CXOToday ran an exclusive interview with Mr. Nihar Sripad Madkaiker, Co-Founder and VP – Product and Strategic Alliances, iXR Labs
Q1 How has iXR Labs capitalized on the use of VR as an emerging technology in the education industry?
iXR Labs has been at the forefront of leveraging Virtual Reality (VR) as an emerging technology in the education industry. We believe VR has the potential to transform the way students learn and experience education and we have worked to realize that potential.
Through our VR solutions, we have been able to provide students with immersive and interactive learning experiences that allow them to engage with digital content in ways that traditional teaching methods cannot. We have developed a range of VR modules covering a variety of subjects and topics including Civil, Mechanical and Electrical engineering curricula.
Our VR solutions are designed to accommodate different learning styles and needs. For example, our Industrial Sightseeing modules allow students to visualize and experiment with complex concepts in a safe and controlled environment, while the Machinery modules allow them to understand the structure and workings of heavy machinery and its parts separately.
In addition, we have worked to make VR technology more accessible and affordable for educational institutions, so that colleges in rural areas can also benefit from this technology.
Q2. How do you assess the current state of the VR industry in education, including its potential for growth and impact on the future of learning?
The current state of the VR industry in education is still in its early stages, but we see tremendous potential for growth and impact in the future. The recent pandemic has accelerated the adoption of online learning, particularly VR technology. VR technology can provide a more immersive and interactive experience compared to traditional online learning methods.
VR technology can enable students to experience and interact with digital content in ways that traditional teaching methods cannot. It provides a more engaging and memorable learning experience, resulting in improved learning outcomes.
We’ve already seen some early success stories of VR technology in education. For example, medical schools have started using VR technology to simulate surgical procedures, allowing students to gain valuable experience in a safe and controlled environment before working on real patients.
In addition, VR technology can provide access to education for people who might otherwise not have the opportunity. For example, students in remote areas or those with disabilities that limit their mobility can use VR technology to access educational resources and experiences that were previously unavailable to them.
However, there are still challenges (like cost of equipment, limited content) that need to be addressed in order to fully realize the potential of VR technology in education. Despite these challenges, the potential benefits of VR technology in education are enormous. As technology advances and becomes more affordable, we can expect wider adoption and integration into the education system.
Q3 What motivated you to start iXR Labs and how do you see the company’s role in shaping the future of education?
The motivation behind the creation of iXR Labs is rooted in our observation of the use of immersive technologies in industry for employee training. We saw the immense potential of VR technology in enhancing the learning experience and improving learning outcomes. However, we have found that this technology is not widely used in the education sector, especially in universities.
We envisioned iXR Labs as an opportunity to bridge this gap and introduce VR technology to universities and colleges. We wanted to offer innovative and effective solutions that integrate with the conventional education system to address this problem. Our goal is to help educators use VR technology to create a more engaging and memorable learning experience for students.
At iXR Labs, we see our role in shaping the future of education as pioneers in introducing immersive technologies into the mainstream education system. Our vision is to provide students with the tools and resources to experience and interact with digital content in ways that are not possible with traditional teaching methods.
We believe that integrating VR technology into the education system can help address some of the challenges traditional teaching methods face, such as: B. Withdrawal and lack of attachment. By providing students with an immersive and interactive learning experience, we hope to improve learning outcomes and prepare them for the future of work.
Q4 What are some of the key challenges and opportunities the VR industry needs to address to better serve the needs of educators and students?
While VR is recognized as a valuable tool for education, there are still some key challenges that need to be addressed to better serve the needs of educators and students. Some of these challenges include:
Cost: The cost of VR equipment and software is still relatively high, making it difficult for some educational institutions to adopt them. As the technology becomes more widespread and production costs fall, we can expect more affordable options to materialize: Integrating VR technology into the curriculum requires significant planning and resources. Educational institutions need to invest in teacher training and support to effectively integrate VR technology into their classrooms Content Creation: Creating VR educational content requires different skills than traditional content creation. Educators need to be trained to create engaging and effective VR accessibility: While VR technology has the potential to bring education to people who might otherwise not have the opportunity, accessibility challenges still need to be addressed, such as: . B. Ensuring VR experiences are accessible to people with disabilities.
In addition to these challenges, there are also some important opportunities for the VR industry to better serve the needs of educators and students. These opportunities include:
Personalization: VR technology enables personalized learning experiences that can address individual learning styles and needs. This can help improve learning outcomes and engagement. Collaboration: VR technology can facilitate collaboration and teamwork by allowing students to work together in a virtual simulation. VR technology can be used to create realistic simulations of real scenarios, giving students hands-on experiences in a safe and controlled environment. Flexibility: VR technology can provide students with more flexible learning options, e.g. B. Remote access to educational resources and
