Next Lab’s Betel–NextACT project features an immersive virtual experience exploring utopian and dystopian climate change futures, paired with a booklet of sustainability-focused drama-based lesson plans for K-12 educators to encourage the younger generation and beyond to grow their eco-consciousness and make personal commitments to zero-waste. NextACT was born from a partnership between multiple ASU-affiliated organizations…

The digital twins for Maricopa County are crucial tools for understanding and addressing disparities in broadband access across diverse communities in Maricopa County. By creating a virtual representation of the county’s infrastructure, including broadband connectivity and accessibility, we aim to uncover data-driven insights to better serve underserved areas. Access to reliable broadband is essential for…

The Maricopa County Digital Storytelling project, featured on the AZ-1 web portal, highlights the impact of broadband internet access on education, business, and wellness in Maricopa County, Arizona. It shares stories of community members benefiting from having broadband access, such as telehealth and 5G technology for startups. This initiative is part of the university’s efforts…

The Arizona Water Metaverse project, launched in 2024, leverages EngageVR to create immersive learning experiences focused on water conservation and Arizona’s water scarcity challenges. This initiative offers a metaverse platform for educators and students to develop sustainable water management strategies through virtual simulations.  The Arizona Water Metaverse project leveraged immersive technology to address Arizona’s critical…

WESTMARC and the City of Surprise partnered with ASU Next Lab to create the first digital twin of the City of Surprise, targeting both investors and residents. The digital twin includes two key features: City Data View, a 3D map with real-time ArcGIS/Esri data, and Street & Ground Views, allowing users to navigate Elm Street…

Edge AI introduces a transformative AI solution to expand access to educational resources for remote and underserved communities. The project empowers learners in areas with limited internet and power infrastructure by developing an AI system capable of offline functionality on low-powered devices. The solution uses privacy-centric approaches to operate independently, ensuring user data remains secure…

Created in partnership with ASU Educational Outreach and Student Services (EOSS), FutureScape is a game for middle schoolers to explore various STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) careers. Covering 15 industries across eight areas, including marine biology, manufacturing engineering, and forensic science, this virtual career fair features mini-games that simulate STEAM work experiences in engaging…

The AZ Transmissions project at Arizona State University uses advanced geospatial technology to map and analyze Arizona’s power infrastructure. A team of students and professionals is extracting data from complex PDFs, georeferencing maps, and automating data extraction using GIS software. The goal is to transform static maps of transmission lines and power stations into interactive,…

Next Lab studio associates are using ChatGPT to create detailed user personas for testing projects to enhance partner engagement and demonstrate practical use cases. These personas are developed based on Arizona demographics and the behaviors, interests, and motivations of target audiences. The team employs a personalized storytelling approach by illustrating how these imaginary users would…