The VMware Research Group (VRG) creates novel transformative technologies with unique differentiation for VMware’s products while advancing the state of the field through impact on the research community. We focus our efforts on key technical areas in computing which are informed by the current technology landscape and evolving future trends.

With the unprecedented progress of AI, substantial Machine Learning applications have become possible through advances in scalable computing systems and algorithms. These applications are now creating exciting research opportunities to rethink technology stacks, develop efficient algorithms that are effective across heterogeneous environments and diverse use cases, and radically simplify infrastructure planning, deployment and operations. Our current areas of research support these new opportunities and include trustworthy and efficient AI/ML, distributed cloud and edge systems, data processing systems and algorithms, networking, system verification, security and privacy.

It is clear that no single team can cover the full spectrum of applicable research, especially given the rapid pace of innovation around ML. At the same time, VMware’s product teams and customers who are transforming their operations, introduce new interesting research problems as well as become impactful destinations for novel research. Thus our technology translation and academic impact is achieved through close collaboration with our internal product groups as well as external academic partners.

The VRG puts a strong emphasis on building convincing prototypes and finding users for them, either customers, developers or academic researchers. Fielding prototypes create a feedback loop that helps refine the research agenda. They can also create customer “pull” that inspires business executives to invest in the new technology. Making sure the prototypes are realistic ensures that product teams cannot easily discount results, especially those that are counter-intuitive or disruptive to a pre-existing roadmap.

Explore VMware Research to see all the evolving projects as they unfold.