Discover How to Revolutionize Your Training: How a Scalable XR Project is Transforming Learning in Critical Infrastructure

Keijo Haataja February 15, 2024

Scalable XR Project, spearheaded by ThingLink Oy, embarks on a transformative journey to redefine the landscape of XR technology in learning and development. This initiative is rooted in the pressing need to address the inherent challenges of XR content creation, which has historically been a complex, resource-intensive process, thus limiting the widespread adoption and scalability of XR technologies in educational settings. The project’s vision is to accelerate the adoption of XR technology in learning and development by simplifying content production, ensuring cross-device compatibility, and improving scalability, thereby making immersive learning accessible to a broader audience.

The Scalable-XR Project (Project Code: A90684) is funded by ELY (Centre for Economic Development, Transport, and the Environment) and EU (ERDF; European Regional Development Fund). The duration of the project is 15.6.2022-14.6.2024.

XR: From Niche to Mainstream Solution

At the heart of the Scalable XR Project is the goal to make XR content creation effortlessly accessible across existing mobile devices, thereby ensuring that the content is not only compatible with the latest headsets but any device the learner carries at work. This approach is pivotal in transitioning XR from being perceived as a niche, high-end technology to a mainstream educational solution. By enabling content to be created once and deployed across any device, the project addresses the critical scalability issue, ensuring that XR’s benefits in education can be fully realized and not confined to a limited audience.

Addressing Standards for Quality and Security

Quality standards and data security are paramount within the project’s framework. Recognizing the importance of these aspects, ThingLink Oy has dedicated significant resources to enhancing its technological infrastructure, ensuring that the XR solutions developed not only meet but exceed the highest standards of quality and security. This commitment to excellence and security is fundamental in fostering trust and reliability in XR technologies for learning and development purposes.

Building an Ecosystem of Trusted Partners

Partnerships are instrumental in pushing the boundaries of what kind of XR solutions can be offered to cater the needs of larger customers. In the Scalable-XR Project, one of the goals is to bring together complementary technology companies in Eastern Finland and package solutions that cover services from hosting to content creation and sharing XR experiences.

Scalable-XR Project Poster Summarizes Goals

To ensure that project’s goals are visible and accessible, an A3-poster has been created and displayed prominently at ThingLink’s offices in Kontiolahti and co-working space in Helsinki. This poster serves as a tangible representation of the project’s mission, encapsulating the essence of the Scalable-XR Project and its dedication to advancing XR technology in learning and development. Furthermore, a dedicated Website for the Scalable-XR Project has been created in which further information about the project can be explored as well as some practical case studies and blog posts related to the project are illustrated.

As the project progresses, ThingLink Oy remains committed to addressing the challenges and harnessing the opportunities presented by XR technology. Through our efforts in simplifying content creation, enhancing security and quality standards, and fostering collaborative innovation, the Scalable-XR Project is poised to make a significant impact on the future of learning and development, paving the way for a more immersive, accessible, and engaging learning experiences.

Past and Upcoming Workshops

So far in the project, we have organised:

Workshop in Kontiolahti headquarters in January 2023: ThingLink and 3D Talo Finland teams planning joint offering for the health care sector.

Workshop in Stuttgart in June 2023: ThingLink, Process Genius, and 3D Talo Finland teams planning joint offering for the German manufacturing market.

XR-workshop and a visit to Meta offices in Berlin on June 2023

VR/AR-workshop in Kontiolahti headquarters on October 2023

Atea Focus in Helsinki on October 2023

DigiSote in Helsinki on November 2023

Slush in Helsinki on December 2023

Scalable-XR Project Poster: Abstract & Goals & Technical Aims

Scalable-XR Project: Scalable and Secure XR Training
for Critical Infrastructure Sector Organizations

Abstract: The purpose of the project is to develop and
commercialize scalable and secure XR-training solutions that
accelerates digitalization and improves the quality and
results of digital learning in large critical infrastructure sector
organizations.

Project code:
A90684

Duration:
15.6.2022 - 14.6.2024

Main Objective: Building a comprehensive XR-training solution
for organizations in the critical infrastructure sector, enabling
employers to significantly improve the quality of job orientation
and training, thereby saving costs and enhancing productivity.

Overarching Goal: Establishing a strong immersive XR-training
Technology Service Hub in Eastern Finland, including a secure
online service, content production services, and interactive
training spaces interactive meeting rooms) placed
incompanies or educational institutions.

Technical Aims in Work Packages:
1)
Infrastructure
Development
Actions:
Development
of
ThingLink's
technology
infrastructure and processes to comply with
large corporations' data security requirements.
2) Developing New XR-Based Solutions:
Developing and testing of ThingLink's Private
Cloud Editor for secure XR-content creation and
sharing, aimed at high-security needs of Critical
Infrastructure Sector Organizations.
3) New
Solutions
for Easy
Sharing
of
Immersive Experiences Online and in Physical
Spaces: Creating a Screenshot tool for 3D-
captures and a new XR app for 3D-scanning &
AR-viewing as well as building an Interactive
Training Room for ThingLink Headquaters in
Kontiolahti.
4) Construction of an XR-Partnership Model,
including
related
license
and
service
packages,
for
serving large
corporations:
Conceptualizing a comprehensive XR-Based
Service Model together with partner companies,
resulting in a joint sales model through strong
immersive XR-training Technology Service Hub
in Eastern Finland.

Achieved Results So Far in the Scalable-XR Project

Project’s key achievements include:

Enhancing ThingLink’s technological infrastructure to comply with high security standards (ISO28001 audit phase 1 passed).
Developing new solutions to facilitate the creation and disseminate immersive (VR and AR) experiences (Unity PlugIn, Pano-to-360 application, and ThingLink AR application for iOS & Android).
Creating collaborative service models for enterprise sales (healthcare, defense, and manufacturing).

These actions play a significant role in achieving project’s goals and outcomes as well as supporting ThingLink’s international growth and competitiveness. Furthermore, project’s success is crucial for strengthening the Eastern Finland region as a collaborative hub for immersive training technologies. The project has so far progressed according to the established project plan and we are very pleased with how it has already accelerated our development work and international growth.

More information can be found at the Scalable-XR Project website:

Logos of organisation that have funded the project:
European Union
ELY-keskus
ISO 27001
ThingLink

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