Social and hUman ceNtered XR – SUN XR

The Social and hUman ceNtered XR (SUN) project uses advanced extended reality (XR) technology to support breast cancer patients in their rehabilitation. By blending the physical and virtual worlds, SUN offers engaging and accessible tools that help patients stay connected, motivated, and on track with their recovery, no matter where they live.

Learn more about how the European Commission supports projects like SUN.

Find out more about SUN.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer worldwide, impacting millions of women. Effective rehabilitation and support are crucial for improving the quality of life for those affected. Traditional support methods often face limitations, especially in reaching individuals in rural or isolated areas. The Social and hUman ceNtered XR (SUN) project aims to address these challenges by developing and integrating extended reality (XR) solutions that connect patients, regardless of their location. XR technology offers a unique opportunity to enhance physical rehabilitation and social interaction for breast cancer patients, providing support and therapy in a virtual environment. By bridging the gap between the physical and virtual worlds, SUN enables patients to receive personalised care and engage in meaningful interactions, fostering a supportive community.
The SUN project focuses on several key objectives to enhance the support and rehabilitation of breast cancer patients through innovative XR solutions:

  • Advancing 3D Acquisition Technologies: Develop intuitive 3D data acquisition solutions to create realistic digital models that include physical properties, facilitating the creation of new XR applications.
  • Creating Realistic Virtual and Physical Interactions: Develop solutions for a seamless and convincing interaction between the physical and virtual worlds, improving the overall XR experience.
  • Innovative XR Interaction: Develop gaze-based and gesture-based interaction solutions using computer vision and wearable sensors, enabling natural and intuitive interaction with the virtual environment.
  • Secure and Integrated XR Platform: Create a platform for sharing and exchanging digital assets, leveraging Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) and supporting a trustworthy data and content management infrastructure.
  • Validation in Real-World Scenarios: Demonstrate and validate the developed XR technologies in real-life scenarios, including rehabilitation, safety, and interaction for people with mobility and communication challenges.
Duration
36 months (1 Dec 2022 – 30 Nov 2025)

Programme
Horizon Europe
HORIZON-CL4-2022-HUMAN-01-14

Participating Countries
Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Belgium

Overall budget
EUR 7,482,542.50

EU contribution
EUR 7,482,542.50

At OAC, we are dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for breast cancer patients. In the SUN project, we are taking a hands-on approach to ensure the innovative XR solutions make a real difference. Here’s how we’re involved:

  • Pilot Planning and Execution: We are working closely with our partners to set up pilot programs that will test the new XR technologies in real-life scenarios. This includes finding suitable locations and participants, ensuring that breast cancer patients receive the best possible care and support during the trials.
  • Dissemination and Integration: We are integrating the exciting new technologies developed in the SUN project into our existing digital services. This means our patients will have access to cutting-edge XR tools that can help them with rehabilitation and support, no matter where they are.
  • Community Engagement: We are committed to spreading the word about the benefits of XR technology for cancer rehabilitation. By engaging with patients, healthcare providers, and researchers, we aim to create a supportive community that embraces these new tools and makes the most of them.

Our goal is to make sure the SUN project’s innovations are accessible and beneficial to everyone who needs them, bringing advanced rehabilitation solutions to breast cancer patients across Europe.

SUN’s Six Objectives

See how SUN is advancing XR with six key objectives, each enhancing realism, interaction, and security in digital experiences.

Objective 1: Advanced 3D Data Acquisition

Developing intuitive methods for realistic 3D models with physical properties and real-object linking.

Objective 2: Real-Time XR Blending

Creating solutions for seamless integration of physical and virtual worlds, including AI-enhanced visualisation and hyper-realistic avatars.

Objective 3: Innovative XR Interaction

Introducing gaze-based, gesture-based, and multimodal interactions with haptic feedback and BBMI for diverse communication.

Objective 4: Secure and Integrated XR Platform

Building a secure platform for digital asset sharing, NFT utilisation, and real-time cyber incident detection.

Objective 5: Real-World Validation

Validating technologies in rehabilitation, safety, and communication scenarios, measuring their effectiveness and impact.

Objective 6: Stakeholder Engagement

Engaging stakeholders through meetings and dissemination, ensuring sustainable and impactful project outcomes.

Learn More

Visit the project website and learn more about our partners and upcoming events.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG-CONNECT). Neither the European Union nor DG-CONNECT can be held responsible for them.

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