The Hochschule Niederrhein's Mobile Extended Reality (MXR) Lab offers a unique experience space for interdisciplinary research and innovation in the fields of extended reality (XR) and interaction with virtual AI assistants. Here we combine expertise in building virtual worlds using augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) to explore the limits of digital technologies and develop interactive, application-oriented and mobile solutions for education, industry and social challenges. The basic equipment was financed by the support association of the Faculty of Business Administration and Economics.

In the MXR Lab, we bring together researchers, students and companies to explore the possibilities of the latest immersive technologies in a practical orientation and develop fields of application. From interactive prototypes and simulations to complex XR applications: Our lab offers a creative environment in which new ideas can grow and innovative solutions can unfold. Our mission is to create an interdisciplinary hub, based on the Faculty of Business Administration and Economics (FB08) and the Institute of Business Process Management and IT (GEMIT), in which we bring together interested parties with different specialisations and perspectives.

The MXR Lab is located on the second floor of the W building on the Mönchengladbach campus in room W203. Further details can be found on the site plan.
We are currently still under construction and would be delighted if you approach us with project, research or study ideas. The lab is also mobile, so that application scenarios and applications can be demonstrated regardless of location.

Research at the MXR Lab - Understanding and shaping virtual worlds

• The Hochschule Niederrhein's MXR Lab is dedicated to researching immersive technologies and their impact on people and society. Our focus is on the investigation of virtual worlds, the design of the metaverse and the social challenges posed by these new technologies.

Core research areas:

• Orientation in virtual worlds:
  How do people find reality anchors in hybrid and virtual environments? We are researching which elements are necessary for users to find their way around immersive worlds and develop trust.
• Interaction with AI assistance systems:
  Our studies analyze how virtual AI agents (e.g. virtual shopping assistants) are perceived and how these interactions influence users' self-perception and identity.
• Gamification and sustainability:
  We are researching how gamification, digital nudging and immersive technologies can be used to playfully sensitize children and young people to environmental issues and promote sustainable behaviour.

• Sociomateriality in virtual shopping worlds:
  Another focus is on the strategic design of virtual sales areas, particularly in the context of AI-supported advisory systems and the textile and clothing industry.

For students - research and practical application combined

The MXR Lab offers students the opportunity to contribute their creative and scientific ideas to the world of Extended Reality (XR). Our lab is particularly open to students of Business Informatics and Computer Science, but interested students from other faculties, such as Faculties of Textile and Clothing Technology, are also welcome to approach us with innovative project proposals.

The Hochschule Niederrhein's MXR Lab is an interdisciplinary research laboratory in the field of business informatics dedicated to researching virtual worlds and their social and individual impact. Our focus is on how people orient themselves in digital environments, which reality anchors they need and how interaction with virtual AI assistants influences their self-perception and identity. Together with our cooperation partners, we analyze and design sustainable approaches for the development of the metaverse.
 

Benefits of working with the MXR Lab:

• Scientific expertise in virtual interaction: with our focus on reality anchors and orientation, we help to make virtual worlds more accessible and user-friendly.
• Studies on human-AI interaction: Our research sheds light on how interaction with AI assistants influences identity and self-perception and what this means for the design of future virtual environments.
• Social responsibility: We investigate the ethical aspects and social challenges of the metaverse and advocate a conscious, user-oriented approach to XR technologies.
• Collaborative research and knowledge exchange: As part of joint projects, workshops and events, we create space for exchange and knowledge transfer between research, business and society.

The MXR Lab offers various forms of collaboration to combine scientific knowledge and practical applications. Our collaboration opportunities include:

• Topics for theses:
  We supervise theses in business informatics and computer science, but are also open to interdisciplinary topics related to immersive technologies, virtual worlds or social issues.
  
• Research projects with students:
  Our Student Innovation Teams (SIT) work on practical orientation projects brought in by companies or research partners. The results flow directly into applied research or concrete solutions.
  
• Surveys and laboratory studies:
  Use the MXR Lab for empirical studies, e.g. on the perception of virtual worlds, reality anchors or human-AI interaction. We provide infrastructure and scientific expertise.
  
• Industrial projects:
  Together we develop prototypes or evaluate immersive technologies with regard to your specific requirements. From virtual showrooms to innovative marketing solutions - we support you.
  
• Externally-funded projects:
  Benefit from our experience in the acquisition and implementation of funded research projects. Together we can develop strategic externally-funded projects that combine scientific excellence and practical applicability.