VAR Lab: The Emerging Technologies Hub at Penn State Behrend

Leveraging the potential of artificial intelligence, immersive technologies, and robotics 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

Illustration of a person wearing a VR headset reaching toward a planet

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 as of October 2026.

Total Value Generated

$2.50M

External Funding + In-Kind Value

Grants, Awards and Gifts

$1.39M

Including 38 funded grants

Student Positions

247+

122 unique | 98% of eligible students paid

Partnerships

150+

Academia | Industry | Nonprofits

Open Lab Deliverables

196

47% by lead contributor

Return on Investment

$18K

Seed Grant | 2019

13,800%

Conservative ROI

Excludes speculative value

$2.50M

Realized Value | 2026

XR Classroom | 2,715 Total (FA21 to FA24)

60

FA21

172

SP22

625

FA22

706

SP23

1,152

FA24

Individuals engaged per semester. Program concluded after Fall 2024.

Multi-Semester Researchers

90

Stayed 2+ semesters

49

Stayed 3+ semesters

Of 122 student researchers since 2019

Student Composition

Humanities and SS

45%

Engineering

42%

Business

9%

Science

4%

Undergrad

80%

Graduate

20%

Paid Roles (eligible students)

98%

Funding Breakdown

External Funding: $1,395,777

Grants (38)

$1,185,796

Corporate + Private

$83,945

Student Awards (16)

$61,700

Visiting Scholar Awards

~$54,278

Other Awards (7)

$10,058

In-Kind Value: ~$1,108,358

Faculty Effort

~$685,687

Facilities

~$272,588

Visiting Scholar Labor

~$150,083

+ $133,654 in proposals under review (2)

Tools We Work With

A sample of the industry tools and platforms our teams use across projects.

AI Assistants and Coding

AI Frameworks and Vision

Generative Media and Speech

Robotics and Drones

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

VR180 Videos: Immersive Media for Local Experiences2026-05-20T16:17:19-04:00

VR180 Videos: Immersive Media for Local Experiences
Immersive Media Production, Immersive Technology

VR180 Videos: Immersive Media for Local Experiences
Immersive Media Production, Immersive Technology
Projector Games: Interactive Projection Systems2026-10-17T01:45:22-04:00

Projector Games: Interactive Projection Systems
Immersive Technology, Spatial Interaction & Projection

Projector Games: Interactive Projection Systems
Immersive Technology, Spatial Interaction & Projection
Art Installation: Interactive Projection for Gallery Spaces2026-05-20T16:13:06-04:00

Art Installation: Interactive Projection for Gallery Spaces
Immersive Technology, Spatial Interaction & Projection

Art Installation: Interactive Projection for Gallery Spaces
Immersive Technology, Spatial Interaction & Projection
AI Door Greeter2026-05-20T16:11:04-04:00

AI Door Greeter
AI + Machine Learning, AI Applications & Interactive Systems

AI Door Greeter
AI + Machine Learning, AI Applications & Interactive Systems
FutureSelf Smoking: Cessation Project2026-05-20T16:09:41-04:00

FutureSelf Smoking: Cessation Project
AI & Therapeutics, AI + Machine Learning

FutureSelf Smoking: Cessation Project
AI & Therapeutics, AI + Machine Learning
Farmstead Scattering Services: VR360 Project2026-05-20T16:08:02-04:00

Farmstead Scattering Services: VR360 Project
Immersive Media Production, Immersive Technology

Farmstead Scattering Services: VR360 Project
Immersive Media Production, Immersive Technology
Photogrammetry Testing at the VAR Lab2026-05-20T16:05:43-04:00

Photogrammetry Testing at the VAR Lab
Immersive Technology, Reality Capture & 3D Digitization

Photogrammetry Testing at the VAR Lab
Immersive Technology, Reality Capture & 3D Digitization
Human-Sized Turntable for 3D Scanning2026-05-20T15:03:53-04:00

Human-Sized Turntable for 3D Scanning
Autonomous Platforms, Autonomous Robotics

Human-Sized Turntable for 3D Scanning
Autonomous Platforms, Autonomous Robotics
BIOL 164 – Class Integration2023-06-12T12:48:55-04:00

BIOL 164 – Class Integration
VAR Edu

BIOL 164 – Class Integration
VAR Edu
MKTG 343 – Class Integration2023-06-12T12:49:12-04:00

MKTG 343 – Class Integration
VAR Edu

MKTG 343 – Class Integration
VAR Edu
Admissions Event – Outreach Integration2023-06-12T12:48:05-04:00

Admissions Event – Outreach Integration
VAR Edu

Admissions Event – Outreach Integration
VAR Edu
MIS 204 – Class Integration2023-06-12T13:07:04-04:00

MIS 204 – Class Integration
VAR Edu

MIS 204 – Class Integration
VAR Edu
GAME 250 – Class Integration2023-06-12T13:07:12-04:00

GAME 250 – Class Integration
VAR Edu

GAME 250 – Class Integration
VAR Edu
The Landing Place (2023, Original Version)2026-10-17T03:25:54-04:00

The Landing Place (2023, Original Version)
AI & Therapeutics, AI + Machine Learning, VAR Lab

The Landing Place (2023, Original Version)
AI & Therapeutics, AI + Machine Learning, VAR Lab
PSYCH 519 – Class Integration2023-06-12T13:07:19-04:00

PSYCH 519 – Class Integration
VAR Edu

PSYCH 519 – Class Integration
VAR Edu

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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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