Peter Galambos

Founder and CTO Maxwhere
Elevating Educational Experiences through XR: Insights from MAXWHERE

Abstract: The dawn of the 21st Century marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of Extended Reality (XR), initiated by significant investments such as Facebook’s acquisition of Oculus in 2012. This era heralded a slow but steady unveiling of the vast potentials embedded within mixed reality technologies, exemplified by innovations like Microsoft HoloLens and Apple Vision Pro. Amidst this technological renaissance, MAXWHERE emerged as a pioneering startup, dedicated to redefining spatial computing in a device-agnostic manner. MAXWHERE stands as an extensible software platform engineered to facilitate the creation of 3D computer applications across a myriad of domains. It distinguishes itself through its innate capabilities to organize conventional media and interactive 2D web applications within immersive spatial environments. This unique approach not only enhances memorization and information recall but also aligns with the memory palace paradigm, offering a revolutionary method to interact with digital content.

Beyond its core functionalities, MAXWHERE offers a versatile programming interface, empowering de- velopers to craft custom XR applications. These applications are designed to run seamlessly across both traditional computer screens and XR headsets, thereby broadening the accessibility and applicability of im- mersive technologies.

This presentation aims to introduce the MAXWHERE platform through a series of compelling use cases, ranging from professional training applications to university laboratories and educational escape rooms. Each example underscores the platform’s capacity to foster innovative, gamified learning environments that engage and educate users in unprecedented ways. The primary focus of this speech is to showcase the transformative potential of virtual and mixed reality technologies within the educational and training sectors. By highlighting MAXWHERE’s contributions to these fields, the presentation seeks to inspire new ideas and encourage the adoption of XR technologies at all levels of educational engagement. Attendees will leave with a comprehensive understanding of how MAXWHERE can serve as a catalyst for innovation in learning methodologies, paving the way for a future where education is not just informative but also immersive and interactive.

The MAXWHERE XR product is developed by the MISTEMS Ltd. with the financial support pro- vided by the Ministry of Culture and Innovation of Hungary from the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund, financed under the 2021-1.1.4-GYORS ́ITOS ́ AV funding scheme (project no. 2021-1.1.4- ́ GYORS ́ITOS ́ AV-2022-00081). ́


Bio

Peter Galambos received his M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in mechanical engi- neering from the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) in 2006 and 2013, respectively. His early career included a notable stint as a Research Intern at Toshiba’s Corporate Research and Development Center between 2007 and 2008. Subsequently, he joined the Institute for Computer Science and Control of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (MTA-SZTAKI), where he was awarded a ”Young Researcher” Scholarship from 2010 to 2012. During his time at MTA-SZTAKI, from 2011 to 2015, he distinguished him- self as a team leader, spearheading the development of the VirCA VR system and its research applications.

In 2013, Galambos expanded his academic horizons by joining Obuda Uni- ́ versity, where he has been deeply involved in robotics-related research and development (R&D) activities and education. He currently holds the pres- tigious position of Full Professor and serves as the Director of the Antal Bejczy Center for Intelligent Robotics at Obuda University in Budapest. ́ His research interests are at the forefront of technology, encompassing Ad- vanced Industrial Robotics and Control Systems, Cyber-Physical Systems, and Virtual Reality.

An accomplished scholar, Galambos has authored and co-authored over 150 scientific papers, which have garnered more than 1600 citations, underscoring his significant contribution to the field of engineering and technology. Be- yond his academic achievements, he has also made his mark in the business world as a successful entrepreneur. He is the co-founder and Chief Technol- ogy Officer (CTO) of the MAXWHERE Virtual Reality software platform, blending his technical expertise with innovative business strategies to create impactful technological solutions.