Newly unveiled VRx Lab in Dubai Knowledge Park to be research and development hub for immersive technologies in the Middle East
- Tuesday, 28 March 2023
We are excited to announce the opening of the brand new Immersive VRx Lab, a cutting-edge virtual reality (VR) hub at Dubai Knowledge Park designed to empower students and faculty to develop and explore their innovative ideas using immersive technology.
The VRx Lab will serve as a strong resource for teaching, learning, and conducting research, as well as a collaborative space for students working on independent projects. With its state-of-the-art equipment and ambitious vision, the VRx Lab aims to transform the way we engage with virtual reality in education and research. The Lab is also set to become a thriving hub of multidisciplinary VR research and design in the Middle East and beyond, under the umbrella of our Centre for Innovation in Human Experience.
The new VRx Lab facilities were officially inaugurated on 9 March 2023 by Rebecca Lawrence, Chair of the Middlesex University Board of Directors; Professor Nic Beech, Vice-Chancellor of Middlesex University; and Professor Carole-Anne Upton, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Global Innovation and Impact. All three were in Dubai to visit our campus alongside the Class of 2022 Graduation Ceremonies on 11 and 12 March 2023.
Dr Sameer Kishore, Head and Founder of the Immersive VRx Lab and Campus Programme Coordinator MSc Robotics, gave our visitors a tour of the lab, explaining the technology and research philosophy of the discipline, before demonstrating some of the advanced equipment available for academic and industry use.
The VRx Lab houses an extensive range of standalone VR headsets, such as the Meta Quest 2, which enable the creation of captivating and portable experiences. The Immersive Theatre, a specialised part of the VRx Lab, offers a fully immersive environment using the HTC Vive Pro 2, complete with high-quality audio capabilities. In addition, the Immersive Theatre also features a full-body motion capture setup, allowing users to craft truly lifelike experiences that transport them to a new reality.
Not limited to cutting-edge VR systems, the VRx Lab also features an exceptional lineup of gaming PCs for development and running high fidelity experiences. Our collection includes high-performance machines from Alienware and other renowned brands, equipped with powerful graphics cards like the NVIDIA RTX 3070 and audio systems from high-end manufacturers such as Beyerdynamic. These top-of-the-line PCs enable users to create and explore VR content with unparalleled graphical quality with stunning reflections, dynamic lighting, and real-time shadows.
Learn more about the Immersive VRx Lab here: https://www.mdx.ac.ae/immersive-vrx-lab
