An augmented reality center will open at Rochester Hills-based Oakland University’s School of Engineering and Computer Science through a collaboration with Detroit’s College for Creative Studies and regional industry partners.
The center launched Tuesday and will be built over the summer with the goal to open by the fall in the Engineering Center. It will offer augmented reality, which superimposes digital images and data on objects in real time, and provide opportunities for students to work alongside faculty and industry partners in applying the technology to manufacturing.
Augmented reality allows users to merge the physical world with digital data. It is widely used in the gaming industry and is expected to create cost effective and efficient solutions in manufacturing.
The founding partners will serve on an Industrial Advisory Board with Oakland faculty and offer ideas for research, training, and workforce development that can be implemented at the center.
“Advancing augmented reality will prepare companies in our region to be more competitive in the global marketplace and more successful in achieving goals that are part of the fourth industrial revolution,” says Louay Chamra, dean of the School of Engineering and Computer Science. “People often see STEM and industrial design as separate fields, but we create powerful opportunities when we bring these subjects together synergistically to improve efficiency and advance industry all around us.”
Founding industry partners include ABB Inc., AM General, Continental, General Motors Co., Hirotec America, KUKA Robotics, Magna International, MAHLE Industries, Rave Computers, Siemens, and the U.S. Army’s Ground Vehicle Systems Center in Warren.
Epic Games is providing support through its Epic MegaGrants Program, a $100 million initiative designed to service and assist game developers, enterprise professionals, media and entertainment creators, students, educators, and tool developers.
