XREN

Extended reality tools to support learning activities in engineering

Project category: Cooperation partnerships in school education (KA220-HED), Erasmus+ Programme

Project reference: 2023-1-EE01-KA220-HED-000158491

Project duration: September 2023 - August 2026

Goals of the Project: The main objective of XREN is to enhance the digital skills of young engineers, with a special focus on XR technologies and support the use of XR in higher education courses in engineering. XR provides substantial assistance to educators and instructors who aim to integrate these technologies into their teaching. Immersive and collaborative XR experiences prove highly effective in enhancing learning by delivering engaging content and improving comprehension as students engage with challenging technical and design tasks.
Workflows: The project focuses on the design, implementation, test and validation of XR based workflows to support learning activities in engineering. A special focus is given to sustainability with re-manufacturing processes aimed at repairing and recycling products. The workflows, including specifications on the intended learning outcomes, the data and the associated tools, will be documented and disseminated.
Co-design labs and workshops: Students from the different partners institutions will take part in XR remote learning co-design labs, where they will develop and test the XR learning workflows. Joined workshops will involve students and tutors in a full immersion hands on learning experience taking advantage of XR technologies.

Partners

XR leaning workflows and tools

XREN Book

The XREN Book is a practical resource for integrating Extended Reality (XR) into engineering education. It brings together guidelines, XR-based learning workflows, tools, real-world use cases, workshops, and assessment methods developed through the XREN project, providing educators and learners with examples and resources for applying immersive technologies to engineering teaching and training.

Open the XREN Book

XREN Tools Repository

The XREN Tools Repository provides access to the digital tools and technical resources developed within the XREN project. It complements the XREN Book by making project outputs available for exploration, reuse, and further development, supporting the practical application of XR technologies in engineering education and training.

Browse the repository

Latest news

XREN at XRM 2026 conference

Project dissemination contributions at the International XR-Metaverse 2026 conference in Tallinn, June 16-19, 2026

The XREN project proudly marked one of its final dissemination milestones at the International XR-Metaverse Conference (XRM 2026) in Tallinn, Estonia. The conference provided an excellent opportunity to present the educational methodologies and research developed throughout the project. XREN partners delivered three presentations covering XR tools for smart manufacturing, virtual reality for sequential control learning, and immersive XR learning experiences in higher education. The project was also featured in the conference exhibition area, where the XREN stand welcomed attendees and facilitated discussions on the project's results and impact. As XREN enters its final phase, we extend our sincere thanks to our host, TalTech – Tallinn University of Technology, our project partners, and all the students, educators, and researchers who have contributed to advancing the integration of XR technologies into engineering education. We thank everyone who joined us in Tallinn and helped make this event a success. More updates on the XREN project's final activities will be shared soon.

Fourth XR Learning Workshop

International workshop, Belgrade, May 25–27, 2026

As part of our recent transnational meeting, the XREN project successfully held its 4th XR Learning Workshop, hosted by the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Belgrade. Over three days, students and project partners explored the practical applications of Extended Reality (XR) in engineering through hands-on sessions on Unity VR development, digital twins for electro-pneumatic systems, and robotic digital shadows for industrial assembly processes. The workshop concluded with student presentations showcasing the knowledge and skills gained throughout the training. We extend our sincere thanks to Prof. Zivana Jakovljevic, Dr. Kashif Mahmood, Lazar Matijasevic, and Dr. Sara Arlati for their contributions, as well as our partners—TalTech – Tallinn University of Technology, the Department of Mechanics at Politecnico di Milano, and STIIMA-CNR—and all participating students for making this Erasmus+ learning experience a success.

XREN at EUROXR Summer school

Workshop, Lecco, July 2nd - 5th 2025

The third XREN Project Students’ Workshop and Joint Learning Lab took place in Lecco, Italy, from 2–5 July 2025, hosted by STIIMA-CNR with support from the Politecnico di Milano’s Department of Mechanics. Integrated with the EuroXR Summer School, the event advanced the project’s mission to promote XR-based education and collaboration. Students from TalTech, the University of Belgrade, and Politecnico di Milano took part in two consecutive hands-on workshops focused on XR applications in engineering. Under the guidance of Dr. Walter Terkaj, Prof. Marcello Urgo, Dr. Sara Arlati, and other contributors, participants explored workflows, design practices, and immersive application development. Feedback was highly positive, with students valuing the mix of theory and practice, international collaboration, and networking opportunities. The experience strengthened ties between institutions and reaffirmed the importance of XR in shaping future learning environments.

Second XR Learning Workshop at Politecnico di Milano

International workshop, Milan, May 19th - 21st

For the second consecutive year, students from Tallinn University of Technology, the University of Belgrade, and Politecnico di Milano participated in a full-immersion workshop on Extended Reality for Engineering Education. Under the guidance of Prof. Colombo, Prof. Urgo, PhD candidate Alessandro Stefanone, and other collaborators, the students explored best practices in XR-based workflows, design methodologies, and the development of immersive, interactive applications.

International Workshop at TalTech!

International workshop, Tallinn, June 10-12

On 10th of June project partners and students gathered at TalTech, Tallinn for a three-day international workshop on Extended Reality for Engineering Education. During the workshop the students from Italy (POLIMI), Serbia (UBelg) and Estonia (TalTech) have joined forces and dived into data driven manufacturing workflows and web-based solutions to control robotic systems through XR interfaces.

Kickoff meeting at TalTech

During a two day project meeting kickoff session the XREN partners have been structuring the workflows to be developed during the upcoming activities. Co-Design labs organisation and physical workshops scheduling have been one of the main discussion topics.