Building multi-user XR where CAVE, headset, phone and desktop users work side by side.
Get to know me

I build multi-user VR and mixed-reality applications with Unreal Engine 5 (C++ and Blueprint) for research, education and industry - from headset and desktop clients to CAVE/nDisplay installations. Over the years I have led product and engineering teams, shipped platforms such as Millealab, and taught the next generation of developers.
Today I do XR research at RWTH Aachen, focused on multi-user and asymmetric collaboration, and I help build an inclusive talent ecosystem as COO of LAYAK Foundation. Catalize is where I share my work: if you have a project, a study or a research idea that needs a builder, I would love to hear from you.
Andrew Steven Puika
How I can help
VR, AR and mixed-reality experiences in Unreal Engine 5 and Unity - for Meta Quest and PC headsets, desktop clients and CAVE/nDisplay walls.
Experiment-ready VR applications for user studies: eye tracking, locomotion, passthrough and logging, built to be reproducible and easy to run.
Mechanics, narrative and visuals for games across platforms, from first prototype to shipped product.
Gameplay and engine-level C++, Blueprint integration, plugins, performance work and CI/CD pipelines for Unreal projects.
APIs, data sync and scalable backends that keep multi-user and cross-platform applications running smoothly.
Fast, clear websites and the business automation behind them, tailored to how your team actually works.
What my clients think about me
Check out my Resume
I learned the foundations of IT with a focus on multimedia and game applications.
Built a cross-ministerial clearance-approval application to supervise and license incoming foreign ships.
Shaped how the company operates and introduced a positive culture to the development team.
Studied how to build scalable, accountable software systems, with a focus on Human-Computer Interaction.
Researched and developed a multimodal VR interaction system that is customizable and adaptable to any scenario.
Responsible for research and development of all products and projects, including the development lifecycle and upskilling the team. One of our products, Millealab, is impacting the education sector.
As the COO of LAYAK, I oversee daily operations and ensure the efficient execution of the company's strategy. My role includes managing the logistics of product development, coordinating LAYAK School's programs, and ensuring smooth functioning across all departments.
I focus on optimizing processes, maintaining quality standards, and driving operational excellence to support LAYAK's mission of empowering people with disabilities. I work closely with the CEO to align operations with strategic goals, manage resources, and foster a collaborative team environment to achieve organizational success.
I work in Infrastructure, Software and Services (ISS), where I develop projects, mentor student workers, and carry out research on multi-user XR and asymmetric collaboration.
My vision for XR: people join the same immersive session with whatever they have - a CAVE, a head-mounted display, a mobile phone or a desktop - and each takes a full part. Making that work well is how I want XR to support effective skills transfer.
My level of knowledge in some tools
Beyond mastering tech stacks, I fuel my passion for technology by sharing knowledge with students. Witnessing their growth brings me joy. Technology is my playground, and I use it to build impactful solutions.
This passion translates into impactful solutions at SHINTA VR. My team and I build immersive experiences across education, skills development, and entertainment. Our work has been recognized by the World Economic Forum and UNSECO-UNEVOC. I thrive in collaborative spaces where together, we create meaningful results.
What I am curious about
I research multi-user XR and asymmetric collaboration: CAVE, head-mounted display, mobile phone and desktop users sharing one experience and each contributing fully. When people can join with the device they already have, skills transfer faster and more people can take part. That is the vision behind my work at RWTH Aachen.
I build the systems I study. The themes below are what I am working on, and where I am looking for partners.
How movement models in multi-user VR - across headset, desktop and CAVE clients - shape comfort, presence and collaboration.
Using eye-tracking data for gaze-based interaction, attention analysis and world-space selection in immersive environments.
Blending the real desk, keyboard and screen into virtual workspaces so people can work naturally inside XR.
Body, hand and face tracking for believable avatars, and how embodiment changes the way people behave in shared spaces.
CAVE, head-mounted display, mobile and desktop users in one shared session, each with a role that fits their device and all working toward the same goal.
Designing immersive technology and creative careers that are open to people of all abilities.
My research outputs are listed on ORCID.
View my ORCID record Collaborate with meShowcasing some of my best work
Research, projects and ideas are welcome
Tell me briefly what you are working on and what you need - I read every message.