term that encompasses various technologies and so-called human-computer interactions. It uses cameras and sensors to create a digital model - also called a digital twin.
Such a digital model can be a digital representation of people, objects, machines and/or environments. Typically, in spatial computing a virtual layer is superimposed on the real world. In that respect, it is very similar to augmented reality, where this is also central.
3EALITY will offer space to parties that want to be part of such an ecosystem. Among other things, they can gain knowledge in the innovation hub through events organised or educational programmes set up in cooperation with educational institutions. The innovation hub will also have a large common room and co-working spaces, through which the campus aims to encourage collaboration.
Tenant or partner
Interested parties can join the ecosystem as tenants or partners. Tenants will have access to office space and be part of a community working on innovations. They can also showcase their innovations in the hub or during related events.
Partners will receive support from the High Tech Campus in presenting their solutions and expanding their network. This includes access to a network and tech community, to whom they can offer their solutions and services. They also get marketing support and access to a business innovation community. More information is available here.
Strengthening position as tech hub
The innovation hub should contribute to strengthening High Tech Campus Eindhoven's position as a leading tech hub worldwide. "High Tech Campus Eindhoven has the ambition to be among the world's leading tech hubs by 2030. To achieve this, we are taking a proactive role in driving innovation by launching physical hubs stemming from technology trends. This hub adds a software layer to the strong hardware layer of the Campus; a crucial step in realising our ambition," said Otto van den Boogaard, CEO of HTCE.
Philipp Werle, business developer emerging tech, added: "As an R&D Campus, we are looking 10 years ahead. We expect these technologies to have a major impact on all domains, and see the potential of the applications these technologies enable."
'Rooted in reality'
With the name 3EALITY, High Tech Campus Eindhoven wants to emphasise that in the midst of all the digital transformations, we remain rooted in reality, where technology adds value. The '3' in 3EALITY stands for the three-dimensional evolution that the internet is going through, and all the technologies that support it.
The innovation hub is located on the ground floor and basement of HTC 37, the former Philips Research building. Construction will take place in the coming months, with the opening scheduled for mid-February. This is also when the first tenants are expected to move into the hub.
Werle: "We are currently finalising cooperation agreements with companies that will provide us with the necessary infrastructure and know-how in this area. Furthermore, we expect the first innovative companies to be based in the hub by the time it opens. This is the start of a new cluster of emerging tech companies at High Tech Campus Eindhoven."
Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
Photo: High Tech Campus Eindhoven
