Pico chosen as first VR headset provider to support new Audi-backed holoride SDK

holoride announced the launch of its Elastic Software Development Kit (SDK) on the newly launched holoride Creator Space. Created to run on the Unity game engine, the Elastic SDK enables developers to access a powerful toolset to create immersive, in-car game experiences with ease.

The Elastic SDK is a creative reinterpretation of real-world maps and geographic information that is projected into the Unity Scene, which is where creators work with content assets within the Unity platform. Creating content does not require any additional coding or developing skills for an initial build and, therefore, lowers the barrier for content creators to get started right away.

Pico Interactive is the first virtual reality headset provider to support the holoride experience through the Creator Space. Developers who use Pico’s VR headsets will be able to take their creations beyond their computers and experience them in combination with holoride’s Development Kit.

holoride Launches Elastic Software Development Kit on Unity’s Real-Time 3D Platform for Developers to Create In-Vehicle XR Content

holoride, the Audi-backed company advancing the future of in-vehicle entertainment, today released its Elastic Software Development Kit (SDK) on the newly launched holoride Creator Space. Created to run on the Unity (NYSE: U) game engine, the world’s leading platform for creating and operating real-time 3D (RT3D) content, the Elastic SDK enables developers to access a powerful toolset to create immersive, in-car game experiences with ease.

holoride is building the world’s first immersive in-vehicle media platform by enabling processing motion and location-based data in real-time using the Unity game engine. holoride’s content adjusts to the motion of the vehicle and route and perfectly syncs with the passenger’s journey. Through this, holoride creates a new media category made for moving vehicles called Elastic Content, which allows for a novel approach in content creation.

“The release of our Elastic SDK marks an important milestone for holoride in preparation for our market launch in 2022,” says Nils Wollny, CEO & co-founder of holoride. “We’re opening a world full of possibilities for content creators to start building contextual, immersive experiences for passengers. By eliminating tech and business complexity, we encourage content creators to unleash their full creative potential and embark on this ride to build great content.”

The Elastic SDK is at the core of this creative development process and the powerful software that drives the holoride experience. It is a creative reinterpretation of real-world maps and geographic information that is projected into the Unity Scene, which is where creators work with content assets within the Unity platform. Creating content does not require any additional coding or developing skills for an initial build and, therefore, lowers the barrier for content creators to get started right away. By adding prefabricated assets like renderers, animations, rigid bodies and audio, content creators can easily populate the worlds they create.

“From next-generation infotainment systems to augmented and virtual reality-powered experiences, Unity is changing how in-vehicle content is created and consumed,” says Timoni West, vice president, augmented & virtual reality at Unity. “holoride is revolutionizing the way that we can interact with moving objects, both in the digital and physical world and is representative of how Unity’s platform is the underlying SDK for the metaverse.”

As people start to make better use of their travel time, in-vehicle Elastic Content becomes an attractive option for passengers – whether for entertainment value or to reduce motion-sickness. Giving creators access to more experiential reality (XR) and VR technology opens up more avenues for content creation as vehicles become the next big thing in platform content.

To further the content creation process, holoride has built the Creator Space. The Creator Space includes everything users need for their development journey, including the Elastic SDK, documentations and tutorials curated by holoride and continuously enriched by the developer community. Beyond these tools, it is a platform for developers, artists and enthusiasts alike to collaborate in creating richer content.

To encourage content creators to get started with the Elastic SDK, holoride has built the Development Kit, a prototype that provides all essential data so creators can conduct real-world tests in a car. The Development Kit will allow content creators to demo the content they have built using the Elastic SDK and provide them with valuable insights aside from simulating it in the game engine.

With support from Audi and Unity, holoride will offer developers to experience Elastic Content first-hand with original content created by Pittsburgh-based AAA studio Schell Games in a roadshow from Los Angeles to San Francisco. With holoride experts onsite, developers will have the chance to discuss the Elastic SDK and its wide range of capabilities.

Pico Interactive will be the first virtual reality headset provider to support the holoride experience through the Creator Space. Developers who use Pico’s VR headsets will be able to take their creations beyond their computers and experience them in combination with holoride’s Development Kit.

Any developer or gaming studio is eligible to apply for one of the limited development kits. To apply, visit holoride’s Creator Space at http://developer.holoride.com/

About holoride
German startup holoride creates an entirely new media category for passengers by connecting Extended Reality (XR) content with data points from the vehicle in real time. These data points include physical feedback, like acceleration and steering, traffic data, as well as travel route and time. holoride technology provides a new type of immersion into any kind of VR content, creating a breathtaking, immersive experience, and significantly reducing motion sickness. The tech startup was founded at the end of 2018 in Munich, Germany by Nils Wollny, Marcus Kuehne, Daniel Profendiner, and Audi, who holds a minority stake in the startup. It was hailed “Best of CES” four times (Las Vegas, January 2019), recognized as one of the 100 Best Inventions of 2019 by TIME Magazine and is part of the global innovation platform “STARTUP AUTOBAHN powered by Plug and Play.” In 2021, holoride went on to win the prestigious SXSW Pitch and was also named Best in Show.

For more information, please visit http://www.holoride.com/

About Unity
Unity (NYSE: U) is the world’s leading platform for creating and operating real-time 3D (RT3D) content. Creators, ranging from game developers to artists, architects, automotive designers, filmmakers, and others, use Unity to make their imaginations come to life. Unity’s platform provides a comprehensive set of software solutions to create, run and monetize interactive, real-time 2D and 3D content for mobile phones, tablets, PCs, consoles, and augmented and virtual reality devices. The company’s 1,800+ person research and development team keeps Unity at the forefront of development by working alongside partners to ensure optimized support for the latest releases and platforms. Apps developed by Unity creators have been downloaded more than five billion times per month in 2020.

For more information, please visit http://www.unity.com.

About Pico Interactive
Pico Interactive focuses on innovative VR and AR solutions which enable businesses to create and experience the best in VR and Interactive Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI). With operations in the United States, Europe, China and Japan, Pico Interactive focuses on creating amazing VR platforms for any application and is built around the principle of “user first design.”

To learn more, visit http://www.pico-interactive.com.

Pico Chosen as BMW’s Hardware-of-Choice for New VR Experience

Pico Interactive’s headsets have been chosen by BMW in conjunction with We are Jerry (a sports consulting agency) and AR/VR experts GOVAR, for a new VR workshop & live experience for BMW i Motorsport’s Formula E engagement.

The virtual experience runs on ENGAGE, which incorporates all CAD and 360° data, videos, live streams and presentations from BMW i Motorsport in addition to content from sponsors and partners.

With COVID restrictions on live events, We are Jerry and GOVAR created the “BMW i Virtual Garage Experience” for BMW i Motorsport, which provides more options than in-person events. For example, CAD and 360° data of the BMW E race cars, videos, live streams, presentations and other content can be integrated into the experience. Up to 1,000 guests can move around the virtual live experience at the same time if required.

With Pico's VR headsets, select customers, sponsors and partners of BMW i Motorsport will get access to the world's first fully immersive Formula E experience

The virtual workshop & live experience platform developed by We are Jerry and GOVAR opens up new ways and opportunities for us at BMW i Motorsport to work with sponsors, partners and customers”— Lutz-Philipp Kugler, Brand Cooperations BMW Group,

BARCELONA, SPAIN, July 1, 2021 -- Pico Interactive, one of the world's leading developers of innovative VR (virtual reality) solutions for B2B use, will showcase for the first time at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona a groundbreaking virtual reality (VR) workshop & live experience developed by Munich-based sports consulting agency We are Jerry and AR/VR experts GOVAR for BMW i Motorsport's Formula E engagement. The virtual Experience works on the ENGAGE VR platform, developed by VR Education, which makes it possible to incorporate not only all CAD and 360° data, videos, live streams, and presentations from BMW i Motorsport, but also content from sponsors and partners. In order to overcome COVID restrictions on live events, such as VIP hospitality events, We are Jerry and GOVAR created a virtual experience platform - the "BMW i Virtual Garage Experience" - for BMW i Motorsport, which offers even more possibilities than the live onsite experience.

Exceptional motorsport experience
The central question was: "How do we compensate for the COVID-related limitations for the partners and guests of BMW i Motorsport and, at the same time, create completely new target group-compliant customer experiences in the digital world, all as efficiently and synergistically as possible?" explains Karsten Streng, Founder and Managing Partner of We are Jerry.

It quickly became clear to all those responsible: The high standards and requirements of BMW i Motosport could only be implemented with extremely powerful VR headsets. The guests should be presented with a seamless immersive experience that lives up to the premium standards of the BMW brand as an innovation leader. The choice quickly fell on standalone VR headsets from Pico Interactive: "Pico has by far the most powerful VR glasses, which also offer 6 degrees of freedom (6DoF) for spatial movement in the experience," says Stefan Göppel, Managing Director of GOVAR. "Spatial distance does not mean sacrificing social interaction. The virtual workshop & live experience for BMW i Motorsport is therefore an encounter, thanks to the immersion it creates the feeling of a live meeting.”

From the Garage Tour to The Roof Top Bar: Talk&Meet with the drivers
The newly created VR event platform offers significantly more options than "just" virtually mapping the possibilities of the previous hospitality events as part of Formula E. For example, CAD and 360° data of the BMW E race cars, videos, live streams, presentations and other content can be integrated into the Experience, which can be accessed individually by guests. In addition, BMW i Motorsport has the option to provide sponsors and partners of the Formula E team such as Julius Baer, Einhell, Fortinet and others with their own virtual experience areas, which they can use for their own customer loyalty measures. Up to 70 guests can move around the virtual live experience at the same time or if required, even up to 1,000 guests.

"The virtual workshop & live experience platform developed by We are Jerry and GOVAR opens up new ways and opportunities for us at BMW i Motorsport to work with sponsors, partners and customers," says Lutz-Philipp Kugler, Brand Cooperations BMW Group, summarizing the unique project. "Instead of setting up hospitality events over and over again for each Formula E race, we only had to develop the virtual platform once and can now flexibly change and adapt it. Our sponsors and partners have responded very positively to this new form of customer engagement and interaction - not only as an alternative during the Corona pandemic, but they welcome being able to create their own virtual experience spaces for their own content and experiences. This experience clearly demonstrates the future potential of virtual events."

The first BMW i Virtual Garage Experience will take place on July 1, 2021. Selected marketing decision-makers from BMW i Motorsport partners around the world will receive a special BMW i Formula E Experience box containing the Pico headsets as well as exclusive team merchandise. Using the Pico VR headset, guests will be able to enjoy the pre-installed virtual experience and visit unique locations.

During the garage tour, a BMW engineer waits for the guests and introduces the technical concept of the electric racer. Guests can look through the BMW Formula E racing car as if they were using an X-ray machine and view all the technical details at their leisure. Guests will get first-hand insights from the two Team BMW i Andretti Motorsport drivers Maximilian Günther and Jake Dennis, who will be on hand to answer questions. Those who aren't afraid of fast-paced action can climb into the BMW i8 Safety Car as a co-driver and take a lap of the Monaco Grand Prix circuit in 360°. In addition, various content offers await the guests, which they can consume at their leisure. Formula E Hospitality can then be rounded off perfectly with a virtual drink in the Roof Top Bar. Here, guests have the opportunity to communicate with the other guests while also switching to a private mode if others are not to take part in the conversation. Another advantage of the ENGAGE platform used is that the BMW Formula E experience can also be experienced in 2D desktop/laptop mode.

In addition to the tour through the garage of the BMW i Andretti Motorsport team, guests receive an X-ray view of the inner workings of the BMW Formula E race car, receive background information from BMW engineers about the drivetrain, for example, and can experience the cockpit of the bolide to get the race car drivers’ perspective. They can also take a virtual 360° lap of the racetrack as a co-driver in the BMW i8 Safety Car and then meet other guests in the Roof Top Bar for an informal exchange of ideas.Guests at the BMW i Virtual Garage Experience will receive a high-quality hospitality box in advance of each event, which will include exclusive team merchandise as well as standalone VR headsets from Pico Interactive: Simply put on the headset and dive in, the Formula E Experience is pre-installed.

Samet Simsek
Havana Orange GmbH
+4989921315188 ext.
pico@havanaorange.de
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Pico Announces Next Gen Enterprise 6DoF Headsets: Neo 3 Pro and Neo 3 Pro Eye

Today, Pico Interactive announces the launch of its latest headsets in its Neo line – the Neo 3 Pro and Neo 3 Pro Eye, which are built for businesses and will be available in the West, including North America and Europe. These headsets follow the launch of the Neo 3 – a consumer-only headset exclusively available in China.

Both 6DoF models were built for the enterprise and are powered by the Snapdragon XR2 Platform. The headsets have a single 5.5” display with 3664*1920 resolution, a PPI of 773 and up to 90Hz refresh rate. With safety of utmost importance, the headsets also have a replaceable PU sterilizable face cushion that’s hygienic and washable.

Pico is once again partnering with Tobii, the world leader in eye tracking, to make the Neo 3 Pro Eye headset a leader in the enterprise virtual reality space. The Neo 3 Pro Eye, with built in Tobii Eye Tracking, will continue to help enterprises gain a deeper understanding of customers, enhance training efficiency, improve productivity and accelerate innovation in many fields such as healthcare and wellness.

The release can be found below.

Pico Interactive Announces Next Gen Enterprise 6DoF Headsets: Neo 3 Pro and Neo 3 Pro Eye

The Neo 3 family of headsets, powered by the Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ XR2 Platform, include 6DoF motion controllers and four cameras, improving tracking and the guardian system

SAN FRANCISCO – May 10, 2021 – Pico Interactive, a global tech company that develops innovative virtual reality (VR) and enterprise solutions, today announces the launch of its latest headsets in its Neo line – the Neo 3 Pro and Neo 3 Pro Eye, which are built for businesses and will be available in the West, including North America and Europe. These headsets follow the launch of the Neo 3 – a consumer-only headset exclusively available in China.

“Business needs are constantly evolving due to the changing landscape all industries are finding themselves in due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Henry Zhou, CEO of Pico Interactive. “For the Neo 3 line, we implemented the latest technologies to meet the ever-changing demands of the enterprise. For instance, as hybrid and remote work continues, more companies are seeking remote collaboration solutions, like Pico Interactive’s VR headsets with tools and applications available through our software partners, to allow employees to increase productivity and sales to boost revenue. From training firefighters to decreasing the impact of social isolation on seniors to measuring brain health, Pico’s headsets are now being used in a wide range of industries.

Both 6DoF models were built for the enterprise and are powered by the Snapdragon XR2 Platform. The headsets have a single 5.5” display with 3664*1920 resolution, a PPI of 773 and up to 90Hz refresh rate. With safety of utmost importance, the headsets also have a replaceable PU sterilizable face cushion that’s hygienic and washable.

The controllers have been updated from the Neo 2 models as well, transitioning to two 6DoF optical controllers for improved tracking. With the Neo 3 headsets having four cameras instead of two, the guardian system has also been improved from the last generation. The guardian system now offers a more robust, flexible, and open user tracking system, which allows for a larger range of commercial use-cases without requiring additional devices or setup costs – all while removing hurdles to effective implementation.

The Neo 3 Pro and Neo 3 Pro Eye keep the same counterbalanced design as their predecessor – having a reasonably weighted front HMD with the battery pack located in the rear. This provides a comfortable experience that’s compatible with adults and kids.

Pico is once again partnering with Tobii, the world leader in eye tracking, to make the Neo 3 Pro Eye headset a leader in the enterprise virtual reality space. The Neo 3 Pro Eye, with built in Tobii Eye Tracking, will continue to help enterprises gain a deeper understanding of customers, enhance training efficiency, improve productivity and accelerate innovation in many fields such as healthcare and wellness.

The Pico Neo 3 Pro and Neo 3 Pro Eye will also support NVIDIA’s Direct Mode as they are DisplayPort (DP) supported and equipped with DP connectors and cables, which provide native 4K@90Hz high bandwidth wired connection for Pico VR Streaming. When Pico HMD is connected to a PC via a DP cable, the Pico VR streaming assistant can work in Direct Mode, which is a high-performance, low-latency way to render PC VR content to Pico HMD display.

The entire Neo 3 family of headsets support NVIDIA CloudXR™, delivering VR wirelessly across 5G and WiFi networks. With NVIDIA CloudXR™, enterprises can integrate VR into their workflows to drive design reviews, virtual production, location-based entertainment and more.

With Pico’s focus on the enterprise, these headsets are sold directly to companies via a dedicated sales team spread across the globe. The Neo 3 Pro is available for pre-order at $699 USD and the Neo 3 Pro Eye at $899 USD. They will be available in Q3 2021. For more information on the headsets, visit https://www.pico-interactive.com/.

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Qualcomm and Snapdragon are trademarks or registered trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated. Qualcomm Snapdragon is a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.

About Pico Interactive

Pico Interactive focuses on innovative VR and AR solutions that enable businesses to create and experience the best in VR and Interactive Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI). With operations in the United States, Europe, China and Japan, Pico Interactive focuses on creating amazing VR platforms for any application and is built around the principle of “user-first design.” To learn more, visit www.pico-interactive.com.

Media Contact

Elsa Anschuetz

Uproar PR for Pico Interactive

eanschuetz@uproarpr.com

321-236-0102 x233

New Company Uses VR with Pico’s Advanced Eye-Tracking Hardware to Analyze Brain Health

REACT Neuro, a VR company that uses AI and digital exams with the aim of measuring brain health, today announces that it has chosen Pico Interactive’s Neo 2 Eye virtual reality headset, which is equipped with Tobii Eye Tracking, as its hardware-of-choice to help analyze brain health by using its advanced eye-tracking capabilities. This technology could help patients who suffer from severe cognitive decline, such as Alzheimer’s disease, or brain damage from concussions.

REACT Neuro provides a baseline assessment of brain health using biomarkers and neurological circuits. The assessment from REACT Neuro’s custom VR headsets – powered by Pico Interactive – is then put through REACT Neuro’s AI software to turn into useful insights. The company hopes to change attitudes toward brain health to make it as accessible and normal as heart health.

This technology is already being tested in different fields, from senior living to physical therapy.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Pico Interactive, a global tech company that develops innovative virtual reality (VR) and enterprise solutions, is the hardware-of-choice for REACT Neuro, a VR company that uses AI and digital exams with the aim of measuring brain health. Pico’s Neo 2 Eye headset, which is equipped with Tobii Eye Tracking, helps REACT Neuro analyze brain health by using its advanced eye-tracking capabilities.

“Pico enables businesses to make innovative impacts with cutting-edge immersive technology. REACT Neuro’s use of our Neo 2 Eye headset will help to transform the healthcare industry for the better by accurately measuring brain health in a non-subjective manner wirelessly,” said Will Winston, US Sales and Partnerships Director at Pico Interactive. “There are millions battling neurological injury and disease – whether it’s senior living community residents suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease or athletes recovering from concussions. REACT Neuro is working to improve the way we treat brain injuries.”

This technology is already being tested in different fields, from senior living to physical therapy. Asbury Methodist Village, a senior living community in Gaithersburg, Maryland, began using REACT Neuro in January 2021.

“At Asbury Methodist Village, we’ve begun brain health testing on our residents with the goal of creating personalized treatment plans, from physical exercise to cognitive training and providing real world feedback to REACT Neuro,” said Sue Paul, Director of Wellness at Asbury Communities. “We are setting up standing times for residents to come in for testing with a goal of 75 residents a month. We’re excited to use this technology to make our residents more informed, self-aware, and in control of their own brain health.”

The Neo 2 Eye leverages dynamic foveated rendering, powered by Tobii Spotlight Technology™, to enhance the headset and create an optimal user experience in VR based on where a user is looking. Building on the Neo 2 Eye, REACT Neuro uses Tobii Ocumen, a premium solution for advanced applications, to develop new innovative features for their brain health platform.

“REACT Neuro provides a baseline assessment of brain health using biomarkers and neurological circuits. The assessment from our custom VR headsets – powered by Pico Interactive – is then put through our AI software to turn into useful insights,” said Jillian Paine, Chief Operating Officer at REACT Neuro. “We hope to change attitudes toward brain health to make it as accessible and normal as heart health.”

For more information on Pico Interactive, visit www.pico-interactive.com. For more information on REACT Neuro, visit www.reactneuro.com.

About Pico Interactive
Pico Interactive focuses on innovative VR and AR solutions that enable businesses to create and experience the best in VR and Interactive Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI). With operations in the United States, Europe, China and Japan, Pico Interactive focuses on creating amazing VR platforms for any application and is built around the principle of “user-first design.” To learn more, visit www.pico-interactive.com.

About REACT Neuro
REACT Neuro is a team of neuroscientists, engineers and entrepreneurs who have come together with the vision of redefining brain health. The team is building on decades of breakthrough research from leading labs around the world and making its digital virtual reality platform accessible to consumers everywhere. To learn more, visit www.reactneuro.com.

Media Contact
Elsa Anschuetz
Uproar PR for Pico Interactive
eanschuetz@uproarpr.com
321.236.0102 x233

Pico Neo 3 Launches: New Consumer Headset in Asia

Pico Interactive announces its latest VR headset for consumers in Asia – the Neo 3. The flagship 6DoF consumer headset includes the Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ Platform, WiFi 6 and optical controllers to deliver a powerful user experience. Below the PR outlines the specs and including a quote from Pico CEO Henry Zhou.

Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon Platform, the new 6DoF consumer headset has spatial location-based on SLAM and controller tracking based on computer vision

SAN FRANCISCO – April 13, 2021 – Pico Interactive, a global tech company that develops innovative virtual reality (VR) and enterprise solutions, announces its latest VR headset for consumers in Asia – the Neo 3. The flagship 6DoF consumer headset includes the Snapdragon Platform, WiFi 6 and optical controllers to deliver a powerful user experience. More details on the enterprise version of the Neo 3 – the primary device for all markets outside of Asia that will be available in late Summer 2021 – will come soon.

“These innovative product developments follow our B and B+ funding rounds earlier this year. From our new optical controller-tracking solution to complex environment positioning, the Neo 3 is building off of the Neo 2 to offer the latest technology to give users an amazing, immersive experience,” said Henry Zhou, CEO of Pico Interactive. “Between the Pico Neo 3 headset’s state-of-the-art-technology and Pico’s new publishing division – Pico Studios – developers have the tools to get even more creative with the apps and games they create.”

In addition to being counterbalanced for comfort, the consumer headset adds three physical IPD adjustments to offer a better visual comfort. With the COVID-19 pandemic bringing sanitization to the forefront of everyone’s minds, the headset is also made with all-PU material, allowing for easy and regular cleaning.

Through the use of four wide-angle cameras, the Neo 3 has true millimeter-level positioning and tracking. 3D maps of an environment can be reconstructed in real-time, and stable tracking can be achieved even in a low-texture environment and bright or dark settings. In addition, the Neo 3 has an updated curved screen for sleeker form factor as well as 90hz experiences. Pico’s new 6DoF controller also uses 32 optical tracking sensors – which are more suitable for gaming.

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Qualcomm and Snapdragon are trademarks or registered trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated. Qualcomm Snapdragon is a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.

About Pico Interactive
Pico Interactive focuses on innovative VR and AR solutions that enable businesses to create and experience the best in VR and Interactive Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI). With operations in the United States, Europe, China and Japan, Pico Interactive focuses on creating amazing VR platforms for any application and is built around the principle of “user-first design.” To learn more, visit www.pico-interactive.com.

About Pico Studios

Pico Studios, a division of Pico Interactive, partners with global developers to bring their games and apps to new audiences in Asia. The team helps developers increase revenue by getting their content in front of an emerging audience of consumers that are eager to try the best games and apps on the Pico Platform. Pico Studios provides publishing and go-to-market services to ensure developers’ apps get seen and played. Pico Studios publishes VR experiences to the Pico Store on both 6DoF headsets, like the Neo 2 and Neo 2 Lite, and 3DoF headsets, like the G2 4K. To learn more, visit www.picostudios.com.

Media Contact

Elsa Anschuetz

Uproar PR for Pico Interactive

321-236-0102 x 233

eanschuetz@uproarpr.com

Pico Interactive Supports Consumer VR Development for Asian Market with Pico Studios Division

Today Pico announces that its publishing division – Pico Studios – is partnering with top global developers to bring its 6DoF VR apps and games to consumers in Asia. Pico’s closure of its recent $67.23 M B and B+ funding rounds helps Pico Studios achieve its mission of bringing quality VR games from global developers to the Asian market.

With the rise of 6DoF experiences, Pico Studios now allows developers to release their content onto the Neo 2, Neo 2 Lite and future 6DoF headsets – like the Neo 3. Currently, more than 400 apps have been launched on the Pico Store already. 6DoF games that consumers can download from the Pico Store include SUPERHOT VR, Angry Birds VR: Isle of Pigs, OhShape, Sairento VR: Untethered, Death Horizon: Reloaded, and Racket: Nx.

Developers encouraged to submit apps for Pico’s 6DoF headsets for consumers to use in Asia

SAN FRANCISCO – March 31, 2021 – Pico Interactive, a global tech company that develops innovative virtual reality (VR) and enterprise solutions, announces that its publishing division – Pico Studios – is partnering with top global developers to bring its 6DoF VR apps and games to consumers in Asia. While Pico Interactive focuses on enterprise solutions for businesses in the West, the publishing arm gives consumers in Asia a way to purchase games for Pico’s 6DoF VR headsets.

Pico’s closure of its recent $67.23 M B and B+ funding rounds helps Pico Studios achieve its mission of bringing quality VR games from global developers to the Asian market. It also allows game and app developers to introduce their products to a brand-new audience – enabling them to earn more revenue.

Pico Studios has launched more than 400 apps on the Pico Store already. With the rise of 6DoF experiences, Pico Studios now allows developers to release their content onto the Neo 2, Neo 2 Lite and future 6DoF headsets – like the Neo 3. Currently, the 6DoF games that consumers can download from the Pico Store include SUPERHOT VR, Angry Birds VR: Isle of Pigs, OhShape, Sairento VR: Untethered, Death Horizon: Reloaded, and Racket: Nx.

“With our Pico Studios division and B and B+ funding rounds, we’re expanding our consumer offerings in Asia and supporting developers by helping with app and game porting, lending out dev kits, supporting app and game localization, setting up servers for multi-player games, providing monetary assistance and delivering SDKs,” said Jessie Zhang, senior director of Pico Studios. “As we continue to work with development studios in the West to release not only fan-favorite games but also new, innovative ones, consumers in Asia will have a large supply of entertainment accessible right from the Pico Store.”

Developers are welcome to submit their 6DoF creations for the Pico team to review. If accepted, the app will be listed on the Pico Store and become accessible to the growing audience of Pico users in China, Japan and South Korea. To submit or inquire for more information, email content@pico-interactive.com.

 For more information on Pico Interactive, visit www.pico-interactive.com. For more information on Pico Studios, follow us on Twitter at @Pico_Studio.

About Pico Studios

Pico Studios, a division of Pico Interactive, partners with global developers to bring their games and apps to new audiences in Asia. The team helps developers increase revenue by getting their content in front of an emerging audience of consumers that are eager to try the best games and apps on the Pico Platform. Pico Studios provides publishing and go-to-market services to ensure developers’ apps get seen and played. Pico Studios publishes VR experiences to the Pico Store on both 6DoF headsets, like the Neo 2 and Neo 2 Lite, and 3DoF headsets, like the G2 4K. To learn more, email content@pico-interactive.com.

About Pico Interactive

Pico Interactive focuses on innovative VR and AR solutions that enable businesses to create and experience the best in VR and Interactive Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI). With operations in the United States, Europe, China and Japan, Pico Interactive focuses on creating amazing VR platforms for any application and is built around the principle of “user-first design.” To learn more, visit www.pico-interactive.com.

Media Contact

Elsa Anschuetz

Uproar PR for Pico Interactive

321-236-0102 x233

eanschuetz@uproarpr.com

Pico Completes $37.4M B+ Funding Round; Announces Neo 3 Headset

Pico today announces the completion of a $37.4M B+ funding round. This funding supports Pico’s B2C presence in Asia as well as Pico’s initiatives in Western markets by expanding B2B partners and boosting new product development.

Pico has also announced that an updated model of the Neo 2 headset – the Neo 3 – is being developed and will be released later this year. More details to come at a later date.

Funding to be used for new product development, expansion of partners and deepened service for customers

SAN FRANCISCO – March 10, 2021 – Pico Interactive, a global tech company that develops innovative virtual reality (VR) and enterprise solutions, announces the completion of a $37.4M (€31.4M) B+ funding round, supporting Pico’s B2C presence in Asia as well as Pico’s initiatives in Western markets by expanding the number of B2B partners and boosting new product development.

“Pico is looking to provide its users with the best VR experience possible through excellent hardware, a great content ecosystem and numerous strategic partners,” said Zhou Hongwei, CEO of Pico Interactive. “This funding round will not only help us strengthen the accumulation of key technologies but also introduce high-quality VR games and applications onto our consumer Pico headsets in Asian markets. In addition to the B2C growth in Asia, the funding helps us to continue furthering our presence as a leader in B2B VR solutions in the West. We’re continuously looking for ways to better support our partners and this latest financing will help give us the tools we need to make these visions a reality.”

This funding round was jointly completed by Co-Stone Asset Management Co., Ltd., Shenzhen Yidun Media Investment Fund, Jianyin International Capital Management (Tianjin) Co., Ltd., and CCBI Tech Venture (Suzhou) Combined Debt & Equity Private Equity Fund LLP. Pico has now raised a total of $67.23M (€56.48M) in B and B+ funding. 

Pico is a leader in developing VR headsets for the enterprise, offering four new headsets in 2020 alone. The Neo 2 and Neo 2 Eye are top-of-the-line 6DoF headsets that feature 4K resolution, enterprise functionality, a counterbalanced design for extended wear, spatial stereo speakers and an all-PU facial interface for hygiene. The Neo 2 Eye model adds eye tracking functionality powered by Tobii Spotlight Technology™, allowing businesses to gain a deeper understanding of customer behavior and enhance training efficiency.

An updated model of the Neo 2 headset – the Neo 3 – is being developed and will be released later this year.

Pico’s G2 4K S and G2 4K Enterprise headsets make Pico the only global company to offer a 3DoF solution for the enterprise. Both headsets have 4K resolution, 101° field of view, as well as silicone straps and an all-PU facial interface for easy cleaning. The G2 4K Enterprise also has a 16 MP single RGB camera and more storage to the base model, making it Pico’s most advanced 3DoF head-mounted display (HMD) ever created.

For more information on Pico Interactive, visit www.pico-interactive.com.

About Pico Interactive

Pico Interactive focuses on innovative VR and AR solutions which enable businesses to create and experience the best in VR and Interactive Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI). With operations in the United States, Europe, China and Japan, Pico Interactive focuses on creating amazing VR platforms for any application and is built around the principle of “user first design.” To learn more, visit www.pico-interactive.com.

Media Contact

Elsa Anschuetz

Uproar PR for Pico Interactive

321-236-0102 x233

eanschuetz@uproarpr.com

SPREE Interactive Uses Pico Interactive VR Headsets For International 2021 Installations

SPREE Interactive announced that it has secured a seven-digit investment of an undisclosed amount from two strategic investors and two financial investors in the second closing of its seed round (release here). This latest investment is allowing it to expand its global operations and further its strategic partnership with Pico Interactive. 

SPREE Interactive is upgrading from the Pico G2 VR headset to the new, untethered Neo 2 VR headset with the supporting software – providing the best user experience possible through the immersive powers of VR in a safe manner. The headsets are made of easily cleaned materials so users can stay safe while having fun. The headsets will be used in SPREE’s entertainment centers in North America, Europe and the Middle East.

Nuremberg, Germany

SPREE Interactive, previously known as HolodeckVR, is extremely pleased to announce its strategic partnership with Pico Interactive, a global tech company that develops innovative virtual reality (VR) and enterprise solutions. The two companies look to work closely together to deliver custom B2B solutions for the out-of-home entertainment market. 

The year 2020 has proved to be challenging for the location-based entertainment industry due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With many locations adhering to lockdown restrictions, the economic impact has been huge for both locations and suppliers alike. Many suppliers pivoted their offerings whilst others spent time focusing on product development. SPREE Interactive chose to do both and, as a result, racked up a series of confirmed 2021 installations across North America, Central and Eastern Europe, and the Middle East.

The new installations will use the latest versions of Pico’s untethered Neo 2 VR headsets and supporting operating software. SPREE Interactive previously used Pico’s G2 headset and is now upgrading to the Neo 2 to provide an even better user experience with improved graphic resolution and sanitary materials.

“Pico Interactive and SPREE Interactive share the same goals - both wanting to bring guests the best experience possible through the immersive powers of virtual reality, all in a safe manner. With our love of seeing people enjoy the amazing, fun and entertaining worlds that VR enables, we’re thrilled to join SPREE Interactive in its international expansion,” said Oliver Wöhler, Director Key Accounts Northern Europe at Pico Interactive.

Originally known for high paced family-friendly content, 2020 saw SPREE diversify into edutainment with the release of Mission to Mars. The educational VR experience explores what life would be like if humans colonized the Red Planet, and encourages problem-solving and teamwork.

One industry specialist who is impressed with Mission to Mars is Andreas Gundelwein; Museum Management, Exhibitions / Collections at the Deutsches Museum.

“I am extremely impressed by the VR experience Mission to Mars! SPREE enables us to explore future technologies that are very attractive to us. Deutsche Museum is the world's largest museum of science and technology, with about 28,000 exhibited objects from 50 fields of science and technology. SPREE VR enables us to fast-forward into the future which is exciting!”

“Despite the challenges of last year we are very pleased with our momentum moving forward,” said SPREE CEO Jonathan Nowak. “We are constantly improving our products and games, collaborating with Pico Interactive enables us to push the technological boundaries and provide unique interactive and immersive experiences to our clients and their guests.”

Interested clients, distribution and content partners wanting to learn more about SPREE are invited to join the free virtual FEC conference: https://showup.events/ or contact its commercial director Paul Collimore: paul.collimore@jointhespree.com

ABOUT SPREE INTERACTIVE: SPREE Interactive, formerly known as Holodeck VR, is a pioneer and leader in delivering turn-key large-scale, multiplayer, free-roaming commercial VR attractions to the location-based entertainment industry. The company offers complete solutions that can be installed quickly and operated efficiently. SPREE is a one-stop-shop that makes it easy for owners and operators to offer innovative virtual reality attractions to their visitors. SPREE’s distribution partners market the solutions to several location verticals like shopping malls, family entertainment centers, theme parks, casinos, sports centers, resorts, water parks, and cruise ships. To learn more visit https://jointhespree.com 

ABOUT PICO INTERACTIVE: Pico Interactive focuses on innovative VR and AR solutions which enable businesses to create and experience the best in VR and Interactive Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI). With operations in the United States, Europe, China and Japan, Pico Interactive focuses on creating amazing VR platforms for any application and is built around the principle of “user first design.” To learn more, visit www.pico-interactive.com

Rendever’s Virtual Reality Platform for Seniors Transitions Hardware of Choice to Pico Interactive’s G2 4K Enterprise Headset

All-PU facial interface and unique, counterbalanced design provides hygienic safety and comfort for seniors exploring the world via VR

BOSTON - Rendever, the leading provider of virtual reality (VR) for seniors, today announces that Pico Interactive’s G2 4K Enterprise headset is now its hardware of choice. Pico’s VR headsets are designed with the enterprise in mind, allowing the G2 4K Enterprise to fit Rendever’s current needs and allow for further developments.

From senior living communities to healthcare and hospice organizations, the Rendever platform is being used to reduce depression and loneliness by fostering personal connections amongst populations where life has become limited. VR headsets in each Rendever system are networked, so participants can share synchronous immersive experiences together. Physical limitations are no longer a barrier, as seniors can check off bucket list items together, travel or revisit meaningful places and share stories, stay engaged with family members, and more.

“We are thrilled to work with Pico to provide high quality hardware for our senior living partners. The G2 4K Enterprise headset will not only support our current resident engagement platform, but also allow us to expand our offerings,” said Tom Neumann, Cofounder and Chief Technology Officer at Rendever. “The transition to Pico hardware has been seamless due to the unmatched flexibility of their enterprise offering, and will empower our engineering team to continuously improve our software and add to our suite of custom interactive applications.”

Pico’s G2 4K Enterprise headset features best-in-class 4K resolution, 101° field of view, a 16 MP single RGB camera and 128 GB storage. The all-PU facial interface and counterbalanced design allows for easy cleaning, bringing safety and comfort to seniors utilizing Rendever’s platform.

“We are excited to help Rendever best serve its clients, giving seniors a way to explore the world with their family and friends. Rendever’s mission to overcome social isolation is top of mind as we support their transition to the G2 4K Enterprise,” said Ennin Huang, Vice President of Design at Pico Interactive.

Rendever is already rolling out Pico’s headsets to senior living communities, such as Evergreen Home for Special Care and Go Ye Village.

For more information on Rendever, visit www.rendever.com. Visit www.pico-interactive.com for more information on Pico.

About Rendever
Rendever is overcoming social isolation through the power of virtual reality and shared experiences. From senior living communities to hospitals, their platform is being used to reduce depression and loneliness by fostering personal connections amongst populations where life has become limited. Participants in group sessions can check off bucket list items together, revisit meaningful places and share stories, stay engaged with family members, and more. Rendever is being used by high-profile senior living operators including Revera, Benchmark, and SRG, healthcare systems such as UCHealth and Cleveland Clinic, has research funded by the NIH and NIA, and has commercial partnerships with major organizations like AARP and Verizon. To learn more, please visit www.rendever.com.

About Pico Interactive
Pico Interactive focuses on innovative VR and AR solutions which enable businesses to create and experience the best in VR and Interactive Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI). With operations in the United States, Europe, China and Japan, Pico Interactive focuses on creating amazing VR platforms for any application and is built around the principle of “user first design.” To learn more, visit www.pico-interactive.com.

Media Contact
Elsa Anschuetz
Uproar PR for Rendever
eanschuetz@uproarpr.com 
321.236.0102 x233

TIME Best Inventions 2020: The Corporate VR Solution Pico Interactive Neo 2 Eye VR Headset

With built-in spatial audio speakers that enable a surround-sound-like experience and integrated cameras to map your environment, the Neo 2 Eye ($899) matches or exceeds other entertainment-­oriented headsets in quality and performance. But that’s where the similarities end. Unlike other headsets, the Neo 2 Eye, which is primarily meant for corporate use, features eye-tracking software that can detect where you’re looking. That tech comes in handy for seeing exactly what part of a new product a customer is ogling or helping an employee learn a new skill—so it’s no wonder that some of the headset’s earliest adopters include companies like HTX Labs and Strivr, which develop virtual solutions for professional training. What’s more, the headset has no pesky cables to deal with or sensors to set up to get started. That means users can move freely in their real-world space—without getting yanked back to reality.

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How Ophthalmologists Use Virtual Reality (VR) To Analyze Visual Disorders

Through Partnership with Pico Interactive, Ophthalmologists Tap into Olleyes VRP (Virtual Reality Platform) to Provide At-Home Care

Amid the telehealth revolution, ophthalmologists are at the forefront of change with Olleyes’ virtual reality solution. Today, Olleyes and Pico Interactive announce a partnership to bring even more access to immersive, increasingly remote care. Here are a variety of ways this virtual reality tech is being implemented by ophthalmologists:

• At Home Care: Patients preferring at-home care will be sent VR headsets to their homes. Doctors then will analyze a patient’s eyes and provide a diagnosis.

• One Stop Shop: When neurologists perform surgery, patients need to go to an ophthalmologist to get a visual field test done immediately afterward. Now with VR, doctors will hand patients a VR headset and conduct visual tests right at the hospital.

• Car Testing: With the pandemic, socially distanced care has never been more important. Patients now will head into the office to check-in, get tested in the car with the VR headset and then return the headset for the doctor’s in-person evaluation.

The platform runs on Pico Interactive’s G2 4K headset, bringing crisp 4K resolution and counterbalanced design

Olleyes’ platform runs on Pico Interactive’s G2 4K headset, providing crisp 4K resolution and a counterbalanced design for comfort. Each Pico G2 4K has access to replaceable PU face inserts that are easy to clean and hygienic for mass use – something increasingly important during the pandemic.

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 18, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Olleyes, a medical device company developing portable and home-based diagnostic products for eye care, is providing at-home care solutions with its VisuALL VRP virtual reality platform, running on Pico Interactive’s G2 4K headset. This technology allows providers to safely diagnose and actively monitor eye diseases in patients in a remote setting.

VisuALL VRP is a portable visual care testing platform that includes visual field testing, visual acuity testing and much more. The platform combines VR and artificial intelligence technology to give eye care providers a way to remotely test for and monitor common eye diseases. With increased sanitary measures and physical distancing needed in clinics worldwide because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Olleyes allows eye care providers to increase productivity, portability and safety.

To diagnose and monitor patients with glaucoma and neuro-ophthalmic diseases, visual field testing is needed. With Olleyes, eye care providers move past the days of cumbersome devices requiring patients to fixate their eyes for several minutes. The VisuALL VRP running on Pico’s G2 4K headset gives providers the flexibility to run tests in waiting rooms, cars or patients’ homes for both convenience and to adhere to current COVID-19 safety protocols.

“While the use of telehealth increased rapidly over the last year, efficient tools for eye care providers remained incredibly limited – until now,” said Dr. Alberto Gonzalez, CEO of Olleyes. “In healthcare, ophthalmologists and optometrists have been heavily impacted by the pandemic, experiencing a loss of 79% and 75% of visits since April respectively. The decrease in patient visits shows the lack of technology adoption within the industry, and our team at Olleyes has set out to innovate eye care with the latest tools. Virtual reality shows great promise, not only to give patients more flexibility and increase sanitary measures but also to boost productivity among staff at clinics.”  

In the wake of heightened concern for safety, Pico’s G2 4K headset has access to replaceable PU face inserts that are easy to clean and hygienic for mass use. The headset provides 4K resolution and a counterbalanced design for the comfort of the patient.

“At Pico, we empower healthcare providers such as Olleyes to make it easy to deploy VR. With a wealth of experience in the industry, Olleyes is solving an old problem with new technology that makes visual field testing more accessible than ever. We're excited to help bring VR telehealth to the ophthalmology market,” said Will Winston, US Sales and Partnerships Director at Pico Interactive.

For more information on Olleyes, visit www.olleyes.com. Visit www.pico-interactive for more information on Pico.

About Pico Interactive
Pico Interactive focuses on innovative VR and AR solutions which enable businesses to create and experience the best in VR and Interactive Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI). With operations in the United States, Europe, China and Japan, Pico Interactive focuses on creating amazing VR platforms for any application and is built around the principle of “user first design.” To learn more, visit www.pico-interactive.com.

About Olleyes
Olleyes is a medical device company founded with the objective of revolutionizing eye care. Its core product – VisuALL VRP – is a virtual reality platform designed for standardized and remote assessment for eye care.

Media Contact
Elsa Anschuetz
Uproar PR for Pico Interactive
eanschuetz@uproarpr.com
321.236.0102 x233

MATTS DIGITAL and Pico Interactive have signed a partnership to promote Pico’s virtual reality solutions in France and Europe

Paris, September 1st, 2020 – Pico Interactive, a global tech company that develops innovative virtual reality (VR) and enterprise solutions, and MATTS DIGITAL, an AR&VR value added distributor, have entered into a partnership to promote the deployment of Pico’s VR solutions in Europe on the mid-market and Enterprise market.

MATTS DIGITAL will be able to promote the complete range of products developed by Pico, including its new Neo 2, Neo 2 Eye, G2 4K S and G2 4K Enterprise VR headsets. MATTS DIGITAL will also promote Pico’s technical services for professional customers.

“Our various virtual reality headsets are unique, as they were built with the enterprise in mind. As we continue to evolve and grow our offerings to meet business demands, we set out to find a strong partner to develop our position in Europe. MATTS DIGITAL’s logistical capability and unique professional service offering allow us to develop and establish ourselves for the long term in Europe, particularly in France,” said Leland Hedges, General Manager for Pico Interactive Europe. “Pico has developed a strong reputation among customers and content developers for autonomous virtual reality headsets. This range of products perfectly complements the headsets offer we already have in our catalog. We are pleased to be able to support Pico in France and Europe and promote their solutions with the professional services that we have developed to meet our customers’ expectations,” said Stephane COURGEON, President of MATTS DIGITAL.

About Pico Interactive

Pico Interactive focuses on innovative VR and AR solutions which enable businesses to create and experience the best in VR and Interactive Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI). With operations in the United States, Europe, China and Japan, Pico Interactive focuses on creating amazing VR platforms for any application and is built around the principle of “user first design.” To learn more, visit www.pico-interactive.com. Contact Pico Interactive Business Inquiries: Leland Hedges – General Manager leland@pico-interactive.com Media Inquiries: Elsa Anschuetz eanschuetz@uproarpr.com

About MATTS DIGITAL

Matts Digital is a Value-Added distributor, specializing in AR&VR solutions. We offer a full range of headsets, peripherals, accessories, and hygiene products, as well as unique professional services in this area. Our significant industrial and logistical capacity allows our customers to serenely consider the deployment and maintenance of their AR&VR projects on a large scale, in France and abroad. Contact MATTS DIGITAL Stephane COURGEON - President stephane.courgeon@matts-digital.com + 33 6 60 17 60 50

New Pico, Snobal Partnership Increases Accessibility for VR Business Content Creators

Today, Pico Interactive announced its partnership with Snobal – the maker of Snobal Cloud, an enterprise-friendly VR deployment solution – to help business content creators build and scale their VR enterprise experiences and solutions.

Combining Pico’s powerful VR headsets and Snobal’s enterprise-friendly VR deployment solution, this partnership helps business content creators build and scale their VR enterprise experiences and solutions. Businesses can easily manage headsets, users, permissions, sessions, visitors and experiences on Pico’s headsets right out of the box through Snobal’s deployment platform – Snobal Cloud. Now more business content developers can utilize the platform to create, deliver and analyze the effectiveness of their VR applications.

In addition, user privacy is of the utmost importance to Pico and Snobal, which is why no social media profiles are required for use (like Oculus’ recent move) – all the way from setting up the headset to utilizing the platform.

Utilizing Pico’s line of 3DoF and 6DoF headsets and Snobal’s enterprise virtual reality (VR) deployment solution, content developers can now easily deliver, manage and scale VR enterprise experiences and solutions

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 27, 2020 -- Pico Interactive, a global tech company that develops innovative virtual reality (VR) and enterprise solutions, today announces its partnership with Snobal, a technology company developing enterprise VR and augmented reality (AR) cloud solutions, including Snobal Cloud – a VR deployment solution. Combining Pico’s powerful VR headsets and Snobal’s enterprise-friendly VR deployment solution, this partnership grows the VR for business ecosystem and helps business content creators deliver, manage and scale their VR enterprise experiences and solutions.

No two businesses have the same needs, which is why Pico recently released both 3 Degrees of Freedom (3DoF) and 6DoF headsets in 2020. With the discontinuation of the Oculus Go, Pico continues to serve the business community as the only global company to offer a wireless 3DoF solution with its G2 4K S and G2 4K enterprise headsets, while still offering its 6DoF headsets as well – Neo 2 and Neo 2 Eye with eye tracking capabilities. Pico’s partnership with Snobal is another step forward in expanding its portfolio of business solutions, while also aiding in the development of enterprise VR applications.

This partnership also fosters a more streamlined experience for customers and users of VR in the workplace. By using Snobal’s VR deployment platform, Snobal Cloud, businesses can easily manage multiple headsets, users, permissions, sessions, visitors and experiences on Pico’s headsets right out of the box. Snobal works with customers spanning a variety of industries, including training, healthcare, education, telecommunications, infrastructure and VR enterprise content creators.

“With Pico’s headsets and Snobal’s deployment solution both created with the enterprise in mind, our partnership helps bolster our offerings to existing and new customers,” said Leland Hedges, General Manager for Pico Interactive Europe. “When forming partnerships, we look for companies that bring value to our customers, align with our mission and prioritize the privacy of our users. Snobal fit the bill perfectly, and we’re looking forward to seeing more solutions and experiences built for enterprise that are easy for businesses to deploy through Snobal Cloud.”

“From working with businesses, government and educational organizations on their VR content requirements, we know they require some key enterprise features from their VR solutions and experiences: control over data and where it resides; control over users; control over privacy, headset and hardware used; and ease of updates,” said Murray James, co-founder and CEO for Snobal. “As none of the existing deployment platforms delivered on these needs, we built Snobal Cloud from the ground up with business users in mind. We have a bold vision to make it easier for businesses to solve real world challenges using VR and AR, which requires an openness to collaborate with partners such as Pico in new and exciting ways.”

Both Pico and Snobal believe the privacy of its users is of the utmost importance, which is why no social media profiles are required for use – all the way from setting up the headset to utilizing the platform.

For more information on Pico Interactive, visit www.pico-interactive.com. For more information on Snobal, visit https://snobal.io/.

About Pico Interactive
Pico Interactive focuses on innovative VR and AR solutions which enable businesses to create and experience the best in VR and Interactive Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI). With operations in the United States, Europe, China and Japan, Pico Interactive focuses on creating amazing VR platforms for any application and is built around the principle of “user first design.” To learn more, visit www.pico-interactive.com.

About Snobal
Snobal is a technology company that is a market leader in the development of virtual reality and augmented reality (XR) solutions. Our XR software solutions help organizations of all sizes and industries better train, communicate and collaborate. All XR solutions are based on the enterprise friendly XR deployment platform – Snobal Cloud. For more information on Snobal visit https://snobal.io/.

Media Contact
Elsa Anschuetz
Uproar PR for Pico Interactive
321-236-0102 x233
eanschuetz@uproarpr.com

NJ school district turns to VR to show how bullying feels. (Pico Headsets on CBS This Morning thanks to partner Kinful!)

In CBS’s series "School Matters," CBS is highlighting a problem plaguing many schools around the country: bullying.

New Jersey seventh grader Luca Mattielli says his problems with bullies began in elementary school.

"I guess I'm not respected towards them, because they're all the cool kids and they got their big shot stuff," Mattielli says. "And I'm not. I'm just boring. I'm boring old me... boring to the sense where I am not the greatest soccer player that they've ever known. I was always picked last during gym."

CBS News was there as Mattielli and his classmates watched a 360-degree video, made by their 8th grade peers, for the first time. Through virtual reality, the students show each other what it feels like to be excluded from activities like basketball.
 
Michael Davino, the superintendent of the Springfield School District, introduced virtual reality technology into the curriculum last year.

"We needed a way to convey to those people, 'if you knew what this felt like, you might not do it,'" Davino says.

Davino says the ultimate goal of the virtual reality videos is, "To open up to as many young people and adults as we can, the serious and long-range impact of being mean-spirited just to satisfy yourself. And that in the end your satisfaction is fleeting, and those people are suffering."

Although 49 states have anti-bullying legislation, there is no federal law. Nearly half of children in grades four through 12 reported being bullied in school at least once in the past month. And nearly a third of students admitted to bullying others in the same time frame.

Davino was driven to start doing the videos, in part, by New Jersey college student Tyler Clementi, who died by suicide in 2011. The tragedy spawned state wide anti-bullying legislation, but Davino says it doesn't go far enough.
 
"It's essentially become a reporting law and doesn't really address the underlying problems that lead to harassment, intimidation and bullying," Davino says.
 
So, he teamed up with Kinful, a company that teaches social-emotional learning by using virtual reality to recreate real-life scenarios like the cyber-bullying Erica Carrie faced in high school.
 
Carrie says her peers picked on her because she had a lot of guy friends.
 
"There would always be some sort of slut shaming," Carrie says. "I think there was one point where I just, like, did not wanna even go out of my room at home."
 
Now a college freshman, she hopes this experiment breaks through to both students and parents.
 
"I want them to take away that we have to think about how the bully is feeling, and that they do have an insecurity, and that we should be nicer to them, as well," Carrie says. "We kind of glaze over that when talking about bullying."

High school freshman Morghan Blair hopes her video impacts others and reminds them how much words can hurt.
 
"And the one word that I don't like always comes up in every conversation," Blair says. "The N-word. So I used that. I had to show people how it feels to be in my shoes if they had to for one day."
 
She says learning to forgive has helped her heal, but the scars will never entirely fade.
 
"It's like a birthmark," Blair says. "It can't always be covered up, but it's always just gonna be there with you, but at the end of the day, it makes you stronger as a person."

Source