Ohio University, HTC VIVE, and Virtualware Launch Immersive Digital Enterprise Hub to Power Manufacturing Innovation in Ohio
Extended Reality | Business
5 minutes read
Ohio University has partnered with HTC VIVE and Virtualware to launch the Digital Enterprise Collaboratory (DEC)—a cutting-edge initiative aimed at transforming how manufacturing, research, and workforce training are done in the state. The DEC will equip the university with immersive collaboration and simulation capabilities using HTC's extended reality (XR) technologies, addressing the growing demand for advanced manufacturing skills and innovation.
With support from HTC’s XR hardware and Virtualware’s enterprise platform VIROO, the DEC will serve as a shared digital infrastructure connecting Ohio University’s campuses in Athens and Dayton. This enables real-time remote 3D collaboration between university researchers, government partners, and industry stakeholders like Intel and the U.S. Air Force—without the need for travel. “Ohio University is positioning itself as a leader in Industry 4.0,” said Daniel O’Brien, President Americas at HTC VIVE.
“By integrating XR into our research and training programs, we’re preparing the next generation of engineers to solve real-world challenges collaboratively and spatially,” said Scott Miller, Associate Dean for Industry Partnerships at Ohio University’s Russ College of Engineering and Technology.
Ohio’s manufacturing sector, which accounts for 17.5% of the state’s GDP, is rapidly evolving. Companies like Intel and Anduril are building new high-tech factories requiring thousands of new workers. The DEC will help meet this demand by expanding Ohio University’s training and certification programs with immersive simulations and digital twins. "Our VIROO platform integrated with HTC’s XR solutions provides Ohio University with infrastructure that can be used for many different purposes and for many years to come,” said John Cunningham, President of Virtualware USA.
Importantly, the program addresses a key challenge: bridging geographic gaps between research and manufacturing partners. With fully equipped VR labs in Athens and Dayton connected through VIROO, users can design, prototype, and collaborate on projects both on-site and remotely.
The DEC will officially open on May 5 in Athens and May 7 in Dayton as part of the Dayton Digital Transformation Summit, a regional event focused on the future of manufacturing and workforce development.
