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

Learn More

Immersive Technology

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

Our makerspace unit focused on immersive creation.

Learn More

Autonomous Robotics

Our unit focused on developing robotic and autonomous solutions

Learn More

News & Media

Campus Insights Media Features Penn State’s Liberty Bell Digital Twin Project

Campus Insights Media featured Penn State’s video story, “America 250: Creating a Digital Twin of the Liberty Bell,” highlighting VAR

YourErie Covers Liberty Bell Replica at Penn State Behrend

YourErie shared a local news segment on the Liberty Bell replica at Penn State Behrend, highlighting how Erie now has

Metrology News Highlights Precision Scanning Behind the Liberty Bell Digital Twin

Metrology News featured VAR Lab’s Liberty Bell digital twin project in a detailed article focused on the precision metrology behind

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

3D Scanning Roadshow Hosted at Behrend in Fall 20222026-10-17T01:45:22-04:00

3D Scanning Roadshow Hosted at Behrend in Fall 2022
Immersive Technology, Reality Capture & 3D Digitization, VAR Lab, VAR Studio

3D Scanning Roadshow Hosted at Behrend in Fall 2022
Immersive Technology, Reality Capture & 3D Digitization, VAR Lab, VAR Studio
English 015 – Class Integration2023-06-12T13:07:28-04:00

English 015 – Class Integration
VAR Edu

English 015 – Class Integration
VAR Edu
ARTH 325 – Class Integration2023-06-12T13:07:38-04:00

ARTH 325 – Class Integration
VAR Edu

ARTH 325 – Class Integration
VAR Edu
VAR Rover2026-10-17T01:45:21-04:00

VAR Rover
Autonomous Platforms, Autonomous Robotics, VAR Studio

VAR Rover
Autonomous Platforms, Autonomous Robotics, VAR Studio
Capturing Behrend/Erie Landmarks using LiDAR Scanning2026-10-17T05:47:11-04:00

Capturing Behrend/Erie Landmarks using LiDAR Scanning
Immersive Technology, Mobile Operations Studio, Reality Capture & 3D Digitization, VAR Studio

Capturing Behrend/Erie Landmarks using LiDAR Scanning
Immersive Technology, Mobile Operations Studio, Reality Capture & 3D Digitization, VAR Studio
Immersive Exhibits at the Hagen History Center2026-10-17T01:45:22-04:00

Immersive Exhibits at the Hagen History Center
Immersive Media Production, Immersive Technology, VAR Lab

Immersive Exhibits at the Hagen History Center
Immersive Media Production, Immersive Technology, VAR Lab
Oliver Perry Immersive Telescope Exhibit – Hagen History Center in Erie, PA2026-10-17T05:45:17-04:00

Oliver Perry Immersive Telescope Exhibit – Hagen History Center in Erie, PA
Immersive Media Production, Immersive Technology, VAR Lab, VAR Studio

Oliver Perry Immersive Telescope Exhibit – Hagen History Center in Erie, PA
Immersive Media Production, Immersive Technology, VAR Lab, VAR Studio
Creation of a Virtual Hike of the Wintergreen Gorge2026-10-17T01:45:22-04:00

Creation of a Virtual Hike of the Wintergreen Gorge
Immersive Media Production, Immersive Technology, VAR Lab

Creation of a Virtual Hike of the Wintergreen Gorge
Immersive Media Production, Immersive Technology, VAR Lab
Wintergreen Gorge Video Game2026-10-17T01:45:22-04:00

Wintergreen Gorge Video Game
Immersive Media Production, Immersive Technology, VAR Lab

Wintergreen Gorge Video Game
Immersive Media Production, Immersive Technology, VAR Lab
Intercultural VAR Experience2026-10-17T01:45:22-04:00

Intercultural VAR Experience
Immersive Media Production, Immersive Technology, VAR Lab

Intercultural VAR Experience
Immersive Media Production, Immersive Technology, VAR Lab
Three Forts Presque Isle2026-10-17T01:45:22-04:00

Three Forts Presque Isle
Immersive Media Production, Immersive Technology, VAR Lab

Three Forts Presque Isle
Immersive Media Production, Immersive Technology, VAR Lab
The Immersive Behrend History Project2026-10-17T01:45:22-04:00

The Immersive Behrend History Project
Immersive Media Production, Immersive Technology, VAR Lab

The Immersive Behrend History Project
Immersive Media Production, Immersive Technology, VAR Lab
Immersive Forensic Experiences2026-10-17T01:45:21-04:00

Immersive Forensic Experiences
Immersive Media Production, Immersive Technology, VAR Lab

Immersive Forensic Experiences
Immersive Media Production, Immersive Technology, VAR Lab
Serene: A COVID-19 Mental Health Support App2026-10-17T03:25:53-04:00

Serene: A COVID-19 Mental Health Support App
AI & Therapeutics, AI + Machine Learning, Apps

Serene: A COVID-19 Mental Health Support App
AI & Therapeutics, AI + Machine Learning, Apps
Ft LeBoeuf Recreation for VR2026-10-17T01:45:21-04:00

Ft LeBoeuf Recreation for VR
Immersive Media Production, Immersive Technology, VAR Lab

Ft LeBoeuf Recreation for VR
Immersive Media Production, Immersive Technology, VAR Lab

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!

About

Contact