IIT Madras launches India’s first consortium for virtual reality

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras, has launched the country’s first consortium for virtual reality called ‘Consortium for VR/AR/MR Engineering Mission in India’ (CAVE). 

As a group of academia, industries, start-ups, and government bodies, this consortium is being coordinated by IIT Madras. The objective of the consortium is to enable members to create new advanced technologies and applications in virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality (XR) and haptics together. Their research collaboration will be undertaken with industrial sponsors and participants from industry, academia, and government. 

The consortium will promote best practices, dialogue with all stakeholders, government policymakers, and research institutions. It aims to become a resource for industry, academia, consumers, and policymakers interested in virtual, augmented, and mixed reality.  

The key outcomes envisaged from CAVE include developing indigenous VR/AR/MR and ‘haptics’ hardware and software; setting up ‘VR Superhighway’ or ‘VR Corridor’ where many start-ups and industries work together for a bigger mission to make India the choice for future XR and ‘haptics’ needs.  

Dr Neeraj Mittal, Principal Secretary, Department of Information Technology, Government of Tamil Nadu, inaugurated CAVE during a recent webinar organised by the Centre of Excellence on Virtual Reality and Haptics at IIT Madras, set up under the ‘Institute of Eminence’ Initiative. 

This CoE on VR and Haptics is India’s first research and product Innovation centre for XR and haptics Technology, transdisciplinary centre encompassing several fields of engineering, medicine, psychology and arts. The centre is also known as Experiential Technology Innovation Centre. 

 Read more:

• IIT Madras to tie up with Adyar Cancer Institute for early diagnosis of ovarian cancer
• No plan to rename IIT Madras as IIT Chennai: Dharmendra Pradhan
• 39 top posts lying vacant at IITs, NITs: Education Minister 
• List of Top IITs in India: Rankings, Courses & Seats offered

• Check out new courses offered by top IITs for 2021-22 academic year