Eindhoven University of Technology relies on Lightware T...

The Eindhoven University of Technology is a research university in the Netherlands spanning 25 buildings, specialising in engineering, science and technology. Dedicated to ensuring students can thrive and learn without restrictions, the revered institution recently began a huge six-year AV upgrade project to improve and standardise technology across campus.

Lightware's Taurus UCX-4x3-HC40 and the Taurus Smart Dock were selected for the project due to their abilities to streamline user experience and integrate with existing AV infrastructure. As industry leaders in USB-C connectivity, standardising on Lightware's powerful cables also helps to future-proof the university's AV system and facilitate fast, reliable learning, collaboration and overall productivity for years to come.

We first became aware of Lightware's AV solutions when we visited Tilburg University and saw how the products had transformed their learning spaces. We contacted Hans at Lightware Belgium, who kindly invited us to the D sseldorf Training Center. Here, we were shown the impressive capabilities of the Taurus UCX-4x3-HC40 and knew this series would be a great fit for our classrooms and meeting rooms, recalls Ruud Vercoulen, Project Manager at Eindhoven University of Technology. Working with integration partners, Kinly, Presentation Partner and Fidato, the university began the task of transforming their rooms in November 2024.

The Taurus UCX-4x3-HC40 universal matrix switcher allows lecturers to connect their own laptops and effortlessly use the available assets of the room, including HDMI displays, cameras and other USB peripherals.

The USB-C connectivity offers a simplified transmission of 4K video, audio, control signals and power. Another great feature is the ability to charge connected laptops up to 100W, eliminating the need for users to be near a wall plug and therefore minimising disruptions during lessons, says Vercoulen. On the other hand, Taurus Smart Dock provides a hassle-free and ready to use solution for the university's meeting rooms.

Being able to set up quickly via one compact box and knowing that the connection will work perfectly is invaluable, explains Vercoulen. The integrated LARA automation also means designing, deploying and managing systems is quick and efficient. We can also use it to shut down room equipment automatically after use, vastly reducing energy consumption around campus.

During the summer, the university renovated a further 110 meeting rooms. Our Microsoft Teams Rooms, based on Cisco with dual screens are fitted with a Taurus UCX-1x1, allowing users to come in, touch one button and be ready to join the meeting, without even needing to connect their laptop. In our BYOD meeting rooms, which use Sennheiser Teams Connect bars, users are able to present to the screen by connecting their laptop via USB-C, whilst also making use of the room's peripherals, continues Vercoulen.

All future room upgrades will adhere to one of the above set ups, standardising Lightware's cutting-edge connectivity across campus to deliver high data transfer speeds, greater power and universal compatibility.

Previously, our rooms featured a combination of touchscreens and meeting gear, which required one HDMI cable and multiple USBs for different peripherals. To minimise issues and messy wires, we worked with the IT department to upgrade everyone's laptops to a USB-C standard. Changing connectivity to a single cable, along with Lightware's plug and go products, has revolutionised the everyday user experience here at the university, explains Vercoulen.

Although the installation is far from finished, both lecturers and students are already reaping the benefits of Lightware's products. The IT support team are receiving significantly less calls from users about connectivity issues and the intuitive user experience is making a difference to day-to-day users.

A particularly important benefit of the Taurus system in classroom and presentation environments is its reliability and simplicity: lecturers can walk into the room, plug in their laptop, and everything just works without compatibility problems or screen resolution issues.

Staff have commented on how easy the products are to use, and they really love the flexibility of being able to connect any device in a matter of seconds with just one cable, removing unnecessary equipment and stress. Because the Lightware range is so flexible, it is easy for us to make changes to technology in-house when necessary, ensuring the project can continue to expand and develop without any issues, says Vercoulen

When the six-year project is complete, the university will have upgraded over 600 meeting rooms and 150 classrooms with a Lightware-powered AV infrastructure that supports modern learning requirements whilst remaining adaptable for future expansion.

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