XR Symposium
for GLOBAL SOUTH
Frugal Tech Innovations Transforming Hardware and Software Solutions for XR in the Global South
About the Symposium
The eXperiential Technology Innovation Centre (XTIC) at IIT Madras will host the International XR Symposium 2027, building on the success of the inaugural 2025 edition. Continuing last year’s focus on frugal, scalable innovation, the 2027 symposium brings together researchers, industry leaders, startups, and policymakers to advance extended reality (XR) technologies, Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Mixed Reality (MR), and haptics, for the Global South.
The XR Symposium for Global South brings together researchers, technology innovators, industry professionals, educators and practitioners to explore how Extended Reality can be made more accessible, practical and impactful through frugal hardware and software solutions.
The symposium focuses on emerging approaches in Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, Mixed Reality and Haptics, with particular emphasis on solutions that address real-world needs and constraints in the Global South.
Through talks, demonstrations, discussions and collaborative interactions, the symposium provides a platform to exchange ideas, showcase innovations and explore opportunities for future collaboration.
Why This Symposium?
Extended Reality is evolving rapidly across research, industry, education and healthcare. However, the availability, affordability and accessibility of XR technologies remain important challenges, particularly in emerging and resource-constrained environments.
The symposium brings these challenges into focus by exploring practical approaches to developing XR technologies that are affordable, scalable, context-aware and relevant to the needs of the Global South.
Frugal Innovation
Exploring cost-effective hardware and software approaches that can make XR technologies more accessible.
Context-Driven Solutions
Developing XR experiences around real-world challenges, users and environments across the Global South.
Collaboration & Knowledge Exchange
Connecting researchers, innovators, industry and practitioners to share ideas and identify opportunities for collaboration.
What to Expect
The symposium brings together researchers, innovators, industry professionals and practitioners through talks, demonstrations and discussions focused on practical and context-aware XR solutions. The event also provides opportunities for knowledge exchange and collaboration around the development and application of accessible XR technologies.
Focus on Practical XR Innovation
The symposium explores how Extended Reality technologies can move beyond experimentation into practical applications. Particular emphasis is placed on approaches that consider affordability, accessibility, scalability and the specific needs of users and environments across the Global South.
Symposium Highlights
Take a look at moments from the previous XR Symposium, bringing together researchers, innovators and practitioners to explore the possibilities of Extended Reality. Explore the XR Symposium 2025 edition for event highlights, press coverage and more.
ORGANIZERS
- Steven LaValle, Anna LaValle, University of Oulu, Finland
- Conrad Tucker, Carnegie Mellon University, USA
- Thenkurussi (Kesh) Kesavadas, SUNY, Albany, USA
- Obijiofor Aginam, UNESCO MGIEP, India
- Manivannan Muniyandi, IIT Madras, India
THEME & VISION
- XR for the Global South — Advancing accessible and impactful XR innovation for emerging economies.
- Frugal XR Innovation — Developing cost-effective, context-aware hardware and software solutions for XR.
- From Research to Real-World Impact — Translating research prototypes into deployable solutions for education, healthcare, skills training, and public services.
- Aligned with National Priorities — Applying XR across space, ocean, mobility, sustainability, and AVGC-XR.
SPONSORSHIPS
- Title Sponsor — ₹10 L
Exclusive naming rights, prime keynote/inaugural slot, premium exhibition space, maximum branding & complimentary registrations. - Platinum Sponsor — ₹5 L
Prominent branding, keynote/panel opportunity, large exhibition space, sponsored tech talk & complimentary registrations. - Gold Sponsor — ₹3 L
Event branding, speaking/case-study opportunity, standard demo space & complimentary registrations. - Silver Sponsor — ₹2 L
Branding on event materials, demo/showcase space, event mention & limited complimentary registrations. - Bronze / Supporting Sponsor — ₹1 L
Logo visibility, programme listing, sponsor recognition & opportunity to distribute promotional material.
SPEAKERS
- Plenary Speaker: Prof. Henry Fuchs, Professor, University of North Carolina
- Keynote Speaker: Prof.Swami Manohar, Microsoft Research
More speakers to be announced soon
Symposium registration charges
- Students: ₹1,000
- Startups, Academics : ₹5,000
- Industries, Government agencies, CAVE member stall: ₹10,000
Rates mentioned above are exclusive of GST