IIT Madras- XTIC Symposium on XR for the Global South

The International Symposium on XR for the Global South Organized by the Experiential Technology Innovation Centre (XTIC) at IIT Madras is an invite-only industry event to be held on November 28, 2025, brings together global technology leaders, Indian enterprises, and startups to pioneer a shared vision — Frugal Tech Innovations Transforming XR Hardware and Software for the Global South.

A Vision for Inclusive XR Leadership

The symposium is a critical initiative under XTIC’s larger roadmap to build the XR Corridor of India by 2047, aligning with the national goals of Viksit Bharat. Backed by IIT Madras’ advanced Haptics Lab and CAVE (Consortium for AR/VR/MR Engineering Mission), the event reinforces XTIC’s mission to integrate AI, machine learning, haptics, and immersive computing with sustainable and scalable XR ecosystems for diverse industries.

A Gathering of Global and National Titans

The event convenes technology giants such as Meta, Qualcomm, Samsung, Sony, and Caterpillar, alongside distinguished Indian corporates including Accenture, Infosys, TCS, Godrej, ISRO, HAL, ADA, and IOCL. Governmental and institutional partners include MeitY, DoT, UNESCO, and the governments of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, solidifying a collaborative bridge between academia, industry, and governance.

Focus Areas of the Symposium

The sessions will explore critical dimensions of XR adoption and impact across the Global South. Key focus areas include:

• Understanding the Human Experience and User Interaction Design

• Quality of Experience and Testing Methodologies

• Best Practices and Industry Guidelines

• Practical Applications for the Global South

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The symposium also highlights XR’s cross-sector potential aligned with India’s national vision — encompassing space and ocean exploration, mobility and sustainability, AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and XR), healthcare and wellbeing, skills training, and XR hardware engineering challenges.

Empowering Through Frugal and Accessible Innovation

At its core, the Symposium champions the ethos of the Global South — driving value-driven innovation, resource-optimized solutions, and accessibly priced hardware and software designed for scale and inclusivity. Speakers and panels will explore themes of Universal Access, User Embrace, and Market Integration, emphasizing cost-efficiency without compromise on technological excellence.

Collaborative Global Partnerships

In partnership with the University of Oulu, Finland, XTIC underscores the importance of international collaboration in developing open XR ecosystems that are interoperable, sustainable, and aligned with global standards. As part of its CAVE and Academic Associate Programs (AAP), XTIC also invites NPTEL learners and XR-focused startups to participate and interact directly with industrial leaders — fostering a new generation of XR creators, engineers, and experience designers.

Toward a Human-Centric XR Future

The First International Symposium on XR for the Global South is not just a conference — it is a statement of intent. India’s blend of technological intellect and accessibility-driven innovation makes it a natural hub for XR development that is inclusive, affordable, and human-centered. Through XTIC’s leadership, the world’s most populous democracy aims to ensure that XR technologies serve everyone — transcending geography, economy, and ability.

In the spirit of collaboration and purpose, the Symposium invites leaders to redefine the immersive frontier — where technology meets empathy, and frugal innovation drives global transformation.

For more details, please visit: https://xtic.org/xr-symposium/