VAR Lab - VAR Lab: The Emerging Technologies Hub

Leveraging the potential of immersive technologies for education, community, and industry in an equitable and sustainable way.

Strategic Units

AI + Machine Learning

Our unit focused on artificial intelligence development

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Immersive Technology

Our makerspace unit focused on immersive creation.

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Autonomous Robotics

Our unit focused on developing robotic and autonomous solutions

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News & Media

FARO Creaform Highlights VAR Lab’s Liberty Bell Digital Preservation Project

FARO Creaform recently highlighted VAR Lab’s work to help bring the Liberty Bell into a high-resolution digital format for America250

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Covers Penn State Behrend’s Liberty Bell Preservation Work

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette featured Penn State Behrend’s work to create high-quality digital scans of the Liberty Bell as part of

The Spatial Heritage Review Features VAR Lab’s Liberty Bell Digital Twin Project

VAR Lab’s Liberty Bell Digital Twin Project was featured in The Spatial Heritage Review, highlighting how Penn State Behrend faculty

VAR at a Glance

Research, teaching, partnerships, and funding impact through January 2026.

Realized Value $2.32M

Total Value Generated

$2.32M

Labor | Facilities | Visiting Scholars

Grants, Awards and Gifts

$1.35M

38 grants funded

Student Positions

247

115 unique | 74% paid

Partnerships

150+

Academia | Industry | Nonprofits

Open Lab Deliverables

196

47% by lead contributor

Return on Investment

$18K

Seed Grant | 2019

12,800%

Conservative ROI

Excludes speculative value

$2.32M

Realized Value | 2026

XR Classroom | 2,715 Total

60

FA21

172

SP22

625

FA22

706

SP23

1,152

FA24

Individuals engaged per semester

2nd-Year Retention Rate

98.6%

VAR Lab Researchers

vs

75.4%

Behrend Average

+23.2 pp above college average

Student Composition

Humanities and SS

45%

Engineering

42%

Business

9%

Science

4%

Undergrad

80%

Graduate

20%

Paid Roles

74%

Funding Breakdown

Grants (38)

$1,185,796

Faculty Effort

~$630,818

Facilities

~$228,249

Visiting Scholars

$162,283

Corporate + Private

$65,895

Student Awards (14)

$41,700

+ $198,654 in proposals under review

AI and Tech | 20+ Tools

LLMs | Generative Media | Vision | Speech | Autonomous Systems

Penn State

7+ campuses | TLT | ICDS | All 4 schools

Higher Ed

USC | Michigan | CMU | Korea | Brazil

Industry

US Steel | Erie Insurance | Adobe | STERIS

Community

Carnegie Science | Hagen | Girl Scouts

Grants and Federal

ECGRA | Fish and Wildlife | Erie Fdn

Projects & Events

Grape Vineyard ScanOrange, Remington Matthew2026-05-20T16:55:06-04:00

Grape Vineyard Scan
Autonomous Robotics, Drone Systems & Aerial Mapping

Grape Vineyard Scan
Autonomous Robotics, Drone Systems & Aerial Mapping
Lake Erie Lighthouse ScanOrange, Remington Matthew2026-05-20T16:43:57-04:00

Lake Erie Lighthouse Scan
Autonomous Robotics, Drone Systems & Aerial Mapping

Lake Erie Lighthouse Scan
Autonomous Robotics, Drone Systems & Aerial Mapping
Invasive Species Drone ImagingOrange, Remington Matthew2026-05-20T16:39:53-04:00

Invasive Species Drone Imaging
Autonomous Robotics, Drone Systems & Aerial Mapping

Invasive Species Drone Imaging
Autonomous Robotics, Drone Systems & Aerial Mapping
Autonomous Camera Leveling for Robotic CaptureOrange, Remington Matthew2026-05-20T16:38:24-04:00

Autonomous Camera Leveling for Robotic Capture
Autonomous Robotics, Custom Robotics Hardware

Autonomous Camera Leveling for Robotic Capture
Autonomous Robotics, Custom Robotics Hardware
Custom Fabricated Mounts for the Unitree Go2Orange, Remington Matthew2026-05-20T16:36:57-04:00

Custom Fabricated Mounts for the Unitree Go2
Autonomous Robotics, Custom Robotics Hardware

Custom Fabricated Mounts for the Unitree Go2
Autonomous Robotics, Custom Robotics Hardware
Turning the Unitree Go2 into a Traveling Technology ShowcaseOrange, Remington Matthew2026-05-20T16:35:19-04:00

Turning the Unitree Go2 into a Traveling Technology Showcase
Autonomous Robotics, Custom Robotics Hardware

Turning the Unitree Go2 into a Traveling Technology Showcase
Autonomous Robotics, Custom Robotics Hardware
Autonomous Campus GuideOrange, Remington Matthew2026-05-20T16:33:12-04:00

Autonomous Campus Guide
Autonomous Platforms, Autonomous Robotics

Autonomous Campus Guide
Autonomous Platforms, Autonomous Robotics
Landing Place: AI-Driven Wellness AppOrange, Remington Matthew2026-05-20T16:32:34-04:00

Landing Place: AI-Driven Wellness App
AI & Therapeutics, AI + Machine Learning

Landing Place: AI-Driven Wellness App
AI & Therapeutics, AI + Machine Learning
LabVIS: Assisted DevelopmentOrange, Remington Matthew2026-05-20T16:31:44-04:00

LabVIS: Assisted Development
AI & Therapeutics, AI + Machine Learning

LabVIS: Assisted Development
AI & Therapeutics, AI + Machine Learning
3D-Printed CIMT Constraint OrthosisOrange, Remington Matthew2026-05-20T16:29:16-04:00

3D-Printed CIMT Constraint Orthosis
AI & Therapeutics, AI + Machine Learning

3D-Printed CIMT Constraint Orthosis
AI & Therapeutics, AI + Machine Learning
Office Double: High-Resolution 3D Space CaptureOrange, Remington Matthew2026-05-20T16:28:08-04:00

Office Double: High-Resolution 3D Space Capture
AI + Machine Learning, Generative AI & Digital Doubles

Office Double: High-Resolution 3D Space Capture
AI + Machine Learning, Generative AI & Digital Doubles
ARVIS: AI-Powered Digital HumanOrange, Remington Matthew2026-05-20T16:26:27-04:00

ARVIS: AI-Powered Digital Human
AI + Machine Learning, Generative AI & Digital Doubles

ARVIS: AI-Powered Digital Human
AI + Machine Learning, Generative AI & Digital Doubles
Spider Measuring: 3D Scanning for Ecological ResearchOrange, Remington Matthew2026-05-20T16:25:34-04:00

Spider Measuring: 3D Scanning for Ecological Research
Immersive Technology, Reality Capture & 3D Digitization

Spider Measuring: 3D Scanning for Ecological Research
Immersive Technology, Reality Capture & 3D Digitization
Shoe Scanning: 3D Digitization for Custom FootwearOrange, Remington Matthew2026-05-20T16:21:50-04:00

Shoe Scanning: 3D Digitization for Custom Footwear
Immersive Technology, Reality Capture & 3D Digitization

Shoe Scanning: 3D Digitization for Custom Footwear
Immersive Technology, Reality Capture & 3D Digitization
Replica Liberty Bell Scan: 3D Digitization for Acoustic ResearchOrange, Remington Matthew2026-05-20T16:19:36-04:00

Replica Liberty Bell Scan: 3D Digitization for Acoustic Research
Immersive Technology, Reality Capture & 3D Digitization

Replica Liberty Bell Scan: 3D Digitization for Acoustic Research
Immersive Technology, Reality Capture & 3D Digitization

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Our Partners

Explore our organization’s mission and learn more on the about page. If you have any inquiries or wish to get in touch, please visit our contact page. Your interest is highly appreciated!

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