Lethbridge Polytechnic’s START Centre signs development agreement with VR company Virtualware
Lethbridge Polytechnic’s Spatial Technologies Applied Research and Training (START) Centre has signed a collaborative agreement with Virtualware to develop and showcase extended reality (XR) demonstrations and environments on a proprietary platform called VIROO.
“As applied researchers in extended and virtual reality (VR), START’s mission is to show industry the value of effectively implementing VR and XR technologies in their operations,” says Tyler Heaton, industry liaison and research advisor at START. “This partnership expands our toolbox and grows our capacity to demonstrate new applications of this technology across new sectors.”
Virtualware, headquartered in Bilbao, Spain, is a global pioneer in 3D-driven enterprise software with operations in Hamilton, Ont. Through this partnership, START will work closely with Virtualware’s team to develop immersive demonstration content across multiple high-impact sectors, including public safety, construction, public health, skilled trades, and more.
The collaboration will expand START’s suite of enterprise-ready XR solutions by harnessing the robust capabilities and tools of VIROO — an on-campus environment purpose-built to develop, run, and refine immersive demonstrations. As the first of its kind in western Canada, the VIROO space will accelerate co-creation with industry partners, enabling teams and students to showcase XR projects, validate real-world scenarios and assess technical and deployment requirements — all in a wireless environment.
“This collaboration positions Lethbridge Polytechnic’s START Centre at the forefront of immersive technology innovation,” says Michael Rosas, president of Virtualware North America. “As the first VIROO room in Alberta, this facility serves as a powerful catalyst for collaborative XR, demonstrating how immersive solutions can unlock new innovation across educational institutions and industry. By working with Lethbridge Polytechnic, we are creating meaningful, industry-aligned applications that not only prepare learners for the future but also provide a scalable roadmap for the province to drive workforce development and operational excellence across critical sectors.”
By combining industry needs with advanced XR technologies, the initiative will deliver practical and scalable applications that enhance training, simulation, and research-led projects while being grounded in strong educational principles. The goal for each demonstration is to maximize learning outcomes, engagement, and measurable real-world impact.
“As we continue to serve as a problem-solving resource for industry, we now look to bring students into each step of the process,” adds Heaton. “VIROO is a one-of-a-kind resource they can engage with as part of their education, from content creation to integration of demonstrations in existing courses.”
Through this collaboration, START and Virtualware aim to demonstrate a clear pathway from early-stage prototypes to fully deployed, enterprise-grade XR solutions as START continues to expand its industry partnerships with companies interested in applying VR and XR across education, training and industry.
Lethbridge Polytechnic’s START Centre is part of the institution’s Centre for Applied Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CARIE), which directly engages in applied research projects that tackle real-world challenges with immediate and practical impacts. In partnership with industry, community organizations, researchers, and students, CARIE’s mandate is to deliver results that solve today’s problems and drive tomorrow’s innovation.
To learn more about applied research activities and projects at Lethbridge Polytechnic, visit: lethpolytech.ca/CARIE.
