Edge Hill to unveil 3D virtual environment facility CAVE

Edge Hill University is about to reveal the CAVE – an immersive 3D virtual environment forming part of its new £13m Technology Hub.

The four-screen CAVE, which stands for cave automatic virtual environment, will allow students and companies to fully immerse themselves in a virtual room that replicates reality using real data.

In the CAVE, users can experience real-life scenarios from emergency situations to complex surgery and lab reactions in 4k resolution.

The Technology Hub that houses the facility, built thanks to £3m in support from the Lancashire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), also includes biotechnology labs, big data research servers and a lecture theatre.

Future plans for the Hub include giant 3D interactive teaching screens and a programmable child-sized robot.

The centre will look to target employers across Lancashire and beyond, particularly those in the digital, creative and food manufacturing industries.

Further, a ‘Tech Sandpit’ will bring together businesses and students to discuss challenges and develop their ideas using expertise from across computer science and biotechnology.

Edge Hill University’s pro vice-chancellor, Mark Allanson, said: “Having this dedicated facility for technology shows the University’s commitment to technological innovation, computing and bioscience and reflects our success in producing employable, highly skilled graduates who contribute to the regional economy and beyond.

“These cutting-edge facilities and systems are an asset for the whole community and will help strengthen our partnerships within business and increase our research capabilities.”

He added: “Our collaboration with Lancashire Enterprise Partnership will help us to focus on regional skills needs.”

Graham Cowley, the chair of the LEPs Growth Deal Management Board, commented: “The LEP is investing around £30m in a network of new, modern training facilities which will enable thousands of local people to improve their employability and provide the skilled workforce needed to achieve our ambitious strategic plan for growth.

“We’ve prioritised investing in key areas of the economy such as the creative and digital sector, which already employs tens of thousands of people, is growing rapidly and is beginning to experience skills shortages.”

He continued: “Supporting world-class facilities such as Edge Hill’s Technology Hub will ensure we have a pipeline of graduates with the cutting-edge creative and digital skills needed to help transform Lancashire’s economy and drive growth for years to come.”

The former chairman, president and CEO of tech firm ARM Holdings, entrepreneur Sir Robin Saxby, will launch the Tech Hub on October 19.