How Synergiz Harbor innovates student learning through mixed reality

About SynergizFounded in 2011, Synergiz is a French company specializing in intuitive, connected, and interactive solutions, with strong expertise in Mixed Reality. With a commitment to technological excellence, Synergiz positions itself as a key player in digital transformation, collaborating with renowned partners such as Microsoft, Meta, Magic Leap, RealWear, HTC Vive, Apple, etc. Synergiz supports companies in their digital projects from start to finish through its comprehensive offering of hardware, software, and service solutions, as well as creation and development.In education, innovation has consistently been a driving force behind improved student learning outcomes. One of the key advancements in recent years has been the integration of mixed reality (MR) technology into learning environments. Harbor is at the forefront of this digital transformation by providing XR experiences that enhance knowledge sharing training, and engagement for students. Developed with Unity, Harbor is redefining how institutions like Bâtiment CFA Bretagne run training programs.Read on to learn how:- Harbor can be used to create custom mixed reality scenarios or projects.- Synergiz used Unity to build the Harbor software suite.- A training and apprenticeship center developed two hands-on MR workshops with Harbor to improve student learning outcomes.What is Synergiz Harbor?Harbor is an off-the-shelf, no-code software suite designed to facilitate immersive mixed reality experiences in educational and professional training settings. With Harbor, teachers can independently create their course materials in mixed reality. By combining the physical and digital worlds, this platform delivers dynamic, interactive environments where students can learn, practice, and perfect skills using a blend of virtual and real-world elements. Harbor is compatible with a variety of devices, including Apple Vision Pro, Microsoft HoloLens 2, Meta Quest 3, Magic Leap 2, as well as tablets, smart phones, and plans to support additional headsets.How Synergiz used Unity to develop HarborWhen Synergiz began developing Harbor in early 2020, the development team chose Unity Industry as its foundation. The decision was simple–Unity offered all the tools needed to bring their vision to life while aligning with their existing Unity expertise.Here’s why Unity was the ideal choice:1. Fast, efficient developmentLeveraging Unity enabled rapid prototyping and shortened Synergiz’s overall development timeline. The team’s prior experience with Unity tools meant they could jump right in and spend more time fine-tuning the user experience.2. Comprehensive XR development supportUnity’s suite of XR development solutions, including XR Interaction Toolkit, AR Foundation, and Unity OpenXR Plugin, enabled Synergiz to create advanced MR applications. These tools allowed for seamless integration of XR features into Harbor’s software.3. Cross-platform readinessThe initial version of Harbor was designed specifically to support the HoloLens 1. When the Synergiz team was ready to expand their platform support, Unity made it easy to expand Harbor’s compatibility to other AR and VR devices such as the Meta Quest 3 and Apple Vision Pro.4. Ongoing support and trainingUnity’s customer support and training programs played a vital role in overcoming technical challenges. Whether it was optimizing 3D models or supporting Universal Windows Platform (UWP) features, Unity’s expert resources kept the Synergiz team ahead of the curve with the latest XR advancements and rendering pipelines.Using Harbor to improve learning outcomes in training programsAt Bâtiment CFA Bretagne, Harbor was used to develop educational workshops for technician apprenticeships. Here, Erwan Gry, Electricity Trainer, collaborated with the team at Synergiz to implement two mixed reality workshops, built for the MetaQuest 3 using Harbor, into the Technician of Connected Infrastructures and Equipment diploma at CFA Morbihan.Within the platform, the two workshops trained students in motor mechanics and electrical safety. The electrical training workshop enables students to safely engage in solo training, with a guided 3D electrical procedure following step-by-step actions. The motor mechanic workshop involves a collaborative training around a 3D model of an asynchronous motor. The professor can modify the motor model by adding 3D animations, videos, and images for the students to interact with.These workshops resulted in several key benefits:Improved student outcomes: Students move beyond theoretical study, actively participating in simulations that mirror the real-world job.Scalability of coursework: The professor is able to reuse the content indefinitely, making it faster to tailor and adapt scenarios in the future.Risk-free practice: Students can safely make and correct mistakes without real-world consequences, building both confidence and competence.Feedback from the CFA has been overwhelmingly positive. Students report stronger engagement and higher degrees of confidence, while professors highlight the efficiency and adaptability of the MR-based workshops. One student from Bâtiment CFA Morbihan said, “it’s rewarding to try out new digital tools as part of our training,” another remarked, “integrating mixed reality gives us a more complete and also different perspective on our profession”.“For me, it makes perfect sense to incorporate mixed reality into this technical training. I'm very proud to have invested in this technology, which is now essential to our training program. – Erwan Gry, Electricity Trainer at Bâtiment CFA MorbihanUnlocking MR innovation with Synergiz HarborAs mixed reality continues to gain momentum in education, solutions like Harbor offer a glimpse into a future where learning is not only more accessible and engaging, but also more effective in building the skills required for tomorrow’s challenges. By leveraging Unity Industry, Synergiz not only was able to build out a cutting edge MR-solution, but they enabled their customers to develop immersive custom experiences.Synergiz’s impact extends beyond individual classrooms or educational training. Their broader mission is to support the creation of MR experiences across industries. Whether it's preparing students for high-stakes technical roles, or optimizing the layout of an industrial site without interfering with current operations, Synergiz is accustomed to helping organizations achieve their own digital transformation.