ACADEMIC RESEARCH SHOWCASE
Augmented and Virtual Reality Laboratory
Website - avrlab.unisalento.it
DESCRIPTION
Augmented and Virtual Reality Laboratory (AVR Lab) of the University of Salento (Italy) develops innovative eXtended Reality solutions that address challenges in both healthcare and cultural heritage. In the healthcare domain, AVR Lab creates advanced tools for medical training, surgical planning, rehabilitation, and patient engagement, enabling more intuitive access to clinical information and enhancing decision-making processes through immersive visualization and natural interaction techniques. In parallel, the laboratory applies the same technological expertise to the cultural heritage sector, developing solutions for digital preservation, 3D reconstruction, virtual exploration, and interactive storytelling that make cultural assets more accessible, engaging, and sustainable. Through interdisciplinary collaborations with hospitals, research centers, museums, cultural institutions, and industry partners, AVR Lab contributes to the digital transformation of healthcare and cultural heritage, fostering innovation, knowledge transfer, and the creation of meaningful experiences that bridge the physical and digital worlds.
The presentation offers an overview of recent AVR Lab activities in XR across two major application domains: Healthcare and Medicine and Cultural Heritage and Education. Together, these contributions show how XR technologies can support both care and culture by creating interactive, inclusive and context-aware experiences. The talk highlights AVR Lab’s interdisciplinary approach, combining technological development, user-centered design and applied research in real-world scenarios.
