AnywhereXR: on-the-fly 3D environments as a basis for open source immersive digital twin applications
Alexander Klippel, Bart Knuiman, Jiayan Zhao, Jan Oliver Wallgrün, Jascha Grübel · International Journal of Digital Earth · 2025
Visualization has long been fundamental to human communication and decision making. Today, we stand at the threshold of integrating veridical, high-fidelity visualizations into immersive digital environments, alongside digital twinning techniques. This convergence heralds powerful tools for communication, co-design, and participatory decision-making. Our paper delves into the development of lightweight open-source immersive digital twin visualizations, capitalizing on the evolution of immersive technologies, the wealth of spatial data available, and advancements in digital twinning. Coined AnywhereXR, this approach ultimately seeks to democratize access to spatial information on a global scale. Utilizing the Netherlands as our starting point, we envision expanding this methodology worldwide, leveraging open data and software to address pressing societal challenges across diverse domains.HighlightsLightweight creation of high-fidelity, object-based 3D environments on-the-fly based on public data sets3D environments suitable for creating interactive and adaptble immersive experiences through AR and VRConnections to digital twin applicationsEvaluation and case studyEnable futuring and co-design using immersive digital twins