The Arolla–NewsWell project was a three- to six-week R&D sprint led by Next Lab in collaboration with NewsWell, focused on exploring digital-to-print publishing workflows using WordPress and Adobe InDesign. The goal was to assess whether NewsWell’s original AWS-based prototype—featuring AI-assisted copy trimming, image handling, and single-page InDesign exports—could be replicated using existing WordPress tools, ideally…

In a partnership with Mayo Clinic, a team of Next Lab student workers are creating a virtual reality training simulation for medical students to practice diagnosing strokes. This proof-of-concept features hyper-realistic 3D models of medical patients that are able to be directly interacted with using VR hand-tracking controls and voice-recognition. Using the National Institutes of…

Project Acacia, led by Afghan Scholars in collaboration with Next Lab during Fall 2024, explores using 3D technologies to create high-fidelity digital twins of real-world environments. These 3D, interactive models enable stakeholders to explore, analyze virtually, and plan spaces, with applications in urban planning, retail attraction, and infrastructure development. Project Acacia demonstrates the power of…

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…

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 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…

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,…

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…

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…