Extended Reality technologies are rapidly transforming how industries train professionals, deliver healthcare, and build new digital solutions. To highlight the role of women in driving this transformation, the Women in XR webinar series hosted its third edition: Women Shaping the Future of XR.
The event brought together innovators and researchers from XR2Learn Open Call projects and the Women TechEU programme, showcasing how immersive technologies are being applied across sectors such as healthcare, industry, automotive manufacturing, and logistics.
The session was moderated by Regina van Tongeren, marketing strategist and educator working at the intersection of AI, immersive media, and responsible innovation.
XR Applications Across Critical Sectors
Throughout the discussion, panelists presented concrete XR use cases addressing real-world challenges.
Healthcare Training and Digital Therapeutics
Dr. Hanna Rahimi presented the NEONATAL project, which uses Virtual Reality simulations to train healthcare professionals in neonatal resuscitation. With neonatal deaths still accounting for a significant proportion of global child mortality, scalable and accessible training solutions are urgently needed.
Another healthcare-focused innovation was SensiVR, presented by Katarzyna Koba, a digital health platform that uses XR-based interactions to support pediatric rehabilitation for children with neurodevelopmental disorders.
XR for Industrial Training and Workforce Development
Several speakers demonstrated how immersive technologies can transform workforce training.
Jana Pezlar Selecká presented EcoDrive XR, an immersive training solution using real human holograms to support vocational education in electric vehicle manufacturing.
Irene Ioannidou introduced Portal-XR, an immersive training platform combining VR environments, digital twins, and learning analytics to train operators in complex industrial environments.
Similarly, Rachele Rizzioli discussed the X-DE-MAN project, which uses XR technologies to train workers in the safe disassembly of mechatronic products, supporting circular economy principles and sustainable manufacturing.
Women Driving Innovation in XR
Beyond the technologies themselves, the discussion highlighted the importance of visibility, mentorship, and inclusive innovation ecosystems for women in XR and deep-tech sectors.
The panelists shared their personal journeys into XR, the challenges they encountered, and the importance of initiatives such as XR2Learn and Women TechEU in supporting women-led innovation through funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
As the XR ecosystem continues to grow, the speakers emphasized that diverse perspectives will be essential for designing technologies that are ethical, inclusive, and impactful.