The initiative “Interaktive Systeme in virtuellen und realen Räumen – Innovative Technologien für die digitale Gesellschaft (VAR2)” is a funding program launched by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) on March 23, 2020. It aims to support research and development projects in human-technology interaction, focusing on mixed reality (MR), virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR) technologies to enhance social participation, education, and communication.
The VAR2 program supports projects that develop interactive systems combining physical and virtual realities. Key objectives include:
Enhancing immersion and user experience in MR environments.
Facilitating multi-user applications for collaborative tasks.
Promoting social and cultural participation through technology.
Developing applications in education, healthcare, and urban planning.
The program emphasizes user-centered design, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the integration of ethical, legal, and social considerations in technology development.
A notable component of VAR2 is the XR-Interakt Living Lab, which serves as a collaborative platform for the funded projects, facilitating knowledge exchange, evaluation, and dissemination of results.
In June 2024, the program concluded with a final meeting in Berlin, where 15 research consortia presented their demonstrators, showcasing advancements in XR technologies for various societal applications.
Contact Information
Website: https://www.interaktive-technologien.de/foerderung/bekanntmachungen/var2
Managing Authority: Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)
Project Management Agency: VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik GmbH
Email: info@interaktive-technologien.de
Phone: +49 30 310078-0
For detailed information on individual projects and outcomes, visit the VAR2 project results page.