Absen has delivered a major COB LED deployment at Melbourne’s Swinburne University of Technology, powering the newly unveiled Swinburne Virtual Universe (SVU) — a purpose-built immersive environment believed to be the largest truly wraparound LED screen ever created for public education.

Officially launched on 30 April 2026, the installation spans more than 106 square metres and utilises Absen’s KLCOB1.5 PRO V2 LED technology to create a seamless visual canvas capable of transporting visitors from the university campus into highly detailed virtual journeys through space. The experience combines real astrophysics data, supercomputer-generated simulations, NVIDIA GPU technology and real-time rendering engines to allow audiences to explore planets, solar systems and deep-space environments in an immersive 3D setting.

Developed as part of Swinburne’s broader commitment to science communication and public engagement, the SVU is powered by content generated from the university’s OzSTAR and Ngarrgu Tindebeek supercomputers. The facility is designed to serve undergraduate students, researchers, school groups, families and the wider community, while also supporting Swinburne’s Film, Games and Animation programmes.

The scale and complexity of the project demanded display technology capable of delivering exceptional image quality at close viewing distances while maintaining seamless uniformity across a large-format wraparound environment. The installation also required long-term reliability, resilience in a public-facing setting and the ability to support continuous operation without compromising visual performance.

To meet these requirements, Swinburne selected Absen’s KLCOB1.5 PRO V2, featuring a 1.5mm pixel pitch and Chip-on-Board (COB) technology. The display platform delivers high contrast, deep black levels and fine-detail reproduction essential for immersive 3D visualisation, while the COB architecture provides enhanced durability and protection for high-traffic public environments.

Maintaining visual consistency across the expansive curved surface was equally critical. The KLCOB1.5 PRO V2’s construction and precision engineering ensure a seamless viewing experience from multiple angles, preserving the integrity of the content throughout the immersive environment.

“The facility is so unique that comparisons with other spaces are difficult, but it’s possible that it is the largest truly 3D wraparound LED screen for public education ever built,” says Professor Matthew Bailes, Project Lead at Swinburne University of Technology. “Our first school group shrieked with joy and ran up to embrace one of Mars’s moons as soon as it appeared floating in front of them. That made all the work behind its design, custom software development and engineering worthwhile.”

The project further strengthens Swinburne’s position within the global astronomy and astrophysics research community and complements its growing portfolio of scientific assets, including its partnership with the W. M. Keck Observatory.

“The Swinburne Virtual Universe showcases the full potential of advanced COB LED technology in creating truly immersive 3D visual experiences. Creating an immersive 3D LED environment across more than 106 square meters in a public educational setting demands exceptional image quality, reliability, and precision,” said Ruben Rengel, Vice President at Absen. “We are proud that the KLCOB1.5 PRO V2 was selected to power this remarkable installation and help deliver an experience that brings the universe closer to audiences of all ages.”

As the Swinburne Virtual Universe progressively opens to schools, families and the broader public, the project stands as a compelling example of how advanced display technologies are increasingly being used to bridge education, research and immersive storytelling. For Absen, it also represents another significant milestone in the growing adoption of COB LED technology across educational, cultural and public engagement environments worldwide.