THE ROUND
Technology around you.
The Round, established by Mirko Compagno and Marco Pesci, brings together experts in information technology and digital technologies. Since 2009, it has been a pioneer in Italy, creating products and services in Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality. The Round is known for its dedication to evolving techniques, methodologies, and tools within these domains.
Our Process
Define
Refine
Design
Build
About Us
The Round, a brand established by Mirko Compagno and Marco Pesci, consists of a team of researchers specialized in information technology and digital technologies. Thanks to its founders, since 2009, The Round has been among the first in Italy to develop products and services in Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality, keeping pace with the evolving techniques, methodologies, and tools.
Over time, The Round’s team composition has expanded to include IT experts in various areas: from eXtended Reality to Web Development, from Human-Computer Interaction to Digital Marketing, and e-Learning 4.0. A key characteristic of the group is its ability to integrate innovative digital technologies. Currently, the team is involved in projects that combine eXtended Reality with Artificial Intelligence, such as the AIXReal project initiated in 2021.
For years, The Round has been collaborating with major companies engaged in advanced research and development of engineering and IT products and services across diverse sectors: Cultural Heritage, Health, Transport, Industry, Defense, Telecommunications, Aerospace, Education, and Agriculture.
Since 2017, The Round has been a division of ‘eXtended Reality and Innovation Management’ at Intech Microwaves Srl.
services
Generative AI
Generative AI is a subset of artificial intelligence technology specialized in generating novel and realistic content or data. It learns and extrapolates from existing datasets, employing advanced techniques such as Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) and deep learning models. This AI is adept at creating a wide range of original outputs, including text, images, music, and code. A distinctive feature of Generative AI is its ability to produce these outputs based on learned patterns and structures, rather than relying on explicit, predefined programming instructions.
Virtual Prototyping
Generative AI for Virtual Prototyping: we offer advanced virtual prototyping services that empower companies to efficiently visualize and rigorously test their products within Extended Reality (XR) environments. This approach enables a more thorough and cost-effective evaluation before proceeding with physical production.
AI
Generative Content Creation: we offer the development of AI algorithms for the automatic creation of unique game elements such as textures, objects, landscapes, and narratives, crafting personalized and unique gaming experiences for our clients.
Autonomous AI Characters: our service includes creating Non-Player Characters (NPCs) that learn from and react realistically to players’ actions, enhancing gaming experiences with dynamic social interactions.
Motivation
People find motivation in facing challenges, whether through playing games, acquiring wealth, or learning new skills in their environment.
Exploring
Exploring, socializing, and creating in 3D worlds has become the new pastime for Gen Z, and this is a crucial aspect of metaverse development.
Social
Metaverse environments provide an opportunity for genuine socialization with others.
Metaverse
We position ourselves at the intersection of virtual worlds and entertainment. We meticulously craft imaginative strategies and develop captivating in-game experiences for esteemed brands and entertainment companies. With a keen understanding of what captivates users in the metaverse concept, we seamlessly integrate these insights into every app, experience, or game we bring to life.
eXtended Reality
XR encompasses all immersive technologies which expand our real-world and combine them with virtual elements. It is a mode of interaction that includes augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality.
AI
Personalized Immersive Experiences: we specialize in using AI to dynamically adapt AR/VR/MR environments to users’ preferences and reactions, significantly enhancing engagement and creating more immersive experiences.
Generative Training Simulations: we develop customized training scenarios that dynamically adjust to users’ performance and learning needs, especially useful in fields like workplace safety and medical education.
Augmented Reality
AR involves the projection of digital elements – such as information, graphics, animation or images onto the real world so that the digital content being superimposed looks like it is part of the physical world.
Virtual Reality
Virtual reality (VR) provides a computer-generated 3D environment that surrounds a user and responds to an individual’s actions in a natural way, usually through immersive head-mounted displays. Gesture recognition or handheld controllers provide hand and body tracking.
Mixed reality
Mixed reality (MR) is a user environment in which physical reality and digital content are combined in a way that enables interaction with and among real-world and virtual objects. Unlike virtual reality (VR) which immerses the end-user in a completely digital environment, or augmented reality (AR) which layers digital content on top of a physical environment, mixed reality blends digital and real-world settings.
AI
Adaptive User Interfaces: our team designs user interfaces that intuitively adapt to the user’s context and previous interactions, ensuring systems are more user-friendly and intuitive.
Generative Feedback for Designers: we provide tools that automatically generate feedback on interface designs, offering improvements or alternatives based on established HCI principles.
UX / UI DESIGN
User experience (UX) design is the process design teams use to create products that provide meaningful and relevant experiences to users. User interface (UI) design is the process designers use to build interfaces in software or computerized devices, focusing on looks or style.
Multimodal and Natural Interaction
The term MULTIMODAL AND NATURAL INTERACTION refers to the combination of several (multi) natural methods of communication to interact with a system. Natural modalities of communication are, amongst others, gesture, gaze, speech, and touch; thereby making it more intuitive to untrained users. This interaction interface allows a user to employ their skilled and coordinated communicative behavior to control systems more naturally.
Natural User Interface design
User interfaces that you interact with using modalities such as touch, gestures, or voice are often referred to as Natural User Interfaces (NUI). We consider them interfaces that we find so easy to use that they feel natural.
Human-Computer Interaction
A discipline dealing with the design, evaluation, and implementation of interactive computing systems for human use and with the study of the major phenomena surrounding them.
Elearning 4.0
We have been producing e-learning content for large companies, SMEs and training institutions for 20 years. By the term e-learning 4.0 we mean a new generation of such contents in which some of the enabling technologies of Industry 4.0 such as augmented reality and 3D printing are implemented.
AI
Dynamic Learning Content: we implement AI systems that automatically generate and tailor learning content, adjusting the difficulty and topics according to the user’s progress.
AI Virtual Tutors: our service involves creating AI virtual tutors capable of guiding students through learning materials, providing personalized responses to questions, and offering tailored support.
Course Creation
The actual production of the software version of a course for online delivery and the supporting instructional materials. Companies involved in the development of online courses are often required to have technology-specific knowledge and skills – digitizing, converting file formats, operation of specific software programs, and programming.
CUSTOM LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Custom LMS is software that is developed to meet specific eLearning needs with custom course building tools for creating interactive eLearning content, native integrations with HRIS, CRM, and other business systems, custom reports and dashboards, gamification features, and more.
Strategy Consulting
AI
Generative Creativity for Campaigns: we utilize AI to generate creative and innovative ideas for advertising campaigns, slogans, or graphic designs, leveraging market trends and consumer preferences.
Real-Time Personalized Content: our service includes developing dynamic content for websites and social media platforms, which adapts in real time to the users’ interests and interactions.
Branding
We offer comprehensive branding services from name creation to designing a visual identity that aligns with your target audience. Our process includes market research, brand voice and personality development, logo design incorporating color psychology and typography, and the creation of brand guidelines for consistent application across platforms.
Digital
Our digital strategy encompasses website development with a focus on user experience, SEO, and responsive design. We craft custom digital marketing campaigns integrating content marketing, SEO, SEM, and email strategies, utilizing AI and machine learning for data-driven insights and personalization. Our approach also prioritizes mobile optimization and emerging digital platforms.
Social
We focus on building a strong online community for your brand through social media. This includes audience analysis, platform-specific content strategies, multimedia content creation, influencer collaborations, and community engagement. We leverage social media advertising with targeted campaigns, continually analyzing metrics for optimized engagement and ROI.
Marketing 4.0
Thanks to Marketing 4.0, companies can relate to customers by creating a more emotional connection and by exploiting multi-channel communication. Corporate blogs, social networks, online sharing platforms emphasize the increasingly direct relationship between offer and request.
services
Generative AI
Generative AI is a subset of artificial intelligence technology specialized in generating novel and realistic content or data. It learns and extrapolates from existing datasets, employing advanced techniques such as Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) and deep learning models. This AI is adept at creating a wide range of original outputs, including text, images, music, and code. A distinctive feature of Generative AI is its ability to produce these outputs based on learned patterns and structures, rather than relying on explicit, predefined programming instructions.
Virtual Prototyping
Generative AI for Virtual Prototyping: we offer advanced virtual prototyping services that empower companies to efficiently visualize and rigorously test their products within Extended Reality (XR) environments. This approach enables a more thorough and cost-effective evaluation before proceeding with physical production.
Metaverse
We position ourselves at the intersection of virtual worlds and entertainment. We meticulously craft imaginative strategies and develop captivating in-game experiences for esteemed brands and entertainment companies. With a keen understanding of what captivates users in the metaverse concept, we seamlessly integrate these insights into every app, experience, or game we bring to life.
AI
Generative Content Creation: we offer the development of AI algorithms for the automatic creation of unique game elements such as textures, objects, landscapes, and narratives, crafting personalized and unique gaming experiences for our clients.
Autonomous AI Characters: our service includes creating Non-Player Characters (NPCs) that learn from and react realistically to players’ actions, enhancing gaming experiences with dynamic social interactions.
Motivation
People find motivation in facing challenges, whether through playing games, acquiring wealth, or learning new skills in their environment.
Exploring
Exploring, socializing, and creating in 3D worlds has become the new pastime for Gen Z, and this is a crucial aspect of metaverse development.
Social
Metaverse environments provide an opportunity for genuine socialization with others.
eXtended Reality
XR encompasses all immersive technologies which expand our real world and combine it with virtual elements. It is a mode of interaction which includes augmented reality, virtual reality and mixed reality.
AI
Personalized Immersive Experiences: we specialize in using AI to dynamically adapt AR/VR/MR environments to users’ preferences and reactions, significantly enhancing engagement and creating more immersive experiences.
Generative Training Simulations: we develop customized training scenarios that dynamically adjust to users’ performance and learning needs, especially useful in fields like workplace safety and medical education.
Augmented Reality
AR involves the projection of digital elements – such as information, graphics, animation or images onto the real world so that the digital content being superimposed looks like it is part of the physical world.
Virtual Reality
Virtual reality (VR) provides a computer-generated 3D environment that surrounds a user and responds to an individual’s actions in a natural way, usually through immersive head-mounted displays. Gesture recognition or handheld controllers provide hand and body tracking.
Mixed reality
Mixed reality (MR) is a user environment in which physical reality and digital content are combined in a way that enables interaction with and among real-world and virtual objects. Unlike virtual reality (VR) which immerses the end-user in a completely digital environment, or augmented reality (AR) which layers digital content on top of a physical environment, mixed reality blends digital and real-world settings.
Human-Computer Interaction
A discipline dealing with the design, evaluation and implementation of interactive computing systems for human use and with the study of the major phenomena surrounding them.
AI
Adaptive User Interfaces: our team designs user interfaces that intuitively adapt to the user’s context and previous interactions, ensuring systems are more user-friendly and intuitive.
Generative Feedback for Designers: we provide tools that automatically generate feedback on interface designs, offering improvements or alternatives based on established HCI principles.
UX / UI DESIGN
User experience (UX) design is the process design teams use to create products that provide meaningful and relevant experiences to users. User interface (UI) design is the process designers use to build interfaces in software or computerized devices, focusing on looks or style.
Multimodal and Natural Interaction
The term MULTIMODAL AND NATURAL INTERACTION refers to the combination of several (multi) natural methods of communication to interact with a system. Natural modalities of communication are, amongst others, gesture, gaze, speech, and touch; thereby making it more intuitive to untrained users. This interaction interface allows a user to employ their skilled and coordinated communicative behavior to control systems more naturally.
Natural User Interface design
User interfaces that you interact with using modalities such as touch, gestures, or voice are often referred to as Natural User Interfaces (NUI). We consider them interfaces that we find so easy to use that they feel natural.
Elearning 4.0
We have been producing e-learning contents for large companies, SMEs and training institutions for 20 years. By the term e-learning 4.0 we mean a new generation of such contents in which some of the enabling technologies of Industry 4.0 such as augmented reality and 3D printing are implemented.
AI
Dynamic Learning Content: we implement AI systems that automatically generate and tailor learning content, adjusting the difficulty and topics according to the user’s progress.
AI Virtual Tutors: our service involves creating AI virtual tutors capable of guiding students through learning materials, providing personalized responses to questions, and offering tailored support.
Course Creation
The actual production of the software version of a course for online delivery and the supporting instructional materials. Companies involved in the development of online courses are often required to have technology-specific knowledge and skills – digitizing, converting file formats, operation of specific software programs, and programming.
CUSTOM LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Custom LMS is software that is developed to meet specific eLearning needs with custom course building tools for creating interactive eLearning content, native integrations with HRIS, CRM, and other business systems, custom reports and dashboards, gamification features, and more.
Strategy Consulting
Marketing 4.0
Thanks to Marketing 4.0, companies can relate to customers by creating a more emotional connection and by exploiting a multi-channel communication. Corporate blogs, social networks, online sharing platforms emphasize that increasingly direct relationship between offer and request.
AI
Generative Creativity for Campaigns: we utilize AI to generate creative and innovative ideas for advertising campaigns, slogans, or graphic designs, leveraging market trends and consumer preferences.
Real-Time Personalized Content: our service includes developing dynamic content for websites and social media platforms, which adapts in real time to the users’ interests and interactions.
Branding
We offer comprehensive branding services from name creation to designing a visual identity that aligns with your target audience. Our process includes market research, brand voice and personality development, logo design incorporating color psychology and typography, and the creation of brand guidelines for consistent application across platforms.
Digital
Our digital strategy encompasses website development with a focus on user experience, SEO, and responsive design. We craft custom digital marketing campaigns integrating content marketing, SEO, SEM, and email strategies, utilizing AI and machine learning for data-driven insights and personalization. Our approach also prioritizes mobile optimization and emerging digital platforms.
Social
We focus on building a strong online community for your brand through social media. This includes audience analysis, platform-specific content strategies, multimedia content creation, influencer collaborations, and community engagement. We leverage social media advertising with targeted campaigns, continually analyzing metrics for optimized engagement and ROI.
Ready to Start a Project?
ContactINDUSTRY 4.0
Simple, Fast, Wow.
Business Model & Process
Technology alone is not sufficient to transform your organization into a Business 4.0 entity. It’s necessary to revisit the company’s business model, optimize business processes for new work methodologies, and enhance communication processes to increase customer engagement, loyalty, and trust. Implementing training and orientation programs for staff is also crucial. These elements are the true drivers of successful innovation.
Together, we will analyze how to transition to Industry 4.0 sustainably, protecting previous investments while ensuring a quick return on new investments and boosting revenue. Our approach includes providing the most appropriate technological solutions, as well as strategic and operational guidance, to align your business model, organization, and processes with the ongoing changes.
WE’VE WORKED FOR
COLLABORATIONS
COLLABORATIONS
News on Augmented, Mixed and Virtual Reality
Quantum Metaverse
The Metaverse and quantum computing are two emerging technological frontiers destined to radically transform how we interact with the digital world and solve complex problems. READ MOREAugmented Reality Has An Image Problem
To date, Augmented Reality (AR) has been referred to as “the biggest technological advancement of our lifetime” by some, a mere “gimmick” by others or, worst yet, the next iteration of the QR code. The divisive term was introduced more than 25...
Introducing The New Yorker’s Mind-Blowing Virtual-Reality App
Dopo l'editoria digitale, arriva quella virtuale. Il settimanale statunitense 'New Yorker', lancia un'app per leggere la rivista sfruttando la realtà virtuale. In pratica si indossano dei visori simili a quelli usati nei videogiochi e si sfogliano le...
Microsoft brevetta la UI in tre dimensioni
Non un brevetto qualsiasi quello assegnato a Microsoft nelle scorse ore ma una vera e propria interfaccia in 3D. Essi avete letto bene, in un’era in cui i visori virtuali permettono un esperienza di vita a 360°, l’azienda di Redmond ha deciso di...
Microsoft granted patent for 3D Live tiles
A few years ago, Microsoft applied for a patent of a 3D cube-based user interface element based on its Live Tile theory. The patent covered a cube based Live Tile that could rotate in 3-dimensional space and house smaller cubes or subfolders within the larger Live...
Marriott introduce la realtà virtuale in camera
Marriott Hotels lancia VRoom Service, innovativo servizio che permette di vivere affascinanti esperienze di realtà virtuale senza uscire dalla propria camera. Realizzato in collaborazione con Samsung Electronics America si avvale di Samsung Gear Vr, un gadget...
Netflix entra nella realtà virtuale
Nel contesto dell'Oculus Connect 2015 molti produttori di contenuti hanno annunciato il proprio supporto per la realtà virtuale, che si preannuncia la next big thing del 2016. A tal fine si sono espressi 20th Century Fox (cui dedicheremo un articolo a parte),...
Oculus Connect: Company Chief Scientist Outlines R&D Agenda
Oculus chief scientist Michael Abrash urged attendees to “build the future together” as he outlined an enormous virtual reality research effort that will involve developments that address the human perceptual system, reconstructing reality and...
Tuffo nella realtà aumentata da un letto a 5 stelle a Londra e New York con il Samsung Gear VR
Un hotel a 5 stelle, un letto comodissimo e una tecnologia tra le più avanzate. A New York e Londra questi tre elementi si incontrano dando vita al VRoom Service. I clienti possono infatti vivere un’esperienza di realtà aumentata direttamente in...
Star Wars arriva in realtà virtuale
Il 2015 sarà un anno fondamentale per i fan di Star Wars, con l’arrivo nei cinema de Il risveglio della Forza. Ma come reagireste se vi dicessimo che potrete visitare la galassia lontana lontana grazie a Oculus Rift? È esattamente questo il...