XR2ACH — Extended Reality Training for Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Technology

The Challenge

Refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump technology is considered a "Hidden Champion": no refrigerator, supermarket or data center runs without cooling — and the industry is urgently needed to install and maintain the many millions of heat pumps expected in the coming years. At the same time, stricter climate and F-Gas regulations significantly raise the training requirements for technicians.

Yet the sector faces a massive shortage of young professionals: both now and in the long term, it needs at least three times as many skilled workers as are currently available.

The Project

XR2ACH is a research project developing virtual, immersive learning environments for initial, advanced and continuing training in refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump technology. Selected learning content is prepared as virtual and augmented reality applications, so complex technical systems can be experienced realistically in a digital environment.

The learning programs cover fundamentals, planning, construction, installation, commissioning, maintenance and repair of refrigeration and heat pump systems. The environment runs on VR/AR headsets as well as smartphones and tablets. Tracking functions capture the users' interactions in the virtual environment — the data feeds into individual learning progress evaluation and personalized learning content.

The virtual multiplayer platform is designed so it can be extended with additional teaching content after the project ends, and a contact and transfer office supports the adoption of VR/AR in the industry's education and training. All facts per the official XR2ACH website.

Research Toolkit

• Multi-user VR: several trainees work on the same virtual machine at the same time
• Haptic feedback: feedback vests and gloves are already in active use, making virtual handwork tangible
• LLM knowledge assistant (coming soon): integrating large language models for refrigeration knowledge transfer
• Leak detection scenario: realistic fault finding on virtual refrigeration systems
• CAD visualization: single parts, explosion and sectional views of real components
• Voice assistance: guided training inside the virtual garage

My Contribution

I am responsible for building the singleplayer learning environment in Unity: designing and implementing the virtual world, developing interactive training procedures and translating real refrigeration processes into digital learning logic — in close collaboration with refrigeration experts and in coordination with the project partners.

• Unity and VR/XR development
• Building the singleplayer learning environment
• Developing interactive training procedures
• Designing and implementing the virtual world
• Translating real refrigeration processes into digital learning logic
• Collaboration with refrigeration experts and project partners
• Iterative development and testing

The Team

The project is led by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Robin Langebach (Hochschule Karlsruhe). A refrigeration technician contributes the real technical procedures as domain expert; I shape the singleplayer learning world as Unity/XR developer.

In the first project year, I essentially carried the programming on my own. Later, reinforcement arrived that I was especially happy about: my former programming mentor from my bachelor studies. Since then, the two of us work on the singleplayer environment — he focuses on VFX, fluid simulation, performance optimization and technical implementation, while I concentrate on world building, interaction, system design, training logic and bringing the environment to life.

The multiplayer builds on top of the singleplayer: at Hochschule Albstadt-Sigmaringen, a team of three works on the multiplayer component.

Beyond the Code

My role as academic staff reaches far beyond programming:

• Supervision of bachelor's and master's theses
• Project management and time management
• Trade fair presentations (incl. Didacta, DKV conference, TWK Symposium)
• Networking and communication with project partners
• Technical coordination and team alignment
• Translating research ideas into workable systems

Inside the Application

Project Video

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Project Timeline — News

The project is alive — new milestones keep landing here, summarized from the official XR2ACH website.

1. SOON Karlsruhe

   LLM integration for knowledge transfer

   Integrating large language models into the learning environment to deliver refrigeration knowledge directly inside the training — coming soon.
2. 20.04.2026 Leonberg

   First large-group tests

   Successful first trial phase for leak detection, CAD visualization and multi-user VR — with up to 16 apprentices at the same time at the Bundesfachschule Kälte-Klima-Technik in Leonberg.

   
3. 19.03.2026 Karlsruhe

   XR2ACH at the TWK Symposium 2026

   XR2ACH presented its VR training solutions at the TWK Symposium and gathered valuable input on upskilling for natural refrigerants.

   
4. 10.03.2026 Cologne

   XR2ACH at Didacta 2026

   The project was demonstrated live at Europe's largest education fair, the state of innovation in vocational training was evaluated and diverse feedback collected.

   
5. 02.02.2026 Rottenburg am Neckar

   Stakeholder meeting at the Schaufler Academy

   Project partners presented progress on the virtual learning environments for refrigeration technology and planned the first pilot phase in the trades.

   
6. 21.11.2025 Magdeburg

   Leak detection scenario live at the DKV conference 2025

   Hochschule Karlsruhe demonstrated an XR learning scenario for leak detection in refrigeration and air conditioning at the annual conference of the German Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Association (DKV).

   
7. 10.09.2025 London, UK

   XR2ACH at the international compressor conference

   Prof. Dr.-Ing. Robin Langebach presented the InnoVET PLUS project XR2ACH at the 14th International Conference on Compressors and their Systems in London.

   
8. 03.09.2025 Albstadt

   Development status 02: multi-user systems

   First prototypes for virtual multi-user rooms tested successfully — several trainees meet, communicate and work on the same virtual machine.

   
9. 20.08.2025 Karlsruhe

   Development status 01: learning environment

   Virtual garage with 3D models, refrigeration systems and tools — plus voice assistance for guided training.

   
10. 21.05.2025 Leonberg

    Partner visit @ Bundesfachschule Kälte-Klima-Technik

    Aligning the XR learning scenarios with inter-company vocational training content.

    
11. 16.05.2025 Chemnitz

    XR2ACH x DuET: InnoVET PLUS project exchange

    Joint focus on heat pump technology — innovative impulses for vocational education.

    
12. 31.01.2025 Rottenburg am Neckar

    XR2ACH kick-off @ BITZER Schaufler Academy

    The kick-off conference set fresh impulses for digital learning in refrigeration technology through XR technologies — the start of my chapter in Karlsruhe.

    

Partners

Hochschule Karlsruhe coordinates the consortium, led by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Robin Langebach. Hochschule Albstadt-Sigmaringen (HAS) develops the multiplayer component with its Institute for Computer-Aided Product Development (IRGP).

The Virtual Dimension Center (VDC) supports XR2ACH as a network and communication partner, helping connect the project with the wider XR, industry and research ecosystem and carrying its results into the professional community.

Official XR2ACH website →