The 3EALITY hub at High Tech Campus Eindhoven aims to accelerate innovation in spatial computing, digital twin technologies, and augmented reality. At the hub’s official opening, Philipp Werle, Innovation Manager Emerging Tech, reflected on this new venture’s motivations and regional significance. “We silently opened during the summer, and now I’m thrilled to welcome everyone here today,” Werle said, highlighting the hub’s focus on the future of spatial computing and its potential impact on society and business.
Werle emphasized that significant tech companies worldwide are investing heavily in hardware for spatial computing. “We’re moving towards a future where augmented reality (AR) glasses will become as common as smartphones. This isn’t science fiction anymore,” he said, referencing a recent article in Süddeutsche Zeitung, one of Germany’s most prominent newspapers. As these technologies evolve, Werle explained, devices like the Apple Vision Pro, while currently bulky, are rapidly becoming more compact and user-friendly, bringing this future closer to reality.
One of the key reasons for establishing the 3EALITY Hub in Eindhoven, Werle said, is the region’s growing importance in the development of AR and spatial computing. “Many wonder why we’re doing this here instead of in the U.S., but the truth is, the seeds for this ecosystem have already been planted here,” he explained. Werle pointed to Meta’s acquisition of Luxexcel, a High Tech Campus-based company specializing in AR lens development, and Snap’s purchase of GrAI Matter Labs, another campus resident working on AR hardware.
Hotbed
Eindhoven, Werle noted, has quietly become a hotbed for AR innovation. Local companies like Dimenco, known for their 3D displays, have caught the attention of U.S. firms eager to lead the charge in AR and 3D internet technologies. “Dimenco was acquired to advance 3D display technology globally. Other companies like SCIL and Morphotonics, which are also based here, are making significant strides in AR lens production. Morphotonics, in particular, is positioning itself as a key player in both the 3D gaming and smart glasses markets,” he added.
The 3EALITY Hub fosters collaboration between hardware manufacturers, software developers, and end-user companies. Werle emphasized the importance of building an end-to-end ecosystem. “We see strong hardware expertise here, but software development is something we need to cultivate further,” he said, highlighting the hub’s mission to support software companies and help them scale.
Among the early residents of the 3EALITY Hub are companies already working on innovative use cases for AR and spatial computing. Werle introduced some of them during the event. “VRinschool is working on a virtual reality solution for schools, while Naext has just rebranded and focuses on hospital use cases. New applications for these technologies are emerging everywhere you look,” he said.
3EALITY Hub’s role in this ecosystem is not just about providing space; it’s also about building a community of innovators. Werle pointed out that collaboration with global tech leaders like NVIDIA is underway. “We’re partnering with larger companies to support startups and scale-ups. NVIDIA has been a strong partner, providing local computing power for AI simulations. It’s all about creating growth opportunities.”
The hub plans to extend its reach beyond tech alone, partnering with creative industries like the Design Academy Eindhoven. One current project involves creating a digital twin of part of the High Tech Campus, blending design and technology to explore the future of spatial computing in real-world environments.
Physical
Finally, Werle asked everybody a question: Why build a physical hub for a digital experience in the first place? “Plain and simple: you need to bring people together if you want to innovate. Unexpected meetings are the ones that take you further.”
Collaboration
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