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#Futureshaper

An explorer of extended reality

Is there a future for medical technology without extended reality (XR)? Unthinkable, says XR Senior Key Expert Anton Ebert. This versatile "cross-border commuter" roaming between diverse disciplines sees XR as a key technology that builds bridges – between the human world and digital worlds. Learn more in part five of our #Futureshaper series.

8min
Katja Gäbelein
Published on October 11, 2022

Deft looking gestures, yet seemingly without purpose: Anton Ebert's hands move through the air in focused concentration. On the face of it, there's a peculiar aesthetic to his motions that at times calls up images of tai chi, the ancient Chinese art of exercise. That is, if Anton's head weren't wrapped in a virtual reality headset.

Anton Ebert

The thing that I love the most about my job is that I can collaborate with so many individuals and different personalities all around the world.

Anton Ebert
Senior Key Expert Extended Reality, Siemens Healthineers

Watch now: #Futureshaper video portrait of Anton

What is "extended reality" exactly?
While we use the term "extended reality" (or XR for short) as a collective umbrella term, this catch-all phrase actually comprises various technologies and types of applications:

How do you become an expert in extended reality?

Anton, smiling, bent over a tablet, talking to a group of smiling working students.

Gaming is part of it

Portrait of Anton. He is smiling, leaning against a glass door, and holding a pair of virtual reality glasses in his hands. You can see his reflection in the glass door.

Why do we need extended reality in medical technology?

Hospitals, physicians, and universities are already benefiting

VR training for surgeons

Close-up of virtual reality glasses with slight blur in background.

Simulating combined workflows

New ways of collaboration for a global company

A virtual innovation center

Back view of Anton, holding a pair of virtual reality glasses. Opposite is a glass facade in which he is reflected.

Hand in hand with other future technologies

Medical technology in the metaverse?

Haptics as a field of research

Anton is sitting relaxed on a beanbag chair. He has placed his outstretched feet with sneakers on a seat cushion.

Keeping our feet on the ground

By Katja Gäbelein

Katja Gäbelein works as an editor in corporate communications at Siemens Healthineers, and specializes in technology and innovation topics. She writes for text and film media. 

Assistant editor: Guadalupe Sanchez

  1. This text describes possibly future ideas and concepts. It is not intended to describe specific performance and/or safety characteristics of currently planned or future products. Future realization and availability cannot be guaranteed.

  2. Cinematic Reality is for education and communication. Not for diagnostic use. The application is still under development. Its future availability cannot be guaranteed.

  3. Siemens Healthineers is not the legal manufacturer of VR X-ray and VR Dosimetry. Any claims and statements made regarding this products are under the sole responsibility of the legal manufacturer Scilitics. Additionally, the product may not be commercially available in all countries. Please contact the legal manufacturer for more information.

  4. The products/features and/or service offerings (here mentioned) are not commercially available in all countries and/or for all modalities. If the services are not marketed in countries due to regulatory or other reasons, the service offering cannot be guaranteed. Please contact your local Siemens Healthineers organization for further details. Not for clinical use. For training purposes only.