The HEAT EU Horizon project held its General Assembly on February 17-18, 2026, at Università degli Studi Roma Tre in Rome, bringing together European partners to advance hybrid extended reality technologies for education, culture, and entertainment. The event showcased progress on the innovative Pilot XREL, a multi-sensory learning experience blending in-person and VR exploration of the Solar System.
Partners from across Europe gathered for two intensive days of collaboration, discussion, and strategic planning under sunny Roman skies. Hosted by Università degli Studi Roma Tre, the assembly highlighted HEAT’s mission to transform learning and cultural engagement through hybrid XR solutions that seamlessly merge physical and digital environments using holography, multi-sensory feedback, and immersive technologies.
HEAT – Hybrid Extended Reality – develops cutting-edge tools to create engaging, interactive experiences that redefine how we learn, create, and connect. A major focus was the Pilot XREL, and advanced hybrid learning platform combining in-person instruction with VR simulations for an unparalleled educational journey through the Solar System. VIS contributed expertise in immersive science communication, demonstrating how XR can make complex astronomical concepts accessible and exciting for students and educators alike. The sessions showed how hybrid XR transforms traditional lectures into dynamic, multi-sensory adventures, fostering deeper understanding and engagement.
The event generated fresh ideas and strengthened partnerships among researchers, technologists, scientists, artists, and communicators united by HEAT’s shared vision. Discussions emphasized the project’s potential to revolutionize education and public outreach across Europe.