The University of Portsmouth’s new, full kitted-out £7 million Centre for Creative and Immersive Extended Reality (CCIXR) has officially opened today (Wednesday 4 May), after months of development and a soft-launch last October.
CCIXR is the UK’s first purpose-built facility to bring together a whole suite of the very latest XR technologies under one roof to support innovation in virtual, augmented and extended realities. The Centre offers world-class XR training, research and development, addressing a critical skills shortage in this fast-moving industry and supporting the creation of high-value jobs regionally, nationally and beyond.
The facility is also set to work with businesses and organisations to improve understanding of and widen access to XR and its potential across a wide range of applications, from simulators, training tools and immersive visitor attractions, to the Metaverse and art and performance.
CCIXR experts have already worked with organisations including the Royal Navy and Royal Shakespeare Company, and have supported over 100 others with information and training in XR technologies through the Enabling XR Enterprise (eXRe) project, funded by the Government’s £220m UK Community Renewal Fund. CCIXR itself was funded by investment from the University and £3.6 million from Solent LEP’s Local Growth Deal.
The University partnered with industry-leading companies to ensure that CCIXR is equipped with the very latest XR technology – both now and in the future – across its facilities, which include:
• Motion Capture (MoCap) Studio
• Smart Stage and full Virtual Production and Mixed Reality Studio
• Photogrammetry & Scanning Studio
• Volumetric Video Studio
• XR Studio
• Music Technology and Sound Studios (including Dolby Atmos)
• Projection Mapping
• Spatial Computing Lab
• Game Development
• Digital Coding Development Spaces
• Meeting & Conferencing Facilities
“The University of Portsmouth is proud to have developed the CCIXR in collaboration with the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership,” said professor Graham Galbraith, vice-chancellor of the University of Portsmouth. “This is a world-leading facility that places us at the forefront of innovation in virtual and extended reality, which will be at the heart of the next generation of digital technologies that will transform future work and leisure activities.
“This is an excellent example of how, as a global University, our work with regional partners including Solent LEP, Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, and the Solent Freeport puts the University at the heart of our region’s growth and development.”
Professor Trevor Keeble, dean of the Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries, added: “CCIXR has been established to bring innovation, research, and development in the creative technologies of virtual, augmented and mixed reality to a range of different industrial and commercial sectors.
“Our well-established reputation for industry collaboration allows us to develop the creative application of cutting-edge digital innovation and the highly-skilled graduate workforce that our future economy will need.”
