Interview about U A I XR Workshop, winner of the A' Interface, Interaction and User Experience Design Award 2025
Designed to make manufacturing accessible to all, regardless of location, cost, or physical ability, this concept rethinks the creative process. By combining xr technology with a user friendly interface, it enables individuals to engage in manufacturing without barriers. This shared digital workspace reshapes how people connect with craftsmanship, offering broad possibilities for collaboration, entrepreneurship, and new ideas. It breaks down physical and financial constraints, fostering inclusivity and unlocking fresh creative potential.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsCertainly. The transformation of a 50-year-old warehouse into the U A I XR Workshop is a physical manifestation of our core vision: to create a space where anyone—regardless of physical ability, technical skill, or geographic location—can participate in high-quality manufacturing and creative collaboration.We intentionally preserved the soul of the original structure while embedding it with cutting-edge XR, AI, and cloud technologies. This juxtaposition of the old and new represents our belief that tradition and innovation can coexist to empower inclusive creativity.By implementing systems like SHUGI, which visually guides users through complex tasks via spatial computing, and enabling remote control of devices such as 3D printers and laser cutters, we removed the barriers that often prevent people from engaging in digital craftsmanship.The result is a hybrid creative environment that honors heritage while opening doors to the future—allowing people from diverse backgrounds to co-create, learn, and share skills across boundaries.
The integration of XR smart glasses into traditional manufacturing workflows enables us to redefine who can participate in craftsmanship. At the U A I XR Workshop, users can receive real-time guidance, holographic overlays, and AI-powered feedback through devices like Apple Vision Pro or Meta Quest 3, even if they are not physically present or lack prior experience.For individuals with disabilities, this means they no longer need to operate heavy machines directly; instead, they can supervise, instruct, or even co-create remotely through immersive visual interfaces. For those in remote or underserved areas, XR allows them to virtually enter our workshop, operate devices like 3D printers or laser cutters, and receive high-level training without relocating.This fusion eliminates barriers related to physical mobility, geography, or technical intimidation, creating an inclusive and empowering environment. It brings a future where anyone, anywhere, can engage in creative production and skill-sharing—unlocking hidden potential in communities that were previously excluded.
When designing the user interface for U A I XR Workshop, our top priority was to ensure that anyone—regardless of age, physical ability, or technical background—could understand and operate the system with ease. Through field testing with first-time users, people with disabilities, and elderly participants, we gained key insights into the importance of visual simplicity, minimal steps, and clear feedback.We chose icon-based controls and gesture-based interactions to reduce reliance on text or complex menus. We also incorporated voice guidance and haptic feedback to assist users who might have visual or motor impairments. Furthermore, all machine controls—such as operating 3D printers or turning on the lights—were designed to be accessible via a single XR interface, eliminating the need to move between multiple systems or physical control panels.Ultimately, we learned that accessibility is not just about accommodating limitations—it’s about enhancing confidence. Our interface is not only functional but also emotionally supportive, giving users a sense of empowerment and independence in a high-tech environment.
The "Takumi" remote support system in U A I XR Workshop plays a key role in bridging traditional craftsmanship with digital innovation. By connecting users in real time with experienced technicians—many of whom are masters of traditional manufacturing methods—we enable direct knowledge transfer, regardless of physical distance.Through smart glasses and XR interfaces, these experts can see exactly what the user is doing and provide immediate feedback, guidance, and even gestures, making it possible to teach complex skills remotely. This system preserves the tacit knowledge of skilled craftspeople, which is often difficult to document in manuals, by translating it into interactive visual support.At the same time, the Takumi system encourages a new kind of craftsmanship—one that blends analog experience with digital tools. This not only supports training but also creates space for collaborative problem-solving and cross-generational innovation. In short, it helps us build a living archive of skills while inspiring new forms of creativity through shared experience.
In Izumi, Osaka, where U A I XR Workshop is based, the integration of XR technology, 3D scanning, and traditional craft preservation has significantly impacted the local manufacturing community. First, XR-based remote manufacturing allows craftspeople, students, and even individuals with disabilities to access machines and processes they previously could not reach due to physical, technical, or social limitations.Second, 3D scanning and digital archiving of traditional tools and techniques help preserve local knowledge that is at risk of disappearing as the population ages. By digitizing and visualizing these skills, younger generations can learn from experienced artisans without requiring them to be physically present.Third, this combination has encouraged collaborations between small manufacturers, local schools, and makers. For example, retired artisans have begun mentoring new creators using XR systems, revitalizing community ties and creating new business opportunities.Finally, the U A I XR Workshop acts as a shared innovation hub, offering access to high-tech fabrication tools in a rural context. This has not only stimulated local economic activity but also positioned Izumi as a forward-thinking city where heritage and innovation coexist.
Operating the U A I XR Workshop 24/7 has introduced both unexpected challenges and valuable opportunities. One of the biggest challenges was ensuring system stability and security around the clock. Because users may access the workshop remotely from anywhere in the world, we had to design robust authentication protocols, monitor equipment usage in real time, and implement predictive maintenance using AI to prevent downtime.Another challenge was human-related—despite being automated, some processes still require physical oversight. We addressed this by installing IoT sensors and cameras, and training local community staff to support basic troubleshooting.On the other hand, the always-accessible model has created unique opportunities. For example, artisans in different time zones can work collaboratively without having to adjust their schedules. Users with physical limitations or full-time jobs appreciate the ability to work late at night or early in the morning.Importantly, we discovered that 24/7 access fosters creativity. When people can access tools and XR interfaces on their own terms, they experiment more freely. This led to unplanned cross-industry collaborations and new use cases, such as using the workshop for cultural preservation, education, or prototyping for local startups.
The integration of smart glasses and XR technology within the U A I XR Workshop has significantly contributed to democratizing access to manufacturing and expanding entrepreneurial opportunities in Japan.By allowing users to visualize instructions, expert hand movements, and real-time feedback directly through smart glasses like Apple Vision Pro or Meta Quest 3, we eliminate the need for technical training or physical proximity. This empowers individuals with disabilities, people in remote areas, or those unfamiliar with machinery to engage in manufacturing processes on equal footing.The immersive guidance provided by XR lowers the learning curve, enabling even first-time users to operate equipment like 3D printers and laser cutters with confidence. This accessibility has led to a rise in micro-entrepreneurship, where creators who previously lacked access to tools or training can now design, produce, and even sell goods independently.Moreover, the use of XR enables asynchronous training and skill transfer, which is especially valuable in aging industrial regions. It fosters local innovation while preserving traditional know-how. Through the U A I XR Workshop, we’re redefining what it means to “participate” in craftsmanship—making it inclusive, borderless, and sustainable.
The black-themed “secret-base aesthetic” of the U A I XR Workshop was intentionally designed to stimulate imagination and focus, drawing inspiration from childhood dreams of hidden labs and creative sanctuaries.By minimizing visual distractions through a unified dark color scheme, users can immerse themselves more deeply in the XR experience and the act of making. This environment creates a sense of entering another world—a space where one can forget external constraints and engage with their own creativity without fear of judgment.The subdued lighting and high-contrast visuals also enhance the clarity of projected XR interfaces and holographic content, making it easier to follow instructions or visualize complex 3D models. Users have often described the space as feeling futuristic yet comfortable, which helps lower psychological barriers for beginners and fosters a sense of curiosity and playfulness essential for innovation.This “secret-base” concept isn’t just a design choice—it’s a psychological tool that nurtures focus, self-expression, and experimentation.
As XR technology continues to evolve, I believe several emerging developments will significantly enhance the capabilities and accessibility of U A I XR Workshop.Firstly, the integration of AI-powered motion analysis and feedback systems will make training more personalized and efficient. These systems will help users automatically identify mistakes and improve skills through real-time correction—without human intervention.Secondly, full-body and finger-level motion tracking using lightweight, camera-free wearable devices will enable more accurate skill recording and transfer. This will allow us to archive not only simple procedures but also complex, nuanced craftsmanship.Thirdly, 5G/6G communication and edge computing will reduce latency for real-time XR collaboration and remote manufacturing, making the workshop accessible even in rural or international locations with limited infrastructure.Finally, advances in multilingual XR interfaces and AI-powered automatic translation will allow people from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds to collaborate seamlessly.At USEYA, we’re currently testing these technologies with our partners, aiming to create a global network of decentralized, inclusive, and skill-sharing XR workshops by 2027.
Receiving the Bronze A' Design Award has been a meaningful milestone for us. It validated our belief that inclusive, XR-driven manufacturing systems can truly contribute to solving global challenges in skill transmission and access to creative infrastructure.This international recognition has amplified our confidence to scale the U A I XR Workshop model beyond Japan, particularly in regions facing talent shortages or physical barriers to traditional manufacturing. We are now exploring partnerships in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Europe to localize our system and support diverse communities.The award also elevated our credibility when speaking with governments, educational institutions, and industry stakeholders. It has helped us initiate dialogues about policy support, inclusive digital infrastructure, and cross-border knowledge transfer.Ultimately, the recognition has reinforced our long-term mission: to establish a global network of smart, accessible XR workshops that empower individuals—regardless of location, language, or ability—to participate in the future of sustainable manufacturing.
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