Team Orlando industry leaders discuss the role of XR and AI in space, manufacturing and defense

By Cassidy Mills, Staff Writer

 

The Central Florida Tech Grove hosted the 3rd Annual VR/AR Association (VRARA) Central Florida Immersive Technology Summit in Orlando, Florida, April 10.

 

This conference and technology expo for government and business leaders event focused on immersive technologies, and it featured representatives from Team Orlando’s military services on the “XR in Space Exploration, Manufacturing and Defense” panel. Participating in the panel were Chris Gaughan, former extended reality (XR) technologist with Blue Origin and Amazon; Bill Little, retired NASA Kennedy XR Lab founder; and Shelley Peterson, XR Space Industry pioneer.

 

Gaughan delved into the evolving role of XR’s use in space exploration, particularly in training astronauts. He said that XR technologies, which include virtual and augmented realities, are becoming increasingly integral to preparing astronauts for the complexities and challenges of space missions.

 

“By creating immersive simulations, astronauts can experience real-world conditions, such as the challenges of working in microgravity, before they even set foot on a spacecraft,” Gaughan said. “It’s all about reducing the learning curve and ensuring that every mission is as efficient and safe as possible.”

 

Little explained how NASA’s trainers use XR technologies to familiarize astronauts with spacecraft designs and mission protocols, providing valuable insights into how NASA is leveraging these tools to enhance astronaut preparedness.

 

“XR provides astronauts with interactive, 3D models, helping them understand spacecraft layouts, emergency response procedures and more,” Little said. “These technologies allow for highly effective training that would be impossible in traditional classroom settings or with standard physical models.”

 

The panel also addressed the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in defense, particularly when integrated with XR systems. Peterson highlighted how AI can enhance training by providing real-time feedback, personalizing experiences and analyzing data to improve decision-making. She said that combining AI and XR can make training more adaptive and effective.

 

“When we combine AI with XR, the learning experience becomes more personalized and adaptive,” Peterson said. “This makes training more effective and ensures that personnel are prepared for a wide range of scenarios.”

 

The discussion at the summit emphasized the increasing importance of XR and AI in transforming key industries such as space exploration, manufacturing and defense. The panelists concluded that these technologies are becoming essential to the advancement of these sectors.