The MASTER project, an ambitious initiative funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe programme, is proud to announce the commencement of its Second Open Call. This call targets educational institutions and organizations intent on pioneering the future of Extended Reality (XR) in educational domains, specifically focusing on the realms of robotics and manufacturing. By inviting participants to contribute and experiment, the project aims to validate cutting-edge XR technologies within authentic educational settings, thereby enhancing the effectiveness and engagement of robotics education through immersive digital experiences.
Building on the success garnered from its initial open call, the MASTER project now pushes further into the frontier of XR integration. The project’s core ambition is to establish an open XR platform tailored to the intricate demands of robotics education in manufacturing environments. This platform is not solely a technology repository but an innovative sandbox fostering the creation, management, and dissemination of immersive content designed to demystify robotic systems for learners across disciplines. Through this platform, educators and content creators can construct highly interactive, intuitive experiences that transcend traditional learning methodologies.
Extended Reality, an umbrella term encompassing virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR), offers unparalleled opportunities in robotics training. MASTER leverages these technologies to create safe, flexible robotic environments where learners can engage with virtual robotic entities, manipulate machinery, and simulate manufacturing processes without physical risk. This capacity is crucial, given the increasing complexity and precision demanded in modern manufacturing plants. XR’s spatial computing capabilities bring a new dimension to understanding robotics, empowering users to visualize data flows, mechanical movements, and sensor integrations in ways unachievable through conventional textbooks or video tutorials.
One of MASTER’s groundbreaking contributions lies in its user-centric design philosophy. The platform is architected to accommodate non-expert programmers, thereby lowering the barriers to content creation. This democratization means educators and domain experts, who may lack coding proficiency, can still design and deploy XR educational content tailored to their unique instructional goals. By integrating advanced interaction mechanisms and ensuring usability, MASTER fosters an ecosystem where robotics education becomes more accessible and engaging, catalyzing innovation in teaching methodologies.
The Second Open Call opens from April 7 until June 12, 2025, inviting eligible applicants to partake in this transformative journey. Financial incentives amounting up to €100,000 are available to successful applicants, providing critical resources to develop and pilot XR educational experiences. Beyond funding, the selected participants gain privileged access to MASTER’s sophisticated XR tools and benefit from tailored mentorship programs. This comprehensive support system ensures that innovative project ideas do not remain theoretical but evolve into practical applications with tangible educational impacts.
Eligibility criteria are inclusive yet strategically structured to foster collaboration and innovation. Qualified applicants encompass educational institutions, universities, research bodies, and non-profit organizations engaged in education and content creation. Additionally, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) working in relevant XR or robotics fields may apply, enjoying the opportunity to contribute pioneering solutions. Although large companies cannot directly participate as applicants, they may engage as challenge providers, injecting real-world industrial problems into the platform to stimulate targeted innovation and problem-solving.
The XR technologies validated under the MASTER project are not only remarkable for their immersive capabilities but also for the integration of advanced sensors and machinery models emulating real manufacturing plant conditions. By simulating robotics scenarios within virtual environments that accurately reflect operational constraints and industrial protocols, the platform affords a level of realism essential for robust educational outcomes. Learners can thus experience intricately coordinated processes like robotic arm manipulation, sensor feedback interpretation, and collaborative human-robot interactions in a virtual setting with unprecedented fidelity.
Importantly, the MASTER open call facilitates synergy between academia, industry, and technology developers, crafting a vibrant ecosystem that accelerates the adoption of XR in manufacturing education. This convergence ensures that the educational content developed is not only theoretically sound but also enriched by practical insights from industrial partners. As a result, trainees acquire skills and knowledge aligned with current industry standards, preparing them for real-world application and career advancement in high-tech manufacturing environments.
Moreover, the open platform fosters continuous content expansion. By enabling a community-driven approach, educators and developers can share, adapt, and enhance XR learning materials. This dynamic library grows organically, reflecting evolving educational needs and technological advancements. Consequently, the MASTER initiative does not merely deliver a static solution but establishes a living resource supporting lifelong learning and professional development in the robotics and manufacturing sectors.
The digital transformation in education is rapidly gaining momentum, and projects like MASTER exemplify how immersive technologies can catalyze this change. With the proliferation of XR devices becoming more accessible and cost-effective, integrating these technologies into curricula is no longer a futuristic ideal but an imminent reality. MASTER’s strategic focus on robotics and industrial manufacturing addresses critical skill gaps, responding to the pressing demand for a workforce proficient in advanced manufacturing technologies.
A key aspect of the MASTER project is its alignment with EU policy objectives aimed at fostering digital inclusion and technological innovation within its member states and associated countries. By offering the Open Call exclusively to legally established entities within these jurisdictions, the project supports regional innovation ecosystems, enhances academic-industrial collaboration, and reinforces Europe’s global competitiveness in XR and robotics education.
To track the progress and seize opportunities, interested parties are encouraged to consult the MASTER portal, where the full details of the Second Open Call, including deadlines, application guidelines, and informational webinars, are hosted. The portal serves as a comprehensive hub, centralizing communication and resources to facilitate a smooth application and project development process.
Additionally, stakeholders can follow the project’s latest updates and community engagement through MASTER’s dedicated LinkedIn page, where interactive discussions, announcements, and collaborative showcases further enrich the project’s impact and visibility within the international XR and robotics education communities.
In summation, the MASTER project’s Second Open Call stands as a landmark initiative poised to redefine robotics education through immersive XR technologies. By bridging cutting-edge research, practical applications, and collaborative innovation, it lays the groundwork for a new era of experiential learning that is interactive, accessible, and aligned with the demands of tomorrow’s manufacturing landscape.
Subject of Research: Extended Reality (XR) Technologies in Robotics and Manufacturing Education
Article Title: MASTER Project Launches Second Open Call to Transform Robotics Education through XR
News Publication Date: April 7, 2025
Web References:
Keywords: Virtual reality, Industrial production, Manufacturing equipment, Manufacturing industry, Manufacturing plants, Machinery, Sensors, Robots, Manufacturing
