VRARA NYC Chapter Welcomes New Advisors

VRARA NYC Chapter President Cindy Mallory is excited to announce the addition of Andrew Stapp and Lucky Lance Gobindram to the VRARA NYC Advisory board. Their expertise will further allow the NYC community to flourish in a community that values and nurtures creativity and ambition.

Lucky Lance K. Gobindram is the co-founder and General Manager at CXR.Agency, an award-winning full-cycle software development and IT consulting company renowned for delivering groundbreaking experiences across web, mobile, XR, AI, and blockchain technologies. With over 15 years of experience in the digital industry, Lucky has honed his passion for designing and building comprehensive solutions that seamlessly blend effective design with the latest technologies. 

As a results-oriented and experienced technology executive, Lucky specializes in connecting audiences to products, services, and people through strategic innovation. His proven track record includes successfully deploying emerging technologies into commercial successes across diverse platforms, industries, and markets. A recognized futurist and lecturer, Lucky is frequently invited to speak on topics such as the change in social capital, practical applications of XR, and the next app gold rush. His mission is to transform brands with revolutionary digital experiences, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the digital realm.

 Andrew Stapp is an extended reality software engineer and educator in NYU's Immersive Technology Lab. He works at the forefront of interactive media, blending art, design, and computer science to create immersive XR solutions for all industries. He has extensive experience working hand in hand with both public and private sectors, educating and training all levels in XR technology. Recently, Andrew served as a Fulbright Specialist in Tunisia, where he taught XR, further expanding his impact and commitment to advancing immersive technologies globally.  

Call for Speakers: VRARA New York Chapter - Showcase Your Work!

Dear VRARA New York Chapter Members,

We are excited about our upcoming events being organized right now. The New York Chapter of the VRARA is now looking for engaging and passionate speakers who are willing to share their work, insights, and experiences with fellow industry professionals and enthusiasts at our in-person networking socials and demo days.

We are seeking speakers who:

• Are current members of the VRARA.

• Have cutting-edge knowledge and expertise in VR/AR.

• Have developed groundbreaking projects, tools, or methodologies in the field.

• Can deliver an engaging and informative presentation 

Perks of participating:

• Showcase your work.

• Network with fellow industry experts, business leaders, and VR/AR enthusiasts.

• Receive recognition and build your professional reputation.

• Obtain valuable feedback and spark new collaborations.

How to Apply:

To submit your interest or proposal, please contact the NY Chapter President, Cindy Mallory, at cindy@thevrara.com.

Spaces are limited, and we encourage you to apply soon to secure your opportunity to contribute in the upcoming VRARA NY chapter events, including a Manhattan event early September. Should you have any questions or need additional information, please don't hesitate to contact Cindy via email or LinkedIn.

ENGAGE Unveils New AI Customer Service Virtual Employee Named Athena

NEW YORK, Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ENGAGE XR Holdings Plc (AIM: EXR; Euronext Growth: EXR), a virtual reality ('VR') technology company and provider of virtual communications solutions in the metaverse, today announced the launch of Athena, an augmented reality (AI) employee that integrates AI into a virtual reality (VR) environment for ENGAGE enterprise clients. Athena takes the concept of customer service chatbots to the next level using Open AI programs ChatGPT-3 and DALL.E allowing enterprise clients the ability to have full, interactive conversations with the avatar within the ENGAGE metaverse. Click HERE and HERE to experience Athena.

“The launch of Athena is going to open up endless possibilities for enterprise clients and change the future of the metaverse,” said David Whelen, CEO and co-founder of ENGAGE. “With just a prompt or two, users can have full conversations with Athena inside the ENGAGE platform and ask her just about anything from completing simple tasks and answering basic questions to creating complex and unique installations within the metaverse.”

Traditionally, customer service chatbots are software or computer program interfaces that simulate human-like conversations via text or voice interactions. Up until now, chatbots have been programmed using keywords and preset scripts, which can limit their functionality and usefulness. Athena’s AI intelligence takes the customer service chat functionality further for ENGAGE Link users. Athena can provide advice, answer questions, source media for playback, create AI imagery, find 3D objects, create sticky notes, and interact with key functions of the platform. This is all done via an animated avatar body giving people who interact with Athena the sense they are speaking with a real person. The AI functionality also enables Athena the ability to learn and enhance her intelligence the more she interacts with people, improving her performance and responding more naturally to conversational prompts.

“We named ENGAGE’s companion, Athena, after the Greek goddess of wisdom, handicraft and practical reason,” said Whelan. “As our clients continue to interact with Athena, she will expand her intelligence with each prompt and conversation. The introduction of Athena is only the beginning of an extensive roadmap we have planned for AI metaverse applications.”

Over the coming weeks, engineers at ENGAGE will be adding more functionality and connectivity to Athena, utilizing different AI programs. She will be given access to hundreds of technical documents training her to become an expert on the ENGAGE platform and helping to enhance her responses to become more humanlike.

ENGAGE XR plans to provide custom AI employees for its enterprise clients at a premium in the future. Each custom avatar will be tailored with a unique personality and will be provided all the technical knowledge they will need to support each individual company’s goals and tasks. The avatars will be able to take on a host of client-facing tasks which include tech support, training, education and moderation.

To learn more about ENGAGE XR and Athena, please visit the company’s blog and website https://engageplc.com and follow us on social on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube and Facebook.

About ENGAGE XR
ENGAGE XR Holdings plc (AIM: EXR; Euronext Growth: EXR) is a metaverse technology company focused on becoming a leading global provider of virtual communications solutions through its new fully featured corporate metaverse, ENGAGE Link. The Company also has a proprietary software platform, ENGAGE. ENGAGE provides users with a platform for creating, sharing, and delivering VR content for education, training, and online events through its three solutions: Virtual Campus, Virtual Office, and Virtual Events. EXR is listed on AIM in London and on the Euronext Growth Market in Dublin, a market operated by Euronext Dublin. For further information, please visit https://engageplc.com and follow us on social on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube and Facebook.

Contact: 

K Squared Group
Kelly Kaufman
kelly@ksquaredgroup.com

ENGAGE XR Holdings Plc
Sandra Whelan, COO
info@engagexr.co

The Estonian Miracle: E-Estonia and the Future of Digital Infrastructure

Post originally appearing on nyu.edu by Mathis Bitton..

Web3, or the promise of a decentralized internet powered by blockchain technology, is reshaping entire industries. But these cutting-edge developments have barely affected the public sector. While companies experiment at the frontier, local and national governments continue to use outdated software, with no political will to renovate the country’s digital infrastructure as we renovate its physical infrastructure. Apart from exceptions like Miami’s Francis Suarez, few local leaders are willing to embrace burgeoning technologies. The result? A sclerotic public sector that does not capture the value that private innovation can bring to cities and nations.

Outside of the US, one government stands out in its pioneering integration of new technologies: Estonia. The country, which regained independence after the Soviet collapse of 1991, had to rebuild its economy from the ground up. At the time, the country’s infrastructure consisted of dysfunctional remnants of the Soviet era. Most Estonians did not have a phone line or access to public services, particularly in the countryside. More problematic still, the country’s small size and lack of infrastructure made it difficult to compete in conventional markets. No matter the industry, companies preferred to work in more developed economies in Western and Central Europe, trapping Estonia in a perpetual cycle of under-development.

To escape this situation, then-Prime Minister Mart Laar made a risky bet: to turn Estonia into a leader of the digital age. At the time, the internet seemed like a great equalizer. Unlike real-world industries, which required extensive infrastructure and advantaged larger countries, the burgeoning internet economy allowed Estonia to compete on an even playing field. Thirty years later, Estonia has become a digital powerhouse, integrating technologies like digital ID, blockchain-enabled voting, and decentralized data storage into its government’s day-to-day operations. For cities and countries looking to harness the potential of new technologies, the Estonian case represents a model to emulate. Let’s dive in.

Understanding the Digital Revolution

Estonia’s digitization efforts began with the “Tiigrihüpe,” or Tiger Leap program. Led by future President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, the program focused on two projects. First, the government invested heavily in network infrastructure via public-private partnerships. Second, schools across the country received computers and support to launch large-scale digital education initiatives. By 1997, 97% of Estonian schools had an internet connection, and most Estonian banks offered online account management services. Ilves, a technologist, understood that education and infrastructure were pre-conditions for the digital revolution. With the right human capital and extensive resources in place, the country was ready to be transformed by the end of the 1990s. The next revolution revolved around five pillars.

Digital Identity: All Estonians have a state-issued digital identity. This electronic identity system, called eID, is the cornerstone of the country’s e-state. e-ID and its ecosystem are part of people’s daily transactions in the public and private sectors. People use their e-IDs to pay bills, vote online, sign contracts, shop, access their health information, and much more. Estonians can use their e-ID via state-issued identity or ID-card, using Mobile-ID on their smartphones or the application Smart-ID.

Digital Governance: Estonia’s governance rests on three technologies. First, Internet voting (i-Voting) allows voters to cast their ballots from any internet-connected computer anywhere in the world. Second, the e-File is the heart of the Estonian judicial system; it provides data to the country’s court information system and the information systems of the police, jails, prosecutors, and criminal case management. Third, the Government Cloud supports the modernization and renewal of existing information systems, partnering with the private sector to embrace opportunities offered by new technologies as soon as they become available. As a result, 99 percent of public services are available online 24 hours a day, and Estonia saves over 1400 years of working time annually thanks to its digital governance infrastructure.

Digital Healthcare: Anyone in Estonia who has visited a doctor has an online Electronic Health Record (e-Health Record) record that can be tracked. The e-Health Record integrates data from Estonia’s different healthcare providers to create a common record that every patient can access online. Functioning like a centralized, national database, the e-Health Record retrieves data as necessary from various institutions, which may be using different systems, and presents it in a standard format via the e-Patient portal. Identified by the electronic ID-card, the health information is kept completely secure and, at the same time, accessible to authorized individuals. The use of blockchain technology ensures data integrity and mitigates internal threats to the data.

Digital Business Infrastructure: With the highest number of unicorns per capita, Estonia consistently ranks as one of the most open economies in the world. The digital solutions offered to businesses — digital signatures, electronic tax claims, and the availability of public records online — provide transparency and efficiency. In particular, Estonia’s e-Business Register is an advanced tool that allows entrepreneurs to register a new business online in just minutes without going to a notary or some other official. Since 2011, most companies have been established online using the e‑Business Register; the time associated with the registration process has fallen from five days to a couple of hours.

Cybersecurity: Estonia has designed its blockchain ecosystem (KSI) to ensure that networks, systems, and data are secure, decentralized, and 100% private. The government has also partnered with private companies specializing in data sharing to ensure that its digital services are interoperable and protected by state-of-the-art cryptography. The country has also established “data embassies” abroad to ensure that citizens’ data would remain attack-proof if government servers were hacked.

A Blueprint for Adventurous Statesmen

Estonia’s uncompromising bet on digital infrastructure has paid off. Once a desolate post-Soviet economy searching for vitality, the country has become a global leader. Thanks to its efficient government, it attracts top engineers and operates at the frontier of web3. This story should be a source of inspiration for local and national leaders. If a small country of 1.3 million inhabitants and no pre-existing resources can succeed, so should larger cities with established advantages. From Estonia’s bet on education to its creative use of digital ID, the country’s trajectory represents a blueprint to be followed. But the Estonian miracle also shows the importance of statesmanship and risk-taking. Without leaders like Toomas Hendrik Ilves, who bet on early-stage technologies when no one else would, Estonia would not be where it is today. This lesson applies to the United States: without bold, adventurous politicians willing to embrace experimentation, the future of the internet will continue to be written by the private sector alone. 

Watch the recording of our VRARA panel at the MIT Enterprise Forum

Our VRARA NYC Chapter collaborated with MIT Enterprise Forum to put together a panel to discuss the big moves Microsoft has recently made in VR/AR.

New information about ThirdEye AR Platform and solutions for the pharmaceutical industry

ThirdEye released new information about its augmented and mixed reality platforms and solutions for the pharmaceutical industry. Aimed at decreasing time to market for new drugs and products, ThirdEye's AR & MR solutions are allowing pharma organizations to reduce errors and operating costs throughout the R&D stage of creating new medications and medical devices! Multi-dimensional representations of these same medications and devices also allow sales and marketing teams in the pharma industry to demonstrate the overall effectiveness of these innovations to doctors and pharmacy wholesalers.

Learn more about ThirdEye's augmented and mixed reality solutions for the pharmaceutical industry by watching its newest video below!

The VR/AR Association NYC Chapter welcomes Karen McFarlane, President of the American Marketing Association New York to its Board of Advisors

The VR/AR Association is happy to announce that marketing innovator and strategist, Karen McFarlane joins the chapter as Advisor.

As a 25-year marketing veteran, Karen brings a deep knowledge of brand strategy, omnichannel marketing, digital content, technology, and customer experience to the fold. She currently serves as President of the American Marketing Association New York and Chief Marketing Officer of Kaye Media Partners, a strategic marketing practice that specializes in technology, innovation, and revenue generation.

“Digital transformation has pushed organizations into a new realm of customer engagement compelling us to reshape how we think about doing business. This is especially true for marketers who must respond to high levels of industry disruption by creating new ways to differentiate, add value, and interact with buyers,” noted McFarlane. “Only by leveraging innovative technologies like AR and VR, can we tap our creativity and unleash opportunities that will upend the customer experience. But that will only happen if we immerse ourselves in the possibilities. That’s why I’m excited to be part of an organization that is leading the way in the marketing capital of the world.”

New York City Chapter President Gordon Meyer added “We are looking forward to working with Karen on chapter strategy in support of our mission to build connections between innovative companies and people in the VR and AR ecosystem. Through a strategic collaboration with AMA New York, we will be able to amplify our reach through research projects and education as well as connect our unique member audiences in meaningful and relevant ways.” 

Recently Mr. Meyer has announced a push to align with fellow associations in New York City as well as highlight the company and corporate members of the association within the tri-state area. “We’re building a strong, well-informed and resourceful network within the ecosystem of our fellow associations. Karen brings a wealth of knowledge and a powerful perspective as well as a great positive energy to the team and I’m excited to have her on board.”

For more information on the NYC Chapter of the VRARA visit: https://www.thevrara.com/nyc-chapter/ 

Recap of XR in Theatre: Immersing New Audiences – Leading XR Theatre Producers Discuss Their Work at Verizon 5G Lab

By Chris Pfaff

The past five years have seen groundbreaking production of theatre and opera that have integrated augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) – or, as the industry term refers to all types of immersive technology, XR – to develop new kinds of live and virtual experiences. The Welsh National Opera, in 2017, combined ‘The Magic Flute’ and ‘Madam Butterfly’ for ‘Magic Butterfly,’ an experience that used Google Daydream VR to demystify opera for audiences, in a new venue. Commonwealth Shakespeare Company produced ‘Hamlet 360: Thy Father’s Spirit’ in the past year, working with Google’s AR/VR Lens team to create five seven-minute acts in VR.

Yet, some of the boldest work in XR for theatre is not surprisingly being produced in New York. An event produced by Chris Pfaff, and sponsored by the VR AR Association New York City Chapter and Verizon’s 5G Lab, on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 featured some of the leading practitioners of XR in the theatre world who discussed their work and and their platform and technology choices, as well as how to shape narratives for interactive audiences in real-time experiences. Demonstrations of their work, as well as a guest appearance from award-winning XR production firm Felix & Paul Studios, were held prior to and after the main event, which was held in Verizon’s 5G Lab at the Alley powered by Verizon.

The entire event can be viewed here

Brandon Powers, producer/choreographer of ‘Frankenstein AI,’ a piece that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2018, and producer/choregrapher of ‘Queerskins,’ discussed how he worked with the Intel Studios volumetric studio to use his choreographic and immersive theater expertise to move ‘visitors’ through the virtual space. ‘Frankenstein AI,’ which expressed our AI inhabiting a human body to communicate with the audience, and ‘Queerskins’ demonstrate ways for theatre producers to create new work with volumetric capture. In ‘Frankenstein AI,’ the human dancer performed choreography, which was created using a new choreographic notation that Brandon invented. The choreography was manipulated by an AI in real-time based on how the audience responded to the AI’s prompted questions, prompting the dancer to alter her performance for a unique live experience. Brandon is also developing a new episode in the VR experience ‘Queerskins,’ which involves an interactive choreographed duet utilizing volumetric capture which will give a unique experience for each user.

Kiira Benzing, from Double Eye Studios, the renowned producer of ‘Loveseat,’ a VR theatre piece that was featured at the 2019 Venice Biennale, in which two lonely, ordinary people are drawn into a reality show competition to win the love of a Perfect Partner (who looks an awful lot like an empty chair). Part-story, part-interaction between virtual and real worlds; the performers intersect realities in this comedy. Performed simultaneously to virtual and real world audiences. Kiira also discussed her work on ‘Loveseat’ and her more recent work on ‘Runnin,’ which was shot at Intel Studios in Los Angeles. ‘Runnin’ is currently available through the Samsung Gear app through Oculus Quest. Her work in designing virtual worlds has led her to ask ‘what is a stage?’ and ‘what is an audience?’ when audience members are represented by virtual beings and avatars.

Maciej Wisniewski, 99 Center Opera founder, and producer and composer of ‘Edelweiss VR, Act 1,’ or EVR1, the first original VR opera experience, discussed and demonstrated his work in creating a music-driven narrative that enables viewers to unlock hidden aspects of the story. Maciej’s work includes blockchain for encrypted messages that will be retrieved by the players of the EVR1 game, to unlock content. The story of EVR1 takes viewers through an interactive VR story in five acts, based on a true World War II experience of his great-aunt escaping a prison in Poland and becoming a Resistance fighter. Maciej’s work involves breathing light and texture into scenes based on music.

David Rodriguez, founder of Zanni, the first Audience Experience Design Studio, demonstrated the firm’s XR tools, Ovees™ and Zanni™ AXD, for both immersive audiences and theatre producers. David’s work with the Metropolitan Opera led him to consider how opera, and theatre, could evolve through VR and AR tools for both audience participation and narrative extensions, as well as how to enable immersive workflows for theatre/opera producers. Ovees is an XR take on stereoscopic opera glasses – and Zanni AXD – a mixed reality design tool that creates space to view stage production elements, reducing design process time and enhancing stage experience planning for design teams. Zanni is a new company, and the event marked the public debut of Zanni.

The panel discussion delved into how traditional theatre producers, directors, lighting designers, choreographers, and actors themselves are moving to expand the medium through immersive technologies. The group discussion yielded the overarching understanding of theatre being gamified and moved into a new genre altogether. The panelists discussed how technologies are rapidly evolving to meet demands for creative decisions. Kiira Benzing discussed how difficult it was to mount ‘Love Seat’ in Venice, with a massive point cloud that could, at any time, crash. The shared experience of theatre, in a live setting, pushes the boundaries of technical production for real-time communal energy.

Looking Glass Reveals the World's Largest and Highest Resolution Holographic Display

The dawn of group-viewable Immersive Display is here with the Looking Glass 8K

Brooklyn, NY - Nov 12 - For enterprises that have been waiting decades for a large-format, group-viewable holographic solution that doesn't require the friction of VR or AR headsets, the Looking Glass 8K Immersive Display has finally arrived. At four times the scale of anything else on the market, the Looking Glass 8K measures in at 32" with holographic depth measured in feet rather than in the inches of everything that's come before. The Looking Glass 8K will be available worldwide, with the first public demonstration at the Digital Content Expo in Japan (Nov 13-15) in Booth D207. Pre-orders are being accepted globally with shipments starting Spring 2020.

This breakthrough system, powered by Looking Glass Factory's proprietary 45-element light field technology, is a true holographic window into another world that can be experienced by groups of up to a dozen people. The Looking Glass 8K delivers an unparalleled 33.2 million pixels with over a billion-count color gamut at 60 Hz, making it not only the largest holographic display in the market today but also the highest fidelity. The Looking Glass 8K operates on optical principles and a software platform that doesn't require any head-tracking or VR or AR headsets, making it ideal for companies that want to collaboratively view or interact with 3D images in the areas of retail, mapping/GIS, medical imaging, and entertainment.

The Looking Glass 8K's hardware and software have been developed by a team of industry-leading optics experts, electrical engineers, and software developers in Brooklyn-based company Looking Glass Factory, the market leaders in holographic light field displays. Having sold thousands of Looking Glass developer kits over the past year, the company created the Looking Glass 8K to meet the needs of enterprises who were looking for a deeply visceral, genuinely three-dimensional collaborative experience.

Industry Testimonials

Greg Castle, an early investor in Oculus and Managing Partner at Anorak Ventures, said about the Looking Glass 8K: "[the] most mind-blowing thing I've seen since I first tried the Oculus prototype."

Medical Imaging:

The Looking Glass 8K is becoming a critical tool for partners in the medical imaging field, like Dr. Yuh Z. Lee, Associate Professor of Radiology at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. "Understanding anatomic structures in three dimensions is critical for multiple aspects of high-quality patient care, including teaching trainees, educating patients, and procedure planning," says Dr. Lee. "The Looking Glass enables us to see and discuss anatomy in three dimensions collaboratively, without the need for cumbersome goggles or glasses." Doctors, patients, researchers, and medical students regularly comb through extremely complex 3D data using a flat computer screen that can't fully represent three-dimensional data sets, leading to critical errors in understanding. The Looking Glass 8K changes that.

"GE Healthcare's customers, both hospitals and the patients they care for, daily ask the question 'what does that x-ray/CT/MRI/ultrasound tell us?'" said GM of Additive Manufacturing at GE Healthcare, R. Scott Rader. "Presenting anatomy and disease pathology in 3D on 2D screens happens every day, but being able to share 3D lightfield imagery with a Looking Glass to a clinical care team, residents/fellows, patients, and other allied health care workers is one exciting potential solution to translating seeing to knowing, fast."

Mapping:

Likewise, for decades topographical datasets have been trapped to the confines of a two-dimensional screen or stereoscopic head-mounted displays for one person. This is all changing now with the Looking Glass 8K. "What could be cooler than a live 3D model of your construction project, displayed on a table in your HQ, showing progress in real time?" asks Chris Anderson, CEO of drone company 3D Robotics. "It's like the magic globe from Wizard of Oz but real, thanks to drones, crane-cams, and [the] Looking Glass." Abhishek Tripathi, Head of 3D Terrain at mapping platform Mapbox was quick to conclude that "3D maps on the Looking Glass [8K] display are immediately more engaging, immersive and collaborative. Quite simply it blew my mind."

Entertainment:

Early entertainment customers of the Looking Glass include Intel® Studios, who are already starting to use Looking Glass displays to showcase high-quality volumetric captures to audiences around the world. Dave Smiddy, Head of Product at Intel® Studios says of the Looking Glass, "Looking Glass makes volumetric video content social and accessible. With the Looking Glass SDK we quickly bring volumetric video and immersive experiences to life." In recent exhibitions, Looking Glasses were used to display Runnin', the world's first cross-platform interactive holographic music video starring Reggie Watts.

Pricing & Availability of the Looking Glass 8K:

Demonstration units of the Looking Glass 8K are being hosted in Brooklyn, Hong Kong, San Francisco, and Tokyo with viewings by appointment only. The first advanced beta run of the Looking Glass 8K displays have sold out, but pre-orders are being accepted now for the next production batch with orders shipping in the order they are received starting Spring 2020. Enterprises interested in pricing for the Looking Glass 8K should contact future@lookingglassfactory.com.

Learn more about the Looking Glass 8K Immersive Display and arrange to see one for yourself at http://look.glass/8k.

 - end - 

About Looking Glass Factory

Looking Glass Factory Inc, with headquarters in Greenpoint, Brooklyn and additional operations in Hong Kong, is the global leader in the field of group-viewable holographic interfaces with the launch of their flagship product line, The Looking Glass. This unique combination of advanced hardware and software is based on the company’s patented light field technology and in 2019 became the most widely-adopted holographic display in history. Today, the company serves the holographic needs of both developers and enterprises and is committed to building the headset-free hologram-powered future we were all promised in science fiction growing up. For more information, visit www.lookingglassfactory.com or contact:

For press inquiries: press@lookingglassfactory.com

For all business development inquiries: future@lookingglassfactory.com

The VR/AR Association Appoints Gordon Meyer as President of the NYC Chapter

Gordon Meyer has been appointed as President of the NYC Chapter. In his role as Chapter President, he will foster growth and collaboration among the burgeoning Immersive Technology scene within New York City. Additionally, he will assist the VR/AR Association to pursue its global mission of fostering connection and education through the use of immersive technologies. 

Meyer, a 20-year industry veteran in the Advertising and Marketing fields, has led initiatives in both Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality for high profile brands including the International Rescue Committee, Nespresso, Audi, Sky UK, Starwood, HP, US Army and Konica Minolta. In 2018, he was named one of the “30 people to watch in Augmented Reality” by Next Reality News, who noted, “Gordon Meyer gradually became one of the loudest and most high profile voices pushing AR forward, far away from Silicon Valley on the East Coast.” Meyer has also been featured as a thought leader in XR on NPR’s All Tech Considered, and in numerous publications such as Forbes, INC Magazine, Chicago Tribune, Skift and Brandchannel.

"My deep passion for VR/AR is no secret and I am excited to drive innovation, learnings, and connections for our members. By all measures, New York is expected to overtake Silicon Valley as the most important global technology hub in the next few years. The VR/AR Association has the infrastructure and membership to ensure the immersive industry drives that growth. It is a great honor to be appointed to Chapter President and play a role in moving the immersive industry forward within New York City and beyond."

Kris Kolo, Global Executive Director of the VR/AR Association added, “Gordon Meyer has been consistently recognized as one of the top thought leaders in this industry by the press and his peers. His expertise in Blockchain and his stewardship of our Blockchain Committee speaks to his drive to keep our members on the cutting edge. The NYC Chapter will help evolve how the many brands, agencies, and companies operating on Madison Avenue and Wall Street understand the potential of immersive technology in their endeavors.”

In addition to Gordon Meyer as Chapter President, NYC leadership includes: 

Kris Kolo, Advisor

Adaora Udoji, Advisor

Chris Pfaff, Advisor

Dex Yee, Biz Dev

For more information please visit thevrara.com/nyc-chapter

###

About the VR/AR Association

The VR/AR Association (VRARA) is an international organization designed to foster  collaboration between innovative companies and people in the virtual reality and augmented reality ecosystem that accelerates growth, fosters research and education, helps develop  industry standards, connects member organizations and promotes the services of member companies.

Contact

Kris Kolo, Global Executive Director, VRARA

kris@thevrara.com 

VRSim Launches New Virtual Reality Tool For Faster, More Effective Commercial Painting

Unveiling SimSpray® 3.0, VRSim releases an improved edition of their innovative tool; bringing safer, and more intuitive training for the coatings industry

Come see the latest in VR and Training at the VR/AR Global Summit Nov 1-2

East Hartford, Conn., August 13, 2019 – VRSim, Inc., an innovator in commercial training, is pleased to announce SimSpray 3.0, the next generation of their renowned virtual reality paint training tool, which uses HTC’s VIVE Pro HMD and VIVE Trackers. SimSpray’s redesign offers a more intuitive and true-to-life user experience by featuring enhanced visuals, trainee feedback, and the ability to simulate larger work environments. The HTC VIVE Pro enhanced optics and visuals provides SimSpray with the most accurate visuals to provide a realistic and immersive experience. Based on years of research, customer feedback, and insight from industry experts, SimSpray delivers a training system that lowers costs and provides faster, safer, and more efficient training.

“SimSpray 3.0 is the next evolution in virtual skills training. Through immersive learning, instant feedback, and performance analytics, students are able to train in a more efficient manner that isn’t possible with real-life training,” said Matthew Wallace, CEO and President of VRSim. ”We’re thrilled to offer this solution to our customers and the industry as the most advanced training simulation we have made to date.”

As the leading training tool for the paint and coating industry, SimSpray uses virtual reality to create engaging and educational simulations. The VR experience improves the learning process with tools that boost training productivity and immediate feedback and analytics that aren’t available in typical training scenarios. SimSpray’s tools and feedback include easy to understand performance reports, live scoring, and kinesthetic cues. This cutting-edge tool provides trainers and trainees with the ability to practice, analyze key metrics, diagnose flaws, and improve their skills in a single training session. SimSpray acts as a force multiplier for training by distilling the training experience into concise, repeatable exercises with aggressive feedback, and intuitive performance insights.

“SimSpray is the most effective tool on the market, so we’re thrilled to implement the newest version, SimSpray 3.0. Our Directors of Training have used SimSpray to recruit and train the next generation of  International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) apprentices since 2009,” says Anton Ruesing, Director of the International Finishing Trades Institute (IFTI).

Mike Komaromi, Director of Training for the Finishing Trades Institute of Southern New England looks forward to using SimSpray 3.0 in his Connecticut facilities. “SimSpray is a valuable tool that lets our trainees start learning on day one. The paint looks and feels real. The new design of the system make SimSpray a more capable and user-friendly tool for us.”

SimSpray 3.0 features:

• The premium HTC VIVE Pro HMD with true-to-life precise tracking and a large training space to support the virtualization of larger parts and training spaces

• Visual updates for paint finishes and defects for more realistic paint application and improved immersion

• Re-designed user-experience with intuitive features and streamlined equipment setup

• Weighted spray gun for added realism and kinesthetic training, featuring the same functional nozzle, trigger, and dials on previous spray gun versions

• More user-control options, including in-sim controls to give trainees better access to project controls and analysis without removing the HMD

• Customizable return-on-investment reports for clear, personalized time and cost savings

VR training provides safe, cost-effective training options for time-intensive, high-risk, or high-cost experiences. SimSpray’s ease-of-use and minimal setup requirements make it easy to capitalize on VRSim’s research, insights, and experience with innovative technology by offering rapid deployment, mobility, and accessibility. SimSpray is the most efficient virtual reality training tool designed for painters and coaters, offering numerous benefits for international education and industry organizations. First released in 2011, VRSim continues to improve SimSpray with additional processes, parts, training content, and software and hardware updates.

For more information about SimSpray products and training capabilities visit: https://www.simspray.net/

About VRSim:

VRSim is an architect of interactive training tools for skilled trades. VRSim reimagines industry tools for skilled trades training, including welding, spray painting, construction, manufacturing, and robotics. VRSim’s products are used in training and education programs for high schools and technical colleges, vocational training programs, workforce development initiatives, and global leaders, including The Boeing Company, American Honda Motor Company, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Caterpillar, Daimler, Saint Gobain, the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT), the U.S. Department of Defense, and the U.S. Navy. For more information, please visit https://vrsim.com/.

VRSim Contact:

Sara Blackstock

VRSim, Inc.

860-893-0080x226

sara.blackstock@vrsim.net

Meet VRSim at the VR/AR Global Summit Nov 1-2!

VR/AR Association New York Chapter Celebrates 3 Years at NYC RLAB

The third anniversary of the VR/AR Association (VRARA) New York Chapter was a positive snapshot on the growth of the immersive industry in the greater New York area in the past few years. The event was hosted on Tuesday evening, May 21st, at RLAB, the massive space that the City of New York opened in late-November, 2018. RLAB hosts several companies, including members of its XR Beta program, and is being built out as a larger facility for immersive innovation, including volumetric capture space.

As VRARA has grown globally, so too has its New York chapter, and this mirrors the broader focus on the VR/AR industry in New York, which embraces enterprise and consumer firms alike.

The event featured demos from VR/AR Beta companies, as well as Mantis Vision (http://mantis-vision.com), and remarks by RLAB’s Alexis Seeley and VRARA New York chapter advisor Chris Pfaff. And, of course, numerous demos of mobile AR experiences were shown by VRARA members as well.

Mantis Vision’s mo-cap installation, and some of its forthcoming collaboration tools, were a major hit at the event. Unseen Media, a narrative AR game developer, demonstrated its soon-to-be-released game, while echoAR, and AR-focused CMS and CDN provider, and SIY (Speak it Yourself, a VR-based language instruction firm, demonstrated their solutions as well.

Join NYC Media Lab for networking events to learn about the Verizon 5G EdTech $100k Challenge. RSVP Today!

Submit your application here

Imagine a hologram teacher, who can beam in to educate on lessons they are experts in. Imagine 5G-enabled VR that can help students with diverse learning needs engage. Imagine high speed capabilities that encourages students to connect to peers worldwide. The Verizon 5G EdTech Challenge is a nationwide open call to find cutting-edge educational technologies that will transform middle school education. 10 Challenge winners will each be awarded a $100K grant, and will partner with Verizon to develop and test their solutions in the 5G environment starting in spring 2019.

NYC Media Lab invites you to join several upcoming information and networking events. There, you'll meet leadership from Verizon, learn about the potential of 5G, and explore how to craft a proposal. 

Join us in NYC:

Thursday, November 8th (6PM-8PM) at Alley Powered by Verizon. RSVP: http://bit.ly/AlleyNYC

Friday, November 9th. Ideation Session at The New School. RSVP: http://bit.ly/5GEdTechIdeation

Join us in Boston: 

Tuesday, November 6th (6:30PM-8:30PM) at Alley Powered by Verizon. RSVP: http://bit.ly/AlleyBoston

Thursday, November 8th (4:30PM-6:00PM) at Harvard Graduate School of Education. RSVP: http://bit.ly/HarvardGSE

Join us in Washington DC:

Wednesday, November 7th (6PM-8PM) at Alley Powered by Verizon. RSVP: http://bit.ly/AlleyDC

Start the application today...

Let us know you're interested in the Challenge. On Verizon 5G EdTech Challenge application page, submit your team, organization or university details. It'll only take a couple minutes: 

https://www.5gedtechchallenge.com/pages/application.html

Recap of NYC VR Expo

VRARA NYC Chapter highlights from the NYC VR Expo included speakers and demos by VRARA Members:

Apprentice.io - Augmented Reality for Pharmaceutical/Biotech Manufacturing and R&D

Vuze.camera - Makers of the Vuze 3D 180 & 360° VR cameras 

Lampix.co -  A is projector-based augmented reality powered by computer vision. AR for the Office. AR for Retail. AR for Restaurants. AR for Developers

Also, presentation of the NYC VR/AR Ecosystem Report, featuring 25 companies (with over 100+ listed!)

Hello from New York 🙌🙌 Recap of Day 1 at the NYC VR Expo with #VRARA members @VuzeCamera @lampix_co @apprentice_io #vr #ar #PhotoPlusExpo #NYVRExpo @PhotoPlusExpo #VirtualReality #cameras #tech @javitscenter #events pic.twitter.com/92F9Ebashn

— VR/AR Association - NYC #NYVRExpo (@thevraraNYC) October 26, 2018

NYC VR/AR Ecosystem Report. 25+ companies featured, 100 listed. Get your Copy here!

To get your copy, enter your email here:

NYC is a metropolitan hub for national & international businesses, institutions, and organizations. This report represents the brilliant minds all over the VR/AR ecosystem, from original content creators & creative distributors to innovative hardware companies to ambitious researchers. See NYC Chapter page here

Forward 1

It’s a thrilling time in the Big Apple for the burgeoning virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) industries. New York City is home to a thriving, frenetic, ever growing and spectacularly talented eco-system. It’s alive in all aspects of market drivers across academia, advertising, banking, finance, communication, medicine, movies and television, and Wall Street. Great vision and enthusiasm is driving the creation of new startups, corporate ventures, academic research, medical applications, and entrepreneurial initiatives taken on by technologists and all manner of domain experts building and creating, providing the next generation of applications driving new business and sometimes just plain having fun, enjoying a number of arcades that have popped up across the city. Listed here you will find a wide variety of VR and AR products and services from consumer to enterprise applications that are best in class! Please do check out what we have to offer, you won’t be disappointed.

— Adaora Udoji, VRARA NYC Chapter Advisor

Table of Contents

• Foreward

• Avatar-Plus

• Beth Stewart Voice Over - Truth or Dare VO

• Brave New World

• Brick Simple

• Chris Pfaff Tech Media

• Confideo Labs

• Hack and Paint

• Halo Labs

• Hello World Communications

• IKONA

• Inception

• Lampix

• Live CGI

• MediaCombo

• Memetic Arts

• Nice Shoes

• NKLS

• Oblix

• OffWorld Laboratories

• Rutgers Prep

• Sketchfab

• SMACAR Solutions Inc.

• SR Socially Relevant Film Festival New York

• TECH+Expo & Forum (produced by The Architect’s Newspaper)

• ThirdEye

• Touchstone Research

• ViuSpace

• VRSim

• Other 100+ Companies

Forward 2

The story of immersive and augmenting, wearable computing is going to be one of the most epic business stories of our time. The biggest companies in the world are at the table. The stakes are nothing less than the evolution of humankind. Change happens very slowly, and then all at once. It's an exciting time to be in this industry because no one really knows how this is going to turn out. A vibrant New York tech scene making its presence felt nationally. Our universities are turning out scores of talented engineers and entrepreneurs, ready to create the businesses of tomorrow. No one can change the world or build something of consequence by themselves. The only way to make something happen is to get out of your hole, get out of your social media bubble, and meet actual people in real life who share your vision of how to implement this new immersive media. The VRARA helps you to do that. You are looking at a very valuable networking tool: these are members who have stood up and said they want you to know what they're doing. If you like it, have a question, or think you can help, reach out to them directly. Make a new friend. Learn something. That's what I do all day, and I've never gotten tired of it.

— Charlie Fink, VRARA NYC Chapter Advisor

Forward 3

Before the money and the magazine covers, every tech scene has the same origin story -- a scrappy group of weirdos huddled together, building something strange and wonderful. The NYC VR/AR scene deviates from this only insofar as we're not squatting in garages; alas, that's Manhattan architecture for you. But to call the scene intimate is an understatement -- hit up a handful of meetups and you'll see the same people, passionately talking about their latest creations. And we're all doing it on shoestring budgets, more or less, although we're finally starting to see some big deals and high profile projects come to fruition. What NYC lacks in Hollywood glamour or Silicon Valley VR cash, it makes up for in heart and attitude. The NYC VR/AR scene is vibrant and alive, a core group of true believers hell-bent on changing the way we see the world. In twenty years, when the first round of documentaries are released, we'll all look back on our outfits and cringe, but think about the magic we made, and smile.

— Cortney Harding, VRARA NYC Chapter Advisor

Forward 4

The New York area represents the largest concentration of Fortune 1000 headquarters in the world, and a diverse body of companies. The sheer magnitude of New York's reach in the business world is often incalculable. This is true for the VR/AR industry as well, as hundreds of New York market firms - from headset manufacturers to production companies to software developers - represent both legacy efforts and recently-unveiled initiatives to change the way that people view the world and receive information. From the pharmaceutical corridor of New Jersey to the media rows of Manhattan to defense contractors in Long Island and platform developers in Connecticut, there are myriad numbers of companies that are redefining virtual and augmented experiences. The VR/AR Association's ecosystem report for New York is a thumbnail sketch of the activity represented in the broader market, but will shed light on the sector's growth in the largest market in the United States.

— Chris Pfaff, VRARA NYC Chapter Advisor

Final Agenda for the Mixed Reality Marketing Summit Nov. 5th in NYC

Use discount code VRARAFlash for 25% discount on your ticket!

See the event website here

NEW YORK, NY – October 17, 2018 – (HISPANICIZE WIRE) – Organizers of the world’s first Mixed Reality Marketing Summit announced the full and final agenda of the Mixed Reality Marketing Summit slated for National Geographic Encounter in Times Square New York City, Nov. 5th. (Register at bit.ly/mixedrealitymarketing). The summit is a co-production of Mixed Reality Ventures and the VR/AR Association New York City Chapter.

Below is the full and final agenda, session descriptions and speakers of the Mixed Reality Marketing Summit:

From Science Fiction to Reality: How Hollywood is ushering the future for entertainment & why brands need to take notes

Speaker: Brett Leonard, Hollywood director, “Lawnmower Man”

Brett Leonard has been at the forefront of the VR revolution bringing us Hollywood blockbusters like Lawnmower Man and Virtuosity. He will tell us why science fiction is now a reality and where content and marketing are heading.

Why Mixed Reality is Now Truly Ready for Primetime

Speaker: Raj Puran, Director of Client VR Business Development & Strategic Partnerships, Intel

After three decades of awkward equipment and many experiments, mixed reality is finally here and ready for prime time with streamlined devices and immersive experiences that will transform the way we shop, enjoy sports, experience films, communicate, create content, travel, exercise, visit doctors, date, and much, much more. The implications of this next tech revolution are staggering for marketers.

The Power of Play & The Rise of Camera Marketing

Speaker: Carolina Arguelles, Head of AR Monetization Product Strategy for Snap

While the past 10 years have been about Social Media Marketing, the next 10 will introduce a new form of marketing — Camera Marketing. People everywhere are exploring the world through their camera and want to create content on behalf of brands because it’s fun, useful, or relevant. At Snapchat we believe play is powerful and have built an ecosystem of products around the camera, including Lenses an AR format. Since the launch of Lenses, Snapchat has aired more than 100,000 AR experiences resulting in more than 250,000 years of playtime. What we’ve learned is that a mobile strategy without the camera is not a mobile strategy.

Creating Content in the New Era of Mixed Reality Marketing

Speakers: Chris Bobotis, Director Immersive, Adobe; Gabriele Corcos, celebrity Chef

Moderator: Amy LaMeyer, ARVR Academy

Just when brands thought they had figured out story telling for the digital age comes mixed reality, and yep, story telling with mixed reality is vastly different, and, when done right, much more engaging and effective. In this session, we’ll discuss how brands need to approach story telling with mixed reality.

Start with Strategy: Planning Your Brand’s Road Map for Mixed Reality Marketing

Speaker: John Buzzell, President of You Are Here Labs

Mixed Reality is a fairly new medium for marketers. How should your brand approach this space? We’ll discuss the key considerations needed for planning your brand’s future in mixed reality, from identifying key opportunities to developing a roadmap.

VR’s Killer App: It’s a Platform, Not a Product

Speaker: Matthew Cooney, VR AR Technologist

While some may consider VR a mature technology, a significant dearth of quality content is preventing users from spending a significant time (and budget) on VR experiences. But is an over-emphasis on creating the next big campaign the problem? Understanding what will accelerate mass adoption of VR means evolving your understanding of how it will be used. In this talk, we’ll look at how organizations can shift their perspectives on VR to maximize engagement, minimize costs, and ultimately, generate profit.

Q&A with Dorothy Dowling, CMO of Best Western

Speaker: Dorothy Dowling, CMO, Best Western Hotels

Moderator: Kerry Flynn, Digiday

Best Western’s Dorothy Dowling is one of the nation’s most innovative and most respected Fortune 100 CMOs in the nation. In this fireside chat, Dorothy will unpack why Best Western has become a brand pioneer in the AR/VR space and what they’ve learned about creating customer journeys that are effective and deliver ROI.

The Evolution of eCommerce with Immersive Tech

Speaker: Arun Batra, General Manager of Digital Operations, Wayfair

Immersive Commerce is about to get very real. In this exciting session, we’ll take an in-depth look at the way shopping is evolving in the MR space.

Thinking Outside The Headset: The Next Generation of Mixed Reality Marketing

Speakers: Alan Smithson, CEO of Metavrse; Nathan PettyJohn, Founder of the VR/AR Association and CMO, Quantum Capture; Rene Amador, Founder, ARWALL

Moderator: Sam Wolfe, Founder of Pitch FWD

Even though headsets and other versions of lenses are the dominant ways most of us think about mixed reality marketing, storytelling is evolving way beyond headsets to include handsets and other devices. In this session, we’ll learn how app and software developers are creating innovative ways for consumers to experience MR beyond the headsets.

Looking at AR From a Social Lens

Speaker: Chris Barbour, AR Camera & Content Creation Partnerships Lead, Facebook

Imagine an AR world on top of our current world – where every time you raise your phone you see AR experiences all around you. Now, imagine the possibilities that come as a creator. You have the ability to influence and contribute to an entirely new medium by connecting your customers with the wonder and excitement of a new digital world. The potential is there – from digital product demos to virtual pop-up shops customers are ready to interact with your brand in revolutionary ways. The perception that creating AR experiences can be onerous is misleading. In reality, it has never been easier to get started.

Join Chris Barbour, AR Camera & Content Creation Partnerships Lead at Facebook, as he demonstrates how you can get started in AR. Chris will walk attendees through powerful examples of how (with the help of machine learning) marketers, creatives, and anyone with a laptop can create engaging and memorable AR experiences on behalf of their companies, brands and agencies. Whether you’re an AR developer looking for inspiration or a hobbyist trying to wrap your mind around the possibilities of AR you will leave this session excited to hit the ground running, creating powerful experiences in a new digital world.

Agency Roundtable

Speakers: Resh Sidhu, Creative Director, AKQA; Lucas Kappaz, Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer, VR Americas; Johanna Salazar-Cumming, Co-Founder & Chief Media Disrupter, Two Goats; Miguel Sanchez, Founder and Creative Director, Mass Ideation

Moderator: Lisa Buyer, Founder, The Buyer Group

Agency leaders talk about the opportunities, challenges and ideas that are top of mind as they help companies embrace mixed reality.

How Pokemon Go! and Disney Started the Next Revolution

Speakers: John Zuur Platten – former creative director at Niantic – Pokemon Go!; Charlie Fink, VR AR Consultant, Author and Forbes Columnist

Moderator: Stewart Rogers

Even though VR has been with us for more than three decades, it wasn’t until Pokemon Go! that the marketing industry finally began to see the possibilities of VR/AR. The creative lead of Niantic joined by a former Disney executive talk on stage in a refreshing and entertaining look back at the lessons they’ve learned building pop culture phenomenas like Pokemon Go! and The Lion King. They will also share what they believe brands can do today to create the next big brand idea with AR/VR.

The Next Wave of Experiential Marketing

Speakers: Joanna Popper, Global Head of Virtual Reality for Location Based Entertainment at HP; Lee Keebler, VR AR Consultant; Spandana Govindgari, Cofounder at Hype AR; Cortney Harding, Founder, Friends With Holograms

Moderator: Keisha Howard, founder, Sugar Gamers

Experiential marketing is getting greatly enhanced by immersive technology. It’s changing location based entertainment, as well as how we market our brands at events and how consumers engage with companies. This panel will explore the next wave of experiential marketing.

Closing Keynote: Future Forward: Where do we go from here?

Speaker: Cathy Hackl, MRV Partner

Cathy Hackl, one of the top women in the AR/MR/VR industry talks about what’s next for marketers and creative professionals.

Other Mixed Reality Marketing Summit sponsors include Intel, Hype, ARWall, Media Village, VR Voice, PRODU, and Exma.

This event is for entrepreneurs, CMOs, agency managers/owners, educators and any professional in the marketing, digital, communications, advertising and public relations industries, who are interested in learning from some of the world’s leading VR/AR marketing leaders and want to future-proof their careers for the coming revolution in mixed, augmented and virtual reality marketing.

Mixed Reality Marketing Summit in NYC Nov 5th

Use discount code VRARAFlash for 25% discount on your ticket!

See the event website here

Mixed Reality Marketing Summit, the world’s first AR, VR, MR conference completely focused on educating marketers, entrepreneurs and business owners on how to successfully enter the augmented reality and virtual reality space, will take place in New York City Nov. 5th. The groundbreaking, one-day summit will equip marketers on how to successfully enter the immersive space or continue experimenting with AR, VR or MR in their marketing mix.  

This event is for entrepreneurs, CMOs, agency managers/owners, educators and any professional in the marketing, digital, communications, advertising and public relations industries, who are interested in learning from some the world’s leading VR AR marketing leaders and want to future-proof their careers for the coming revolution in mixed, augmented and virtual reality marketing.

This event is co-presented and co-produced with the VR/AR Association NYC Chapter. 

Hear from some of the top voices in VR and AR marketing including the following brands:

• Snapchat

• Best Western

• HP

• Adobe

• Facebook

• Wayfair

• VentureBeat

• World Surf League

• Intel

• AKQA

• Digiday and more 

Get your Company Featured in our VR AR Ecosystem Reports

VRARA's 50+ Chapters are producing industry reports on the regional VR/AR ecosystems to promote companies and organizations involved with immersive technologies and media from NYC to Sydney, across the world.  The reports will be promoted by VRARA and our partners reaching potentially a 1M audience. 

Would you be interested to have your company featured in these report or sponsor the report? If yes, then let us know at info@thevrara.com 

Each report will specifically highlight the following:

• Size of the local ecosystem market

• Number of relevant companies in the ecosystem

• List of companies and company info (size: number of employees, revenue; vertical, customers)

• Reasons why company is based in the local ecosystem

• Needs and hopes from and for the ecosystem

If you have any questions or are interested in being featured or sponsor, please reply to this email or email info@thevrara.com