🌟 Welcome Expanded Existence (eXeX) to VRARA! 🌟

We are thrilled to congratulate our newest member, *Expanded Existence (eXeX)*, for receiving a prestigious recognition from Time Magazine! 🏆🎉 Highlighted in Time Magazine, eXeX stands out as a trailblazer in redefining immersive experiences that bridge the physical and digital worlds, offering a groundbreaking perspective on how technology can enhance and elevate human connection and creativity.

The VRARA is proud to have such an innovative, visionary company joining our global community. We look forward to supporting eXeX on their journey to create impactful, transformative VR experiences that inspire and engage.

Let’s celebrate this achievement and warmly welcome eXeX into the VRARA family! 🚀🌐

Full Article: https://time.com/7094558/exex-experiencex/

#VRARA #VRCommunity #ImmersiveTech #Innovation #ExpandedExistence #VRRecognition #TimesMagazine

Sony Electronics Unveils Major Updates to Spatial Reality Display with SDK 2.4.0

Introducing Multi-Display Support, Viewer Log Capabilities, and Expanded Development Tool

 PARAMUS, NJ — Oct. 30, 2024 — Sony Electronics has released the software development kit (SDK) version 2.4.0 for its Spatial Reality Displays (SRD), delivering powerful new tools and features designed to elevate the 3D-content creation and display experience. With the addition of multi-display support, viewer log functionality, and extended development platform compatibility, this update empowers content creators to produce even more immersive and high-impact 3D content .

 Multi-Display Support for Expansive 3D Experiences

SDK version 2.4.0 introduces the ability to combine multiple Spatial Reality Displays for larger and more engaging visual setups. This new functionality opens exciting opportunities across various industries, from museums and exhibitions to digital signage:

• Vertical Array: Stack up to four displays for life-sized, full-body figures or tall content that brings a lifelike presence to immersive installations.

• Horizontal Array: Align up to three displays for wide-screen, panoramic 3D content, ideal for large-scale presentations and events.

• Grid Array: Create a 2x2 grid of four displays, producing the equivalent of a 55-inch screen,  perfect for displaying large objects or creating impactful viewing experiences.

 Viewer Log for Performance Insights

 Another key feature of SDK 2.4.0 is the new viewer log capability. This tool allows content creators to gather quantitative data on viewer engagement, including the number of viewers and viewing duration, providing valuable insights into the performance of 3D content at exhibitions, events, and installations. This data can help optimize content and improve visitor engagement.

 Expanded Support for Leading Development Platforms

 SDK 2.4.0 enhances application development by expanding support for key platforms, including:

• Unreal Engine 5.4

• Unity Plugin DX12

• Extended OpenXR compatibility

 These advancements make it easier for developers to integrate the Spatial Reality Display into existing workflows, enabling the creation of highly realistic 3D content with more intuitive, efficient development processes.

 Upcoming Firmware Version 1.30.00 Further Enhances Display Performance

 Alongside the SDK release, Sony will introduce firmware version 1.30.00 for the ELF-SR2 model at the end of November 2024. This firmware update builds on the display's capabilities by improving facial recognition performance, making the 3D viewing experience even smoother and more seamless. Additionally, it expands color gamut support with DCI-P3 and Rec.2020 compatibility, allowing for more vibrant and accurate color reproduction . The firmware also introduces side-by-side stereoscopic 3D viewing, which can be activated through the function (Fn) button, further enhancing the depth and realism of 3D content .

 Together, SDK 2.4.0 and firmware 1.30.00 mark a significant step forward in Sony’s commitment to delivering the best tools for 3D content creation and immersive display, offering creators more control, flexibility, and impact.

 For more details  and to download the latest SDK, visit the Spatial Reality Display developer site here.

Mariam Brian appointed as VR/AR Association Co-Chair for Aerospace

We are thrilled to have Mariam Brian help lead our global community with regards to the Aerospace industry vertical and host our weekly online sessions with guest speakers, presentations, live discussions, and networking to help our Members grow your knowledge and connections.

Mariam is the Founder and CEO of Holo Art at the intersection of art, space, science, and technology, shaping cultural consciousness. She is also the president of the Montreal vrara chapter, member of “we work in space”, “metashapers” community, an executive advisor at Levio, a multimedia artist, quantum philosopher, author, and mother. 

As a global keynote speaker and subject matter expect on changing human behavior at scale with digital transformation, she has given talks in Paris, London, New York, Hong Kong, Brazil, Australia, Capetown, and Dubai on topics such as the future of education, quantum security, IP, human habits and cultural formation. Her work is focused on collective intelligence, exponential innovation, and designing better futures for humanity. She is excited to join the vrara as co chair of the aerospace committee. 

VRARA & HTC Vive: Powering the Future of Energy with XR Innovation

🌟 Big News in XR for Energy! 🌟

HTC Vive has just launched an essential resource for the energy sector: the 2024 XR for Energy E-Book! This comprehensive guide, unveiled at today’s VRARA Energy Committee meeting, highlights the transformative power of XR technology in the energy industry. From improving workforce training and safety to optimizing operational workflows, XR is reshaping the way energy leaders approach their work.

This initiative is a collaboration with the VRARA, reflecting HTC Vive’s dedication to innovation and impact as a proud corporate member. We’re excited to bring this resource to the industry and to see XR technology in action!

📥 Dive into the E-Book and discover the future of XR in energy: https://business.vive.com/us/stories/xr-energy-ebook-2024/

Let's help spread the word on this incredible contribution to the industry!

#HTCVive #VRARA #XR #EnergyInnovation #DigitalTransformation #EnergySector #VirtualReality

HTC VIVE is now the first VR headset manufacturer to support VRdirect's VRXF format

HTC VIVE supports VRdirect´s VRXF format

Dear Community,

We are delighted to inform our community that HTC VIVE, a leading VR headset manufacturer, is now the first to support VRdirect's VRXF format. This advancement streamlines the process for HTC VIVE headsets to seamlessly handle VRXF files, removing the need for specialized players or external tools and simplifying VR integration within corporate settings.

This compatibility marks a significant milestone for businesses aiming to incorporate VR, as it ensures a smooth and efficient user experience throughout your organization. Both HTC VIVE and VRdirect are committed to simplifying the adoption of VR for enterprise customers, focusing on compatibility and optimizing the user experience with their VR hardware and software solutions.

As HTC VIVE is the first VR headset manufacturer to support the VRXF format, organizations can now introduce Virtual Reality across the enterprise - with a setup of VR hardware and software that is compatible and provides a great user experience for employees working with VR.

Read the full press release here!

Orange County VRARA member, Contrast Reality is excited to share a free mixed-reality Halloween experience

Orange County VRARA member, Contrast Reality is excited to share a

free mixed-reality Halloween experience available exclusively on the Apple Vision Pro.

The experience is available in their new free app, Immersion Spatial Experiences

available to download in the App Store (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/immersion-

spatial-experiences/id6701992961).

The Halloween experience, named Snatcher’s Revenge, uses the new object tracking

APIs available in visionOS 2 to detect a candy bar in your hand and show a virtual

replica of it. The mini-experience allows for two modes of interaction, trick or treat – with

trick, using hand tracking and gestures, and treat, using object tracking of a small

number of candy bars. In treat mode, when the user brings the candy bar near the

virtual character, the virtual character attempts to steal the candy bar from the user’s

hands.

The Halloween experience showcases the possibilities XR has for brands to create

immersive, interactive content to drive engagement. More information about the

experience can be found on Contrast Reality’s page

(https://contrastmedialabs.com/news/immersion-halloween-2024/).

Youtube video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTYVsRp5_QA

Oculum® Partners with DigiLens to Launch DigiSaaS

Atlanta, GA — October 14, 2024 — Oculum, a leading innovator in platform-as-a-service (PaaS) solutions for video conferencing and unified communications (UC), has announced a groundbreaking partnership with DigiLens Inc., a pioneer in waveguide display technologies. The collaboration will launch DigiSaaS, a new subscription-based service that empowers the independent software vendor (ISV) ecosystem by enabling seamless integration with DigiLens' ARGO™ smartglasses.

The Oculum platform, which is 100% encrypted and both HIPAA and GDPR-compliant, is designed to provide carrier-grade, voice-activated software solutions that will integrate directly with DigiLens’ ARGO smartglasses. This partnership marks a significant step forward in delivering immersive, remote collaboration experiences across various industries, from healthcare and manufacturing to education and beyond.

"Oculum is excited to partner with DigiLens in transforming how businesses and industries engage with remote, immersive environments. Together, we are setting a new standard for AR-based communication and collaboration," said Dan Anderson, CEO of Oculum. "Our integration with DigiLens' ARGO platform allows us to deliver shared immersive experiences to a global audience."

The partnership will also launch DigiSaaS, an industrial app store offering subscription-based services designed to meet the needs of modern industries. Powered by Oculum’s multi-tenant, white-label video conferencing and UC platform, DigiSaaS will allow users to securely participate in multi-party meetings from any device, ensuring a seamless, scalable experience.

"Oculum’s carrier-grade platform is ideal for our ARGO smartglasses and the DigiSaaS service," said Nima Shams, VP and GM of the Product Business Unit at DigiLens. "With Oculum, we can provide secure and scalable remote collaboration, elevating how users experience our smartglasses."

This partnership represents a significant milestone for Oculum as it brings its secure, high-quality communication solutions to the forefront of AR technology, further advancing the future of remote, virtual collaboration.

About Oculum®
Oculum is a leading provider of encrypted, carrier-grade video conferencing and unified communications solutions. With the support of 20 years of proven UC platform development, 110+ patents, and millions of subscribers, the Oculum platform offers secure, scalable, and immersive experiences for businesses across industries. www.oculumvc.com

Media Contact:

Terry Sullivan

terry.sullivan@oculumvc.com

About DigiLens Inc.
DigiLens is a leader in holographic waveguides used for XR displays. The company has developed a patented optical platform and photopolymer technology that deliver best-in-class solutions using a unique, low-cost contact-copy manufacturing process. DigiLens enables OEM partners to design and build XR-enabled devices for the global automobile, enterprise, consumer, avionics, and defense industries. Based in Sunnyvale, CA, DigiLens’ investors include industry leaders like Samsung Electronics, Samsung Electro-Mechanics, Diamond Edge Ventures, the strategic investment arm of Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation, Alsop Louie Partners, Optimas Capital Management, 37 Interactive Entertainment, UDC Ventures, the corporate venture arm of Universal Display Corporation, Niantic, Inc., Sony Innovation Fund, Dolby Family Ventures, Continental AG, and more. www.digilens.com

Media Contact:

Brian Hamilton

Brian.Hamilton@DigiLens.com

Edstutia Launches Immersive Learning Foundations for a Better Way to Learn and Train

New York, NY – October 7, 2024: Edstutia, a pioneer of immersive learning, is proud to announce the launch of Immersive Learning Foundations, a hybrid professional development course aimed at empowering individuals to master Virtual Reality (VR) and other immersive technologies. The course is designed for professionals across industries who want to learn, apply, and implement immersive technology solutions in their work environments.

Edstutia’s Immersive Learning Foundations course provides a blend of self-paced learning modules alongside live VR lab sessions to ensure a flexible, interactive, and robust learning experience for participants. This hybrid format solves key challenges many professionals face in adopting VR technology, including the underutilization of headsets and the lack of structured pathways for learning immersive technologies. 

Learners will acquire hands-on experience in VR environments while building a personalized blueprint to integrate immersive technology into their respective professional fields. Live lab sessions allow participants to practice and apply what they’ve learned while simultaneously building a community of learners in the Edstutia VR campus. 

"The Immersive Learning Foundations course was designed to address the growing need for structured, hands-on experience with VR technology," said Christine Janssen, PhD., Founder and CEO of Edstutia. "We’re excited to provide learning leaders with a convenient, cost-effective way to learn about the tools and resources available through Edstutia to confidently apply VR in their professional environments. We believe this approach can help industries truly unlock the potential of immersive learning and technology — sooner than later."

Learners can register for the Edstutia Immersive Learning Foundations course now. Participants will gain instant access to the self-paced modules and can schedule their VR lab sessions through the course learning platform. To register or learn more about the program, visit the Immersive Learning Foundations page at https://marketing.edstutia.com/ilf-register.

About Edstutia:

Edstutia is an award-winning immersive learning platform and content creator for VR-enhanced learning experiences. Edstutia’s goal is to help organizations integrate data-driven immersive technology to optimize learner engagement and retention. Their expertise lies in people-centric skills that are in high demand in the workplace today. 

VRARA Members get 50% off the course, email info@thevrara.com for your code!

For media inquiries, please contact:

Jose Gonzalez

Edstutia Marketing  

jgonzalez@edstutia.com

VRARA Seattle Participates in OpenXR LIVE meetup with Khronos Group

Roberto Haza,, VRARA Seattle Chapter President and XR/Spatial Computing Consultant introduced VRARA, the global organization where XR meets reality, fostering collaboration between innovative organizations and creators in the VR and AR ecosystem at OpenXR LIVE : Seattle Meetup and Mixer. Watch the replay!

This meetup included the latest updates on the OpenXR specification, implementations, applications and the wider ecosystem as well as talks from developers who will shared their experiences using the API, plus presentations from local XR community leaders. Slides can be found at https://www.khronos.org/events/openxr..

Gene Feldman of Nestle appointed as co-chair of VR/AR Association Metaverse Committee

We are thrilled to have Gene Feldman help lead our community by hosting our weekly online sessions about XR & Metaverse.

Feldman is a member of the Center for Functional Excellence within Nestle Purina Pet Care supporting training innovation through the use of technology. Gene currently holds a Master's in Education and has been is in field of education/training and development for the past 25+ years. Over the past 8 years, Gene has been identified as a leading VR/AR integration expert for immersive training solutions and functional use case implementation.

“I am really excited to co-chair the committee to pass along learnings and solutions to empower those working within XR.”

— Gene Feldman

VRARA London Updates: Digital Body Festival, IBC Accelerator Media Innovation Programme

We are here to keep you up to date on upcoming events and news for VRARA London members and partners. If you have something to share contact us at londonmarketing@thevrara.com.

Digital Body Festival launches in Hackney, 15-17 November

A new festival celebrating the intersection of the moving body and digital technology launches this November. Set across a series of spaces within one of East London’s most dynamic cultural and community hubs, Digital Body Festival will feature exhibition spaces, performances, workshops and live conversations.

Tickets go on sale from 14th October and VRARA members receive a 20% discount - email londonmarketing@thevrara.com​ for details.

IBC Accelerators Media Innovation Programme

The IBC Accelerator Media Innovation Programme showcased proof of concepts over four days in Amsterdam last month. These projects aim to solve complex media and entertainment business and technology challenges, providing a framework for agile, collaborative, and fast-track innovation. The video clip illustrates the Digital Replicas and Talent ID project.

XR and adjacent technologies were key to several projects: Evolution of the Control Room applied XR and natural language control to a real-time production environment. Connect and Produce Anywhere, Phase IIexplored edge-first computing for live remote audio/video contribution. The AI Media Production Lab studied improving creativity and efficiency in production workflows, stamping out bias and AI hallucinations to embrace audience sentiments in content development, and exploring predictive video workflows in sports production.

You can explore these showcase sessions and more at https://show.ibc.org/accelerators-2024-challenges and the IBC 365: Accelerating Innovation podcast.

If these examples inspire you to get involved in the 2025 programme you can register your interest at https://show.ibc.org/

Do you have a story to share?

If you have a story to contribute for the VRARA London Chapter newsletter, contact John Dowsland at londonmarketing@thevrara.com.

John has many years of experience in content management & distribution for film, music and corporate communications, and currently works in calibration technology. In 2018 he joined the board of Cinema Technology Community CIC, and he has been involved in the VRARA since 2022.

Thanks for reading! Click here to Get in touch.

Develop Your Immersive Learning with XR Certifications from VRARA Member Edsutia

Are you ready to get a head start in the world of immersive learning?

VRARA Member Edstutia is offering an exclusive 50% discount to VRARA members for their Certification in XR (ICXR)!

Learn how to harness the power of XR technology to revolutionize the way you teach, train, and engage in your professional context. Whether you're in education, corporate training, or professional development, ICXR will equip you with the cutting-edge skills you need to lead the way.

What’s included:
- Deep knowledge of emerging XR technologies
- Hands-on VR lab sessions to gain real-world experience
- A personalized blueprint for integrating XR into your field

Take advantage of this limited-time offer and email info@thevrara.com to obtain your 50% discount!

Sign up here and be part of the immersive learning revolution!

VRARA Bytes Podcast: Power of Immersion Issue 2

In the VR/AR Bytes Podcast, Orlando Chapter President and VRARA COO John Cunningham provides short interviews with the movers and shakers in the VRARA industry who share their insights into how VR & AR is impacting their businesses.

This week, John sat down with three of the authors of the recent VRARA Enterprise Committee Whitepaper titled "The Power of Immersion Issue 2 - Transforming Manufacturing with XR".

Watch the entire series here, and subscribe to receive the weekly podcast!

Revolutionizing Media: An Immersive OTT Experience Tailored for Apple Vision Pro

Travancore Analytics has developed an advanced OTT platform tailored for Apple’s Vision Pro, revolutionizing media consumption by combining immersive 3D visuals, spatial audio, and gesture-based navigation. This mixed reality headset elevates the OTT experience, providing users with virtual screens that expand within their environment, creating a more personal and dynamic viewing experience. The platform’s seamless integration with Vision Pro allows users to interact with content through intuitive controls, including gestures and voice commands, enhancing engagement and spatial immersion—perfect for live events, 360-degree videos, and other interactive content.

Key features of the platform include personalized content preferences, enabling users to curate their media experience, and robust security protocols ensuring compliance with industry standards, safeguarding user privacy and data. With customizable options, the platform also offers dynamic Digital Rights Management (DRM) capabilities, ensuring that content creators retain control over their intellectual property. Additionally, the platform supports both HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) and DASH (Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP), providing flexible, high-quality streaming that adapts to varying network conditions.

Beyond just streaming, the Vision Pro platform allows users to create personalized virtual environments, letting them enjoy content in unique settings—whether it’s watching a favorite show on a serene mountain peak or in a futuristic living room. This innovation, alongside the seamless transition between augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), sets the OTT platform apart, transforming the way users experience and interact with media in a fully immersive manner.

Explore our blog to learn more!

Website: https://www.travancoreanalytics.com/

Follow us on Linkedin for latest updates: 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/travancore-analytics/

Enrollment for November VRARA Executive Forum Cohort Now Open (Copy)

Enrollment for the November Cohort of the VRARA Executive Forum is now open. This exclusive program is for business and innovation team executives who want to learn how to leverage XR and AI in their businesses and collaborate/learn from the experts in the industry and their peers from "non-competitive" organizations.

Led by COO John Cunningham, this dedicated program is for "end user" business and innovation leaders. It is not a technology program but rather a 12 month "Executive MasterClass in XR/AI" program with cohorts of up to 10 individuals with curated programming.

The best thing about the program is that it is FREE for our Corporate Innovation Team and Corporate level members. What a benefit!

There is nothing like this out there today, and the VRARA is launching this much needed program to help executives figure out how to scale XR and AI!

The cohort duration will be November 1-30th, with a new cohort beginning November 1st.

If you are interested, please email john@thevrara.com for more information.

HTC VIVE and Virtualware Partner to Accelerate Adoption of Enterprise XR

Orlando, Florida, October 7, 2024 - Global leader in premium XR solutions HTC VIVE and European XR enterprise software and solutions provider Virtualware have established a strategic partnership to accelerate adoption of enterprise XR solutions within the Americas market.

This partnership establishes HTC VIVE as an official distributor of the VIROO Enterprise XR Software Platform and applications in North America. Under the agreement, HTC VIVE will sell VIROO directly as well as through its value-added reseller network in the Americas.  

VIROO is a global award-winning enterprise XR platform that enables companies and institutions worldwide access to immersive technology securely through public or private cloud services or through an on-premises server architecture. The robust enterprise XR platform provides multiple ready-to-use applications for users, as well as tools for developers to create and distribute their own custom multi-user XR, simulation and digital twin applications.

Adoption of XR devices is on the rise, with 17 of 23 federal civilian agencies having used immersive technology in fiscal year 2023 per a survey conducted by the United States Government Accountability Office. Strong security is paramount to support the growing use of XR, including for use cases like engineering design, digital twins of restricted sites, and training simulations.

Both Virtualware and HTC VIVE place the highest priority on ensuring the privacy and security of their users. Virtualware holds certification in ISO27001, the globally recognized standard for information security, as well as ISO9001:2015, the standard for quality management systems. HTC VIVE's robust global privacy compliance program is continuously monitored, reviewed, and updated to meet certification requirements in standards like ISO27001, ISO27701, SOC, and open standards like BSIMM.

“Our partnership with Virtualware allows us to offer enterprise customers a broader portfolio of solutions that are integrated with HTC VIVE’s products and technologies. The VIROO platform is a proven enterprise XR software platform that enables large organizations to scale multi-user collaboration, training and digital twin capabilities securely and cost effectively through public cloud and private corporate infrastructure,” said Dan O’Brien, President Americas at HTC VIVE.

John A. Cunningham, President of Virtualware USA stated “HTC VIVE and VIrtualware are already providing the underlying technology platforms for large organizations who are scaling XR.  For example, GE Vernova has deployed our platforms to enable training for nuclear power plant operations across the US and Canada. This new partnership opens up our products to the entire XR ecosystem who want to develop end user solutions using proven technologies that have been designed from the ground up for enterprise use.”   

More information about Virtualware and VIROO can be found in the VIVE business directory and on Virtualware's website. Learn more about HTC VIVE's latest XR headset, VIVE Focus Vision, and get a 1-year VIVE Business+ Pro tier license when you pre-order the Business Edition headset here. This is a limited-time offer. Terms and conditions can be found on the product page.

XPANCEO and JBD Collaborate to Develop AR Smart Contact Lens with Integrated Microdisplay

XPANCEO, a deep tech company developing the next generation of computing through smart contact lenses, has entered a partnership with JBD, a leading MicroLED display producer. This collaboration aims to deliver ultrathin and comfortable smart contact lens with an integrated MicroLED display.

XPANCEO’s goal is to merge all existing devices into one interface, enabling users to enjoy the most common apps and software they use on screens in infinite XR. For this, it is necessary to integrate an image source into the contact lens. As the human eye cannot naturally focus on objects closer than 5-7 cm to its’ surface, complex optical solutions are required. With JBD’s assistance, two promising approaches were tested.

 The first approach uses a projector and hologram combination. This method projects the image at a distance using a hologram so the eye can focus on it. XPANCEO successfully tested this approach with JBD's MicroLED projector for the hologram. Currently, the projector is external, but efforts are underway to integrate it into the lens.

The second approach features an integrated microdisplay that projects the image directly from inside the lens. This method uses a custom collimation system to direct the image as a parallel beam of light, enabling the eye to focus on it. JBD’s display facilitated the creation of a prototype for this integration scheme, proving that total lens thickness of less than 0.5 mm is achievable with this approach.

Switching from smart glasses to smart contact lenses solves many issues that have plagued AR for years. By lowering the resolution in the periphery, where the eye does not need high resolution, the load on the video controller is greatly reduced, and the packaging can be much smaller. The loss of the brightness from display to the eye is 3 times less compared to the now classic waveguiding scheme. Overall, power consumption is expected to be under 10 µW, which is 100-300 times less than comparable prospective AR glasses.

"The MicroLED market is rapidly evolving, and I am confident that its continued growth will result in the development of new, more compact image display systems for various gadgets. The partnership with JBD is a clear demonstration of this trend,” said Dr. Volkov, co-founder and CTO of XPANCEO.

XPANCEO has chosen JBD, a leading manufacturer of MicroLED microdisplays, as the display partner for their next-generation project. This collaboration plays a critical role in advancing AR technology. Leveraging years of know-how & innovation in MicroLED & IC technology, JBD’s microdisplays offer unparalleled brightness and low power consumption of only a few microwatts in a miniscule high PPI display package that is almost imperceptible to the naked eye. These features ensure that clear and vibrant augmented information is displayed to the user in all ambient lighting conditions, whilst operating within the smallest power budgets available, essential for all-day wearability of AR smart devices.

"The development and widespread adoption of AR smart contact lenses will require continued innovation across a range of technologies. JBD remains focused on advancing our MicroLED technology to meet the growing demands of wearable devices, including those in the AR space," said Dr. Xiaoling Qiu of JBD.

Download our new enterprise whitepaper, The Power of Immersion (Issue 2) , authored by industry experts

Download Whitepaper

Enterprise whitepaper vol 2

This publication was produced by our Enterprise Committee.

Authors & Contributors

• Emma Valdes

• Damon Shackelford

• Ron Thompson

• Mark Gröb

• Lucky Gobindram

This white paper is broken into the following parts:

• Executive Overview  

• Headwinds Across Manufacturing

• Introduction to Leadership in Innovation  

• Solving the Headwinds

• Using XR for Enterprise Training  

• XR Impact on Manufacturing Training 

• VR vs. AR/MR Scenarios 

• Company profile: ExxonMobil 

• XR and the Unionized Workforce 

• Practical Steps 

• Appendices

• Popular Providers for XR  

• Author Biographies , Reference, and Disclaimers

Executive Abstract: XR Strategic Advantage 

This paper explores how immersive technologies are transforming the  manufacturing industry by addressing common challenges and enhancing  training, efficiency, and safety. 

Introduction to XR in Manufacturing: The adoption of XR technologies is  helping manufacturers address challenges such as an aging workforce and the  need for upskilling, offering solutions previously unattainable. 

Organizational Ecosystem Spheres: The paper outlines various spheres  within an organization’s ecosystem, such as emerging landscapes, change  management, solutions, workforce, and use cases, each playing a role in the  successful implementation of XR solutions. 

Common Challenges in Manufacturing: Challenges include an aging  workforce, negative perceptions of manufacturing, the need for constant  reskilling, and the speed of adopting new processes. 

XR Solutions and Benefits: XR solutions offer benefits such as enhanced  training, real-time expert access, reduced travel, and safer, more consistent  environments, as demonstrated by companies like Nestle Purina PetCare. 

Practical Steps for Implementation: Recommendations include identifying  potential XR use cases, ranking jobs and skills for training, and designing  training close to production scenarios while collecting data to evaluate success. 

Impact of XR on Training: XR enhances training by providing immersive,  repeatable environments that improve knowledge retention, attention, and  performance, with studies showing significant benefits over traditional methods. 

Unionized Workforce Considerations: Implementing XR in unionized  environments requires understanding the specific culture, involving union  leadership, and respecting union structures and schedules