Project description
Extending reality skywards with innovative drone-based technology
Coupling high-end drones with augmented, virtual and mixed reality technologies creates new possibilities in sectors such as public safety and security, construction, industrial inspection and entertainment. Many companies worldwide currently offer technologically advanced solutions for drones or augmented, virtual and mixed reality. However, very few are able to combine the best functionalities of both technologies. In response, the EU-funded Xtend project proposes a disruptive drone-based extended reality technology that combines virtual elements with real-life environments, offering a unique mixed reality experience. The breakthrough technology’s technical, commercial and financial viability will be assessed and a business plan developed for its successful market uptake. By enhancing 360° real-time visualisation and data analysis, the innovation could promote more effective and informed decision-making.
Objective
Coupling high-end drones with forefront computing technologies like the augmented/virtual/mixed reality opens up unprecedented possibilities in several fast-growing sectors like public safety and security, construction and industrial inspection, entertainment, to name just a few. Currently, there are several companies worldwide offering technologically advanced solutions for drones or VR/AR/MR reality, but little to none is able to merge the best functionalities of both technologies like we did at Xtend Reality Expansion Ltd. Indeed, our breakthrough innovation comes from the development of a disruptive drone-based extended reality technology that combines virtual elements into real-life environments offering a unique mixed reality experience. Firstly addressed, in the short-term, to the Public Safety and security market, Extender will provide an unprecedented opportunity to improve productivity and safety of operators, enhancing 360° real-time visualization and data-analysis, ultimately allowing for more effective and informed decision making. Our solution is at TRL6 and we aim to scale it up to TRL9 to commercialize the platform with top performance ratings from end-users and stakeholders by 2021. By applying to Phase 1 SME Instrument, we aim to carry out a feasibility study to verify the technical, commercial and financial viability of our solution and develop a business plan to drive its successful market uptake. Indeed, according to our realistic trading projections we will achieve approx. €12M total revenues by the 5th year (ROI = 3) counting on the rapid expansion both drone and immersive reality technologies are experiencing.
Fields of science
- social scienceseconomics and businesseconomicsproduction economicsproductivity
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringroboticsautonomous robotsdrones
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencessoftwaresoftware applicationsvirtual reality
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1Coordinator
TEL AVIV
Israel
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.