IIT Jodhpur introduces XR Design: A Master's in Design (MDes) Program that Prepares Students to Contribute to a Five Trillion Dollar Opportunity

IIT Jodhpur introduces XR Design: A Master's in Design (MDes) Program that Prepares Students to Contribute to a Five Trillion Dollar Opportunity

• According to a McKinsey report, applications of XR have the potential to create a five trillion-dollar (about four hundred lakh crore Rupees) value by 2030, which is greater than India’s GDP today

• IIT Jodhpur is unique in offering this program across all centrally funded technical and design institutions in India

• The XR Design program is open to students from various backgrounds, including graphic design, architecture, and engineering

JODHPUR, 5 -May-2023: Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur  is proud to announce the starting of a new Masters's in Design (MDes) program called XR Design from the academic year 2023-24. This is in accordance with the Government of India’s mandate to create manpower in the areas related to AR/VR technologies. This innovative program is designed to prepare students for the rapidly evolving field of extended reality (XR) design. XR Design is a unique program that blends traditional design principles with cutting-edge technology to prepare graduates for the future of design. 

Applications for the XR Design program are now open. For more information about the program and how to apply, please visit https://sola.iitj.ac.in/xr-design/. For institute-sponsored seats, admission to the first semester of the academic year 2023-2024 commencing in July 2023, the online link will remain active till 21st May 2023. For self-sponsored seats, admission to the first semester commencing in July 2023, the online link will remain active till 14th May 2023.

The program focuses on teaching students how to design immersive experiences that incorporate virtual, augmented, and mixed-reality elements, for a variety of applications such as training in healthcare and retail, automotive simulations, digital twins in manufacturing, remote collaboration in workplaces as well as gaming and entertainment.

"XR Design is a response to the growing demand for designers who can create immersive experiences that go beyond the limitations of traditional modes," said Prof. Santanu Chaudhury, Director, IIT Jodhpur. He further added, "The program will equip graduates with the skills they need to create meaningful and engaging experiences that will change how we interact online."

The XR Design program is open to students from various backgrounds, including graphic design, architecture, and engineering. Students will work with industry-standard software and hardware, such as Unity, Unreal Engine, Maya, and various headsets, to create immersive experiences.

IIT Jodhpur is unique in offering this program across all centrally funded technical and design institutions in India. “I think this course is good and timely. Students need to go beyond traditional mobile and web UX as the future is beyond it,” says Keyur Sorathia, Associate Professor at IIT Guwahati. 

The program will be steered by a select group of knowledgeable faculties–many of them from other IITs–and industry experts who have come together expressly to make this program a success.

"We are thrilled to offer this exciting new program to students who are passionate about design and technology," said Dr. Farhat Naz, Head, School of Liberal Arts, IIT Jodhpur. She further added, "XR Design is an excellent example of our commitment to providing students with the education they need to succeed in a rapidly changing world."

The program builds on other pioneering initiatives of IIT Jodhpur such as the AR/VR MTech program, iHub Drishti–Technology Innovation Hub (https://ihub-drishti.ai/) focussed around Computer Vision, Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality, and JCKIC’s projects to make crafts of Rajasthan virtually accessible to the world (https://kalaanubhav.com/)

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About IIT Jodhpur

The Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur was established in 2008, to foster technology education and research in India. The institute is committed to technological thought and action to benefit the economic development of India. Scholarship in teaching and learning; scholarship in research and creative accomplishments; and relevance to industry are three driving forces for us at IIT Jodhpur.

IIT Jodhpur functions from its sprawling residential Permanent Campus of 852 acres on National Highway 62, North-Northwest of Jodhpur towards Nagaur. This campus is meticulously planned and envisioned to stand as a symbol of academics. A large parcel of the Permanent Campus (of about 182 acres) is set aside for the development of a Technology Park to strengthen institute-industry interactions.

The institute is committed to a multidisciplinary approach of technology development. Hence, it has established state-of-the-art laboratories for basic research and has organized its academic degree activities through Departments and its coordinated research through Centres for Technologies.

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Admission Window for School of AI & Data Science Announced

School of AI and Data Science, IIT Jodhpur, India in collaboration with iHub Drishti Foundation, the Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) at IIT Jodhpur, India invites applications for admission to the part-time M.Tech. in Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality (AR & VR) for Working Professionals for the Semester commencing in session 2023-24. Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality has been emerging as a core technology with a significant impact on productivity. To cater to the immediate requirement of working manpower trained in emerging AR & VR technologies, IIT Jodhpur & TIH iHub Drishti Foundation, IIT Jodhpur offers a part-time M.Tech. Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality. It is designed to enable working professionals to pursue M.Tech in AR-VR Technologies as off-campus students with campus immersions not exceeding 15 days per semester. 

a. Link to website: https://ihub-drishti.ai/mtecharvr/ 

b. Link to apply:  https://oa.iitj.ac.in/OA_PG_ADMISSION/ 

c.  The minimum duration of the programme will be two academic years. 

d. Qualifying Degree: B.E./ B.Tech./M.Sc./MCA in any discipline.

e.  "The programme will be conducted by faculties from different IITs and Industry experts"

 f. Features of the Program:

● Impart in-depth knowledge and analytical and experimental research skills to solve AR & VR systems problems
● Provide knowledge of several tools for the design and modeling of AR & VR applications and immersive experiences
● Develop the ability to cultivate technological solutions for addressing the growing demands of AR & VR systems

g. Advertisement 𝐏𝐃𝐅: https://iitj.ac.in/uploaded_docs/3.%20Admission%20to%20%20M.Tech%20%20in%20Augmented%20Reality%20and%20Virtual%20Reality%20(AR%20&%20VR)%20for%20Working%20Professionals%20A.Y.%202023-24_05042023.pdf 

h. Curriculum: https://iitj.ac.in/acad_website/pg_curriculum/Concept%20Note%20on%20M.Tech%20AR-VR%2014.6.2022.pdf 

i. Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxPHWCJgOH0 

Last Date to apply:  May 15, 2023

In case of any query with respect to the online application form, candidates may contact: Office of Automation (oa_automation@iitj.ac.in). Other general queries may be directed to the office of the School of AI and Data Science, IIT Jodhpur. (Email address: office_saide@iitj.ac.in or hr@ihub-drishti.ai)

VRARA partners with GUSEC for Meta and Meity Startup hub in India

Are you an Extended Reality (AR/VR/MR/XR) startup in India looking to fortify your growth to the next level? Apply for the XR Startup Program, a collaboration by Meta and MeitY Startup Hub, implemented by GUSEC, outreach partner VRARA.

The program has two components:

Accelerator:

For post-MVP / early-revenue startups using XR technologies. 10 startups to be selected for the Accelerator program and get grants of Rs. 20 lakhs each, alongside acceleration and networking support.

Apply Now: Link

Grand Challenge in Education, Learning and Skills:

For early-stage startups and ideas using XR technologies. 20 startups to be selected for the Grand Challenge and each to be supported with a Rs. 50,000 challenge grant. Top 4 startups in the Grand Challenge to also receive Rs. 20 lakhs in grants each.
Apply Now: Link for Startups focused on Education/Skills, based in Western India

The last date to apply is October 13, 2022.

More details are available here: www.gusec.edu.in/xr

VRARA contacts - Pradeep atpradeep@thevrara.comand Keyur atahmedbad@thevrara.com

CYMAX Excellency award in AR VR

CYMAX has produced the official VR 360° video of Thub-2 and being launched by Telangana IT secretary Mr.Jayesh Ranjan on 30-09-2022 .The VR 360° video capturing is one of the products of Cymax where all the ceremonial functions, concerts , Architecture and real estate projects will come as real-time live experience before the viewers, as if they are at the place and are participating in the actual scene watching through the VR headset either the recorded content or 360° live streaming. All these features are pioneered by CYMAX over years of upgradation where the new generation will be able to see in its lifetime all that was good in the past and whatever is happening today and what is going to happen tomorrow with ease and finesse. At the outset on the same event CYMAX was felicitated with "TECHNOLOGY EXCELLENCE IN ARVR” award, organised by Sri Sandeep Kumar Maktala ,the global president of TITA (Telangana State Information Technology Association)

IIT Jodhpur in collaboration with TIH iHub Drishti Foundation, IIT Jodhpur invites applications for admission to the M.Tech. in AR/VR for the Working Professionals for the Upcoming Semester

iHub Drishti Foundation (iHub-Drishti) is a Section-8, Not-for-profit Company, promoted by and at the Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur under a National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) of the Government of India. iHub Drishti, IIT Jodhpur is a Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) focused around “Computer Vision, Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality”.

"The programme will be conducted by faculties from different IITs and Industry experts"

Features of the Program:

● Impart in-depth knowledge and analytical and experimental research skills to solve AR & VR systems problems
● Provide knowledge of several tools for the design and modeling of AR & VR applications and immersive experiences
● Develop the ability to cultivate technological solutions for addressing the growing demands of AR & VR systems
● Offered as a 3 year Programme.

The details about M. Tech. in AR VR is available here: https://mtecharvr.ihub-drishti.ai/

Advertisement 𝐏𝐃𝐅: https://ihub-drishti.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5e9b0f0be3e2f3f269a8990c8&id=b3dc266c43&e=a8d353498

FAQ: https://mtecharvr.ihub-drishti.ai/FAQ

Curriculum: https://iitj.ac.in/acad_website/pg_curriculum/Concept%20Note%20on%20M.Tech%20AR-VR%2014.6.2022.pdf

Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxPHWCJgOH0

Apply Now:https://oa.iitj.ac.in/OA_PG_ADMISSION/

Please contact Pradeep at pradeep@thevrara.com for any further queries 

India's first Virtual Reality TECHNO‐PARK has been set up in Hyderabad

For numerous innovations 32 acres is being prepared

Cymax is a platform for future worlds AR, VR technology related research and innovation

Hyderabad, November 22-2021: For the first time in India, CYMAX Techno‐Park with its Research and Innovations in Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technology is being set up in Hyderabad said G.Raghavareddy Chairman and CEO Mr. Gouri Shankar.     

While speaking at a press conference held on Monday morning at the CYMAX office in Hyderabad, they said they are setting up the CYMAX VR Techno‐Park with world‐class technology in a vast 32‐acre site near the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport.   They said that they are serving as a platform for startup companies as well as top companies to appropriately develop their AR and VR technology in the future.  

 In this context, they said that through CYMAX they are introducing various kinds of innovations in the Park such as CYMAX Institute of Creative Technology, VR Labs in Schools and Colleges, VR Movies in Web‐Series, CYMAX Film Museum, Virtual Productions, Virtual Architecture& Real‐estate, CYMAX Indoor Theater, CYMAX Outdoor Theater, Virtual TV/ Studio / Tours / Showrooms / Virtual Events and 360‐Degree live Streaming. They said they are introducing unique CYMAX courses catering to Multimedia, VFX, Software and hardware Sectors. They said that this course will help in bringing about phenomenal changes in the areas of education, entertainment, medicine, automobile, tourism, real estate, military, architecture and gaming besides creating a wide range of employment opportunities.  CYMAX Institute of Creative Technology aims to shape up students to effectively face intellectual challenges in the future and travel together with varied cultures.   

They said that CYMAX will play a key role on par with the foreign countries in extending AR and VR technology education and knowledge to employees, women and professionals in various fields, industries and business organizations besides youth.

They said that knowledge in AR, VR and MR besides Artificial intelligence and Machine Learning is going to unveil a brand new world for the people. They also said that with AR and VR technology, it is possible to go to any era in history, enjoy being on the moon, overcome our limitations and dash into the dream world, conquer old age and live in the digital world even after death.  While standing as the focal point for talent, research, innovation and entrepreneurship in the    world, CYMAX serves to build the professional leadership needed by society by providing effective education and skills.

FOUNDERS:

Chairman Mr. G. Raghava Reddy is a humble dynamic leader known for his simplicity, discipline and principles. As the chairman of G.Pulla Reddy Group he is continuing the values and the traditions set forth by his father, the legendary Mr.G. Pulla Reddy. They established many institutions sponsored and managed under G. Pulla Reddy Charities Trust. Mr.G.Raghava Reddy is also the President of the Oasis Education Society. He is an altruist, contributing to CYMAX Technology as part of extension and expansion to the next generation education system.  

CYMAX is the brainchild of CEO Mr. Gouri Shankar Mamidi, a renowned Architect serving as a Panel Architect for Andhra and Telangana states. He is a recipient of prestigious ‘UDYOG RATNA’ award and is well known in the innovation centers and circles to be a dynamic force in himself. Metaverse being his dream, this creative tech savvy could make his dreams come true using the professional skills collated all through his career spanning over three decades.”

Contact:

Cymax Infotainment Pvt.Ltd

 Ph: +91 7337332776

e-mail: pro@cymax.co.in

www.cymax.co.in

Building closer collaboration between Industry & Academia. Report on “The Tech Tide Workshop”

Aiming to provide a training on teaching methods at undergraduate level for engineering college,in association with VRARA Association, Bangalore chapter, Vidyavardhaka College of Engineering (VVCE) conducted a 2-Days offline workshop entitled “Tech Tide” on VR/MR,held during 22nd Oct -23rd Oct 2021 by Juhi Rathi, a 3D Content developer and a member of VRARA Bangalore.Dr B Sadashive Gowda (Principal,VVCE) and Dr G.B. Krishnappa (Dean of RnD,VVCE) co-chaired the session with Dr. Gururaj HL (faculty coordinator).

The purpose of the workshop was to introduce a new concept, and to demonstrate, teach and encourage the practice and hands-on skills of actual methods of VR/AR/MR/XR using the Blender and Unity 3D softwares.

The workshop started with the introduction of the field and industry standards for VR/AR/MR/XR, explaining the concepts, its implementation and the development of 3D content for different use cases. Informative examples of the 3D content development were shared with the participants. This was followed by discussing the career opportunities and a doubt clearing session.

On the second day, Ms Rathi gave hands-on experience on the basics of 3D modelling,including importing- exporting 3d models, and the interface and tools of the Blender software. The basics of Unity 3D software were also discussed including the scene setup and explanation of the tools involved.A few example projects made for AR/VR were shown to the participants for better visualization of the content discussed.

The workshop ended with a doubt session between the participants and Ms Rathi, followed with a thank you note by Ms Rathi and VVCE.

QWR to launch its flagship VR headset - VRone™ in India on 20th August

The emerging immersive technology upstart from India, Question What's Real™ (QWR) is all set to launch its flagship VR headset - VRone.™ & VRone.™ 4K in India on 20th August. Made in India, the VRone.™ 4K headset is the only device of its kind that offers warranty and support in India.

A part of QWR’s long term plan for adoption of immersive technology at scale, VRone.™ headsets showcase the highest quality of production including ergonomic design for user convenience, aesthetics, hardware specs, operating system.

VRone.™ is indigenously made, state-of-the-art, cable-free, all-in-one VR headset. It's a highly portable lightweight device, powered by the smartest, most powerful, dedicated chip, the Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ XR1 chipset. The Qualcomm® Snapdragon™’s dedicated eXtended Reality (XR) platform has been designed to accelerate high-quality video, audio, and interaction experiences on XR devices. 

“It’s really exciting to have our Member achieve this milestone and to see the quality of products coming out of India with best-in class chipsets and resolution,” said Kris Kolo, Global Executive Director, VR/AR Association.

VRone.™ Cinematic VR on Qualcomm® Snapdragon XR1 Platform offers  4K ultra-high resolution cinematic quality VR experience with 70Hz refresh rates. It is built on an easy-to-use, hyper-interactive OS that adapts to all your needs — gaming, movies, TV shows, education, animations or shopping. The all-new crystal-clear display has the most advanced technology in the industry. VRone.™ comes with 5,000+ hours of gaming content, 8000+ hours of movies, TV shows and animations powered by Viveport & VeeR TV. Certified by the global leader in eye comfort certification,  “TÜV Rheinland”,  VRone.™  ensures health &  safety for your eyes.

There are unlimited possibilities of using the VRone.™ controller. With Bluetooth 4.2, you can connect multiple input devices, like speakers, controllers and keyboard all at once. With high-precision sensors and 3DOF control system - you can click, swipe, pick, drop, throw stuff all in your Virtual World. The light weight design plays the most important role in delivering you a form factor that allows  hours of comfortable use. 

Question What’s Real™ flagship VR Headset VRone.™ makes you experience the multi-sensory adventure like never before. Delivery starts in the end of September 2020.

The VRone.™ 4K headset will be exclusively available for the Indian VRARA members at a special price, prior to the consumer launch, with priority shipping. VRone.™ 4K headset is the only device of its kind that offers warranty and support in the Indian Subcontinent.

Get your VRone.™ 4K headset at a special price now by clicking on this link and experiencing the multi-sensory adventure like never before. Coupon Code: VRARA3528

“At QWR our mission is to create products and services which are built to adapt, scale, and drive adoption of immersive technology in India and Southeast Asia. we believe the true impact of tech lies in empowering users with skills and knowledge & shift the control from tech owners to users, and our core purpose and design are to drive this change.” - QWR Spokesperson

Offer to extend to global members soon

For more,

Contact: Sanan Goyal

Email Address: sanan@qwr.asia

Website: https://vrone.qwr.asia/

Recap of our Online Event in India on Mitigating Impact of COVID-19 in Education by VR and AR Technology

See the latest during our VR/AR Global Summit ONLINE Conference+Expo Sept 16-18

Amidst this COVID-19 emergency, educational  institutes are thinking about ways for the students to secure their future. The advanced technologies like Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) have the ability to plan, manage, and support digital transformation needs for the education industry.

View fullsize

In line with this thought the VRARA Pune Chapter in association with  AICTE  and  MIT-WPU organized a webinar  on  Mitigating Impact of COVID-19  in Education by VR  and  AR  Technology on Sunday 28th June 2020. 

Prof. Anil Sahasrabudhe (Chairman, AICTE), Mr. Anand Sudarshan (Founder and Director Sylvant Advisors) and Mr. Pradeep Khanna (Director Asia Pacific, VRARA) were among the eminent panellist.  The panel discussion was moderated by Prof. Prasad Khandekar (Dean-MITWPU and Advisor VRARA)  and Mr. Purushottam Darshankar (President VRARA Pune Chapter and Chief Architect, Persistent Systems)      

The discussion in webinar focused on how education sector is reacting to the new reality of "Learning Anywhere, Anytime" and how AR and VR technologies can help students and the educators to stay connected together in the same room via immersive experience?      

Higher education institutes in India are coping with Covid-19 situation by increasing the percentage of courses delivered through flexible online mode, supported with simulation-based virtual labs for experimentation. However it was pointed out that mere shift to online delivery method is not going to enhance the learning experience of the students. There needs to be a shift in pedagogy from content-centric or syllabus driven to experience driven. This calls for transformation in teaching that we call  as outcome-based and transformation in learning that we call as experiential learning.                  

AR/VR technology is highly impactful in giving experiential knowledge and taking the demonstration value to its next level.  AR, VR , MR or XR can be very effective tool for creating immersive experiences. Immersive experiences, demonstrations and simulations can be created for learning IC engines,  human anatomy, neurosurgery , architecture, furniture design , fashion design,  product design  and many more areas including humanities.  Digital twins can give close to reality learning experiences distantly which in real sense is technology-enhanced learning.         

Educational institutes may have to mitigate challenges in (1) imbibing immersive way of teaching in pedagogy, (2) developing good experience studios (3) taking up research in AR/VR (4) training faculty or capacity building and (5) developing solutions. Using these technologies for the sake of using is not recommended.  We need to create value addition by providing solution to societal issues and problems through use of AR/VR. For this to happen a collaborative model is very essential for any educational institution. Educators, hardware vendors,  content developers, investors and policy makers should work in collaborative mode to achieve the real success.                   

There  needs to be initiatives and investments from government in improving bandwidth, establishing centre of excellences and regulating the hardware costs for creating an encouraging ecosystem for the new normal in education.        

The vote of thanks was proposed by Prof. Yogesh Deshpande (Vice President Pune Chapter and  Director Unity Centre of Excellence at Vishwakarma University) 

VR/AR Association Commences Ahmedabad Chapter in India

Industry leaders gather in Ahmedabad

On 7th January 2020, VR/AR Association launched the Ahmedabad chapter. With this chapter launch, the association has now established a foothold in Ahmedabad, the center for technological innovation in Gujarat, India.

With chapters in all major cities across the globe, the VR/AR Association has added another flourishing community of VR/AR experts to the association that encompasses over 4300 organizations (companies, brands, universities, etc.) and 28,000 professionals as members globally. The chapters or communities felicitate local networking and knowledge sharing via meetup events held periodically among VR and AR services and solution providers, content creators, organizations and institutions as well as brands and consumers who wish to utilize VR and AR technology for their business. The community supports a cohesive global network of member-based chapters that together leverage accelerated connections and knowledge sharing within the industry.  

Pradeep Khanna, Executive Director APAC VRARA, spoke at length about the current scenario of Augmented and Virtual Reality across the globe. He elucidated how emerging technologies like 5G and edge computing are going to push developments in immersive technology even further by providing advantages like zero latency. He further advised members to explore as the tipping point of adoption for the immersive technology is near and how this will be a disruptive force in the future for a multitude of industries.  

Another special guest, President - Ganpat University, Padma Shri Ganpatbhai Patel, addressed the audience and emphasized on the importance of innovation in the field. He further went on to discuss the significance of amalgamating academia and industries towards a more scalable growth not just for the technology, but all stakeholders invested in immersive technology. Mr. Sunil Parekh, Chief Corporate Affairs Advisor for Zydus Group was also in attendance at the launch event. 

“The global augmented and virtual reality market size was $11.35 billion in 2017, and the augmented and virtual reality market forecast is projected to reach $571.42 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 63.3% from 2018 to 2025. All major technology giants like Google, Facebook, Snap and China’s BAT are focusing efforts on VR/AR development. As the industry is growing at an unprecedented rate our efforts are focused at creating an inclusive ecosystem that shall provide access and advantages of this rapid growth in the immersive technology industry to all members.” stated chapter president Rohit Purohit, Chapter President and CEO – ViitorCloud Technologies.  

Keyur Bhalavat chapter vice president & CEO - Plutomen Technologies further added, “The Ahmedabad association serves as a platform for members to interact and share with like-minded people with a shared focus towards VR/AR development leading to a culmination of ideas among the brightest minds in the industry. The chapter will be cultivating more members to expand the foothold of the community across entire Gujarat. With constant communication and periodic meetups, we aim to create a bridge between the vast network of global leaders and community members.”  

With the establishment of a dedicated chapter organizations involved in VR/AR industry will be welcome to attend the VRARA chapter events, while members old and new will relish additional benefits related to unique research, reports and case studies developed by members, discounts to industry events, promotion opportunities and direct access to other members on an international scale.    

In the final hours of the launch event, the members of the Ahmedabad association discussed at length about how the community will move forward and establish itself and members as a global entity in immersive technology development. Brimming with potential, the VR/AR Association Ahmedabad chapter could help Gujarat achieve a global footprint in the AR/VR industry propelling the emerging technology market for the entire state.

For more details please visit thevrara.com/india

For more details please visit https://www.thevrara.com/india

Transforming Employee Onboarding with Virtual Reality. New employees retain information 2x more using VR!

Come meet us at the VR/AR Global Summit Nov 1-2!

New employees retain information after a VR experience two times more than after viewing video or text-based learning materials. 

An unforgettable onboarding experience for employees is the crucial first step to a successful and productive career. This is why Lenovo is digitizing and transforming employee orientation with its own virtual reality (VR) Mirage Solo headsets.

“Onboarding new employees is too often synonymous with long meetings and information overload. With VR, however, employees take control of the onboarding process, with a rich, immersive onboarding experience. At Lenovo, we want to bring the benefits of smarter technology to all, and there’s no better place to apply this vision than within our own company. Using VR for smart onboarding is how we walk the talk when it comes to the intelligent transformation of business,” said Subhankar Roy Chowdhury, Executive Director, Human Resources Asia Pacific, Lenovo. “Virtual reality opens up a world of possibilities for a new joiner to experience intelligent transformation from Day One.”

“Smarter” onboarding, introduced for the first time at Lenovo to employees in Asia Pacific this month, includes the full Lenovo Theater of company video training content, adapted for VR, as well as a 360-degree video that introduces new employees to Lenovo’s management team in living color. The goal of smarter onboarding is not to replace current orientation with a virtual reality solution, but to enhance the experience with VR. “We wanted to create a “wow” experience for employees,” said Sachin Kinagi, Learning Manager at Lenovo.

By adding VR into the onboarding mix with Lenovo’s Mirage Solo headsets, Lenovo has significantly enhanced the new employee onboarding experience, and improved the productivity of new joiners by helping them integrate faster into the organization and better retain what they have learned. Research shows that memory retention after a VR experience is two times higher than after viewing video or text-based learning materials.

New employees in Asia Pacific learning about Lenovo and its culture with virtual reality Mirage Solo headsets.

“I felt completely immersed in the VR world, which made it easy to concentrate, pay attention and remember information,” said Shashank Charati, who recently joined Lenovo as an Account Manager and participated in the company’s first VR orientation session.

VR can also provide an alternative for new employees or management team members who are not personally able to attend the orientation. “Many times, when we have onboarding sessions, the market general manager or segment leader is not available for the session,” continued Kinagi. “VR is a great opportunity for us to fill that gap and ensure employees hear from our leaders even when they are not physically there.” Anytime, anywhere onboarding allows new joiners to proceed at their own pace, time and location – taking “on-demand learning” to the next level, “on-demand onboarding.”

When employees complete their VR-enhanced orientation, they feel more empowered, excited and motivated about the company. “After experiencing VR, I did feel even more excited about working at Lenovo and being a part of the journey toward ‘Smarter Technology for All,’” continued Charati.

At the same time, by using VR during orientation, new Lenovo employees are quickly able to accustom themselves to the company’s product and better understand company vision.

Following the success of its pilot program in India, Lenovo in Asia Pacific plans to roll out VR onboarding to its offices and sites in other markets. For example, in the virtual world a new employee joining in Vietnam will be able view Lenovo’s massive data centers around the globe, take a tour of the corporate headquarters in Beijing, or visit a factory in Shenzhen. Lenovo will also share its experience with corporate customers who are interested in using Mirage Solo VR for their own onboarding solutions.

Source:

Transforming Employee Onboarding with Virtual Reality | Lenovo StoryHub

https://news.lenovo.com/transforming-employee-onboarding-with-virtual-reality/