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

Media Mention: Behrend – Nursing Integration

Thank you to Penn State Behrend for sharing this article about the use of virtual reality (VR) simulations in nursing

Media Mention: Behrend Magazine – VAR Lab Spotlight

Thank you to Penn State Behrend Magazine for sharing this inspiring article about Chris Shelton's vision for the VAR Lab

Acquisition of a Pair of Artec Structured Light 3D Scanners

VAR Studios, Behrend’s XR Makerspace, is proud to announce the recent acquisition of a pair of structured light scanners. These

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

View Full Portfolio

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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