27-01-2026
News
When a global crisis becomes an innovation catalyst – this is how Lightspace Technologies transformed a technological niche into a medical opportunity. Through the VR Health Champions project, the Latvian start-up not only refined its groundbreaking AR headset but also accelerated its market journey thanks to strategic collaboration and regulatory insights.
This time, we’re speaking with Roberts Zabels, Researcher and Lead Technology Analyst of one of our flagship SMEs in the VR Health Champions project – LightSpace.
From Crisis to Vision: The Origin Story of LightSpace
When the pandemic disrupted the world, the team at LightSpace saw not just a challenge – but a calling. “We realised there was a niche in the stereoscopic display industry that hadn’t been addressed,” recalls Roberts Zabels, one of the minds behind LightSpace’s cutting-edge AR hardware. Armed with proprietary volumetric screen technology, the team began reimagining how augmented reality could genuinely serve healthcare.
Beyond the Screen: Solving Real-World Challenges in Surgery
Their solution is no generic headset – it’s a 3D optical platform designed specifically for use-case developers in healthcare. Working closely with MedApp – also one of the five flagship SMEs in the VR Health Champions project – they’ve helped push forward image-guided surgical navigation systems, focusing on real issues like visual disorientation, eye strain and depth misjudgement. “People do appreciate an approach where the peculiarities of human vision are not ignored – that’s what makes the difference” says Zabels.
Lessons from the Front Lines of Innovation
LightSpace is currently operating at TRL6–7, depending on application, with a mature core technology and modular add-ons under development. But innovation hasn’t come easy – technical complexities and regulatory hurdles have been major roadblocks. And yet, Roberts remains undeterred: “A well-balanced small team can take on large corporations – at least in some aspects.” He credits their progress not to lucky breaks, but to a culture of learning and grit. “There’s a lesson at every corner. People define success, and a dedicated team will always find a way through.”
VR Health Champions: A Framework for Growth
The VR Health Champions project proved to be a turning point for LightSpace. It didn’t just connect them with other SMEs – it provided crucial insight into the regulatory landscape, helping them frame their roadmap with more confidence. “VRHC helped us identify our regulatory pathway – and being surrounded by other SMEs striving and succeeding gave us momentum. It’s a great framework not just for tech, but for perspective.” The collaboration with MedApp has accellerated the hardware development for healthcare as needs of content developers together with safety aspects highlight the particular road to take.
Building Trust, One Engineer at a Time
At the heart of LightSpace is founder Ilmārs Osmanis, a visionary who introduced an entirely new branch of optics to the Latvian tech ecosystem. Many of the R&D team members have been with the company since the beginning – some starting as interns, now central to the company’s trajectory. “We’ve had time to rub our gears together – in good and bad times. That trust is what propels us forward.”
What’s Next?
While Zabels is cautious about early declarations, the team is already eyeing new markets thanks to the international visibility the project has provided. And though it may take time for partnerships to mature, LightSpace’s momentum is undeniable. Their journey proves that in the right environment – where bold tech meets meaningful support – even the most niche ideas can become game-changers in healthcare.
