The VICTOR-XR project is developing a European reference framework for virtual–physical consistency (VPC) in virtual worlds. The project aims to improve interaction between the physical and digital worlds by creating advanced XR environments. The project integrates multimodal systems, such as haptics, vision, voice, gaze and biophysiological signals, to enable more consistent, safe and intelligent immersive experiences.

The proposed architecture is based on a closed-loop ground update loop that synchronises digital twins with real-world data, and on cognitive co-pilots that can transform sensory data into secure, explainable decision support. The system also incorporates interoperable middleware that aligns with European standards, as well as XR-native solutions for training and skills assessment that are based on real operational data. Principles of privacy, security, inclusivity, and ethics-by-design are integrated into the project, with significant contributions from the social and human sciences.

Demonstrators will be developed in three main application areas: automotive manufacturing, collaborative robotics and clinical rehabilitation. The aim is to improve multimodal synchronisation, ergonomics, safety, productivity and clinical outcomes. The project also aims to contribute to the European standardisation of XR and digital twin technologies to ensure their reliability and scalability.

The consortium comprises 16 partners from seven countries and brings together leading academic, industrial and technological institutions, including DFKI (Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Künstliche Intelligenz), ETH Zurich, Aalto University, Universitat Politècnica de València, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna and Politecnico di Milano, as well as EIT Manufacturing South and industrial and deep-tech partners such as Brembo and MASMEC.

The research group from the Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering at Politecnico di Milano is responsible for the VICTOR-XR Piloting & Adoption Centre, leading the demonstration and validation of the project’s XR and Digital Twin technologies in operational settings. Its role spans requirements engineering, pilot co-design, integration of project components, and assessment of impact across manufacturing and healthcare use cases. By coordinating cross-pilot evaluation activities and supporting replication and uptake, the Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering helps bridge advanced research and large-scale adoption of trustworthy virtual world technologies.