XR Sweden - The realities collective
At XR Sweden, we are exploring the potential for building a national ecosystem for XR in Sweden. The study, led by Visual Arena and Epicenter and funded by Vinnova, aims to validate the potential of XR Sweden by building on Sweden’s existing strengths while developing a cohesive platform that supports the development of eXtended Reality (XR) and contributes to sustainable societal progress.
XR Sweden investigates how a national XR platform in Sweden can be structured to drive innovation across sectors like technology, culture, education, healthcare, and the public sector. XR — encompassing VR, AR, and MR — is more than a set of technologies. It is an interface for a new kind of human capability: immersive intelligence.
Our Goal:
To understand how a future national platform can be organized and structured to promote innovation, accessibility, and social value through immersive intelligence — a human capability grounded in visualization, spatial awareness, emotion, and interactivity.
The feasibility study aimed to validate the potential for XR Sweden by
The study aims to validate the potential of XR Sweden by:
- Identifying needs and barriers across different sectors
- Exploring use cases for immersive technologies in education, culture, business, and the public sector
- Laying a common foundation for the continued development of an inclusive and scalable ecosystem for immersive intelligence in Sweden
Scroll down to learn about the results of the innovation project. If you want to see the detailed results, you can read the final report.
Initial Insights
Based on over 91 in-depth interviews, 56 workshop participants, and 280 survey responses, we’ve developed a framework outlining key drivers and challenges.
In a nationwide survey conducted with 280 respondents, 75% stated that immersive intelligence will be highly important (rated 4–6 on a 6-point scale) for their organization in the future.
The survey also highlighted what organizations need most to harness the potential of immersive intelligence:
- Increased knowledge and training
- Access to technical equipment and competence
- Financial resources/investment
- Support from experts or partners
- Clear examples of use cases
- Defined strategies and leadership support
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What the project reveals
Immersive intelligence arises when we use technology to strengthen our ability to understand, learn, make decisions, and act — through meaningful experiences where we become co-creators. It’s not just screens facing you. It’s the real-time capture of everything that surrounds you.
It happens when screens, sensors, AI, and data shape interactive environments where employees, users, and citizens can feel, explore, and generate insights themselves.
The term "immersive intelligence" emerged through a user-centered methodology — by listening, observing, and exploring the potential of XR.
We analyzed data from across Sweden, tested ideas in practice, and learned from both successes and challenges. Through this process, we’ve identified three key initiatives — three parts of a broader ecosystem that we now invite others to help build.
Next Steps: Three Concrete Initiatives
We are now inviting more actors to take part in developing XR Sweden through three tracks:
The Mobile Innovation Lab
The idea is simple but powerful: we bring the technology to the people. We take an outreach approach — visiting schools, companies, municipal buildings, and cultural centers across Sweden. These spaces allow people to meet, experience, and understand the technology, and begin to experiment themselves. It’s a tool for inclusion, curiosity, and hands-on learning.
Immersive North
A national summit with an international outlook — where participants from different industries and sectors come together to work deeply and strategically with immersive solutions.
Here, we will:
- Develop and refine methods
- Test ideas over time
- Build robust collaborations needed to make real innovation stick
It’s not a destination. It’s a launchpad — a motor for long-term collaboration and development.
The Digital Knowledge Hub
An open-access platform for sharing tools, resources, and real-world experience. From learning materials and trend monitoring to inspiration and use cases, this hub is built for everyone — municipalities, companies, cultural institutions — to access, contribute, and grow together.
The digital format ensures the work doesn’t stop after a single meeting. It becomes continuous, deeper, and shareable.
Want to be part of shaping what’s next?
We are actively looking for partners for the initiatives above — whether you are a municipality, company, researcher, or curious innovator.
News & events connected to XR Sweden
Study points to the need for a national ecosystem for immersive intelligence
How XR is Transforming Business: From Prototyping to Immersive Collaboration
XR Sweden is funded by Vinnova and managed by Epicenter and Visual Arena.
Do you want to contribute your perspective on how XR can shape the future of society? Contact Martin Högenberg.
Martin Högenberg
Visual Arena – a meeting place for immersive installations in Gothenburg
Narrative XR LAB 2025
