Speaker

Dr. Raffaele De Amicis, Associate Professor, Oregon State University 

Abstract

In my talk, I will discuss the transformative potential of extended reality (XR) technologies enhancing industrial and occupational processes. By presenting four innovative projects, I will illustrate how XR not only enhances but also redefines task efficiency and educational paradigms across various environments.

Firstly, I will discuss our research work in the domain of Smart Forestry. In this very large project, funded by the U.S Economic Development Agency, my team and I focus on two key areas: designing augmented reality (AR) task guidance systems that display cut-tree locations to improve operational accuracy and safety, and developing digital tools to support the training and education of forestry personnel. Next, I will introduce a Multisensory Training System designed for high-risk work environments. This system integrates multiple sensory inputs to enhance perception and decision-making skills, providing a comprehensive training solution aimed at reducing occupational hazards. The third project showcases the Divertor Tokamak Test (DTT) XR Platform, that foresee my research team involved in an international cooperation with the University of Naples Federico II in a state-of-the-art XR development supporting nuclear fusion research. Specifically, by incorporating 3D CAD models into a virtual immersive environment, the DTT XR Platform allows users to thoroughly explore the tokamak and its subsystems. It also offers interactive experiences tailored to different technical levels, catering to audiences ranging from engineers to educators. Finally, I will present a project funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) that aims to raise awareness of microelectronics technologies among middle and high school students. Through immersive XR experiences, participants-represented by customizable avatars-can navigate the 3D anatomy of an integrated circuit from the atomic to the microscale, creating an engaging and educational journey.

Through these projects, I aim to demonstrate how XR technologies are reshaping industrial and educational ecosystems, enabling innovative solutions for task guidance, training, and exploration.

Bio

Raffaele De Amicis is an Associate Professor at the School of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science at Oregon State University. He has authored three books, contributed to 30 scientific journal papers, and either authored or co-authored over 184 scientific peer-reviewed conference papers. Dr. De Amicis has served as Principle Investigator of several multidisciplinary research projects funded by the European Commission, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, governmental agencies, and industry with an overall budget of >52 million dollars. Since relocating to the USA, his research has been funded through programs sponsored by National Science Foundation, U.S. Economic Development Administration, National Security Agency, Booz Allen Hamilton, Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center, and Oregon State University.