Immersal launches AR game arcade solution

(Helsinki, Finland & Miami, United States, 5 December 2022) Immersal Oy, part of Hexagon, launched an augmented reality (AR) game arcade at VRARA Global Immerse Summit in Miami. The solution enables the retail and tourism industry as well as other sectors to gamify their customers’ experience while providing monetisation and learning opportunities. Potential AR arcade games are Pinball, Air Hockey, multiplayer Pong, Pacman, Tetris, Space Invaders, Donkey Kong, multiplayer Snakes and Ladders, and more.

With the game arcade solutions, you can decorate an entire neighbourhood in a city with games, for example, placing Tetris on the surface of a high-rise building. A shopping mall can include branded games with a retailer’s logo or products forming part of the game. These AR elements modernise the shopping experience, improve brand engagement and introduce an element of fun.      

Visitors in a new city or shoppers in a mall can use AR through their mobile devices or AR glasses. AR games can be combined with other AR content like navigation or e-commerce as part of a city guide app or shopping mall’s own app.

AR experiences are typically implemented with 5G, either private or public. It is possible to use MEC (multi-access edge computing) servers to ensure the immediate response times necessary for AR content. Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) benefit from supporting these solutions to showcase examples of 5G in use.

Immersal previously introduced a similar solution for stadiums and horse racing tracks and has piloted this together with several operators around the world including Rakuten in Japan. 

In June 2022, Immersal also introduced a personal metaverse app which is an unprecedented way to create, share and experience the metaverse. Immersal App is an easy and fun way to merge physical and digital realities seamlessly into one immersive experience. This functionality can be integrated to both stadium and horse racing solutions.

“To make the metaverse accessible for a larger part of society, we need to lower the barriers to entrance. Games are a great way to inspire people to test AR for the first time. Adding creative monetisation and brand visibility opportunities makes this an attractive option for brands, making this the smartest first step into AR world,” says Anttoni Vesterinen, CEO of Immersal.

About Immersal
Immersal is building world-leading spatial mapping and visual positioning tools – the foundation of the metaverse. Founded in 2015, Immersal’s team is based in Helsinki, Finland, and working with partners, developers and creators across the globe to reimagine how we explore, interact and create. Immersal also has sales offices in Hong Kong and in Silicon Valley, California and is expanding its presence and partner networks globally. The company was acquired by Hexagon in 2021 and continues to pursue the vision of a metaverse built and experienced by everyone on any device.

Hexagon (Nasdaq Stockholm: HEXA B) has approximately 23,000 employees in 50 countries and net sales of approximately 4.3bn EUR. Learn more at hexagon.com and follow us @HexagonAB.

Contact

For related images, videos or additional information please contact:

Päivi Laakso-Kuivalainen, CMO, Immersal Oy, +358 40 757 29 27 paivi.laaksokuivalainen@immersal.com

Learn how Agora is innovating beyond physical boundaries

If you are participating in our Immerse Global Summit in Miami (or virtually) on Dec 5-7, join the Agora session on Dec 5 from 4:55 PM-5:25 PM EST and the Agora booth to connect with our team of XR experts.

The technological innovation around XR has expanded how we collaborate and interact, allowing us to intuitively see beyond what's in front of us, ultimately helping us blend our physical and digital worlds.

​Download the Agora full report here.​

​
​Solving XR Technology Challenges

As impactful as XR technology is, there are considerable technical challenges that developers and businesses are likely to face. These issues range from device compatibility and end-to-end latency to usability and a host of other problem areas.

Agora's technology solves these common issues while taking away the guesswork, so you can focus on creating value for your business. Agora not only helps you merge the physical and virtual worlds, but Agora also helps you seamlessly navigate the metaverse, VR spaces, and other forms of synchronous and asynchronous interactions.

How Agora Innovates

The Blending of Physical and Virtual Worlds with the Metaverse

Agora's solution enables live, interactive video, real-time screen sharing, 3D virtual spaces, and other virtual simulations. With Agora’s streaming technology, VR and non-VR users can connect within an existing application using our SDKs for Unity, Unreal, native (Android, iOS, macOS, Windows), or web. We deliver a full spectrum of human-to-human interactivity—from 1-on-1 to millions of concurrent users—to fit your every need.

Intelligent Network

Agora's proprietary global network provides extensive coverage that dynamically routes data in the most efficient path, reduces packet loss, and delivers ultra-low latency. With over 250+ worldwide data centers, you can count on us for reliability and scalability in connecting with people anywhere.

Immersive Experience – Agora's intelligent network provides sub-seconds latency across devices, enabling users to stream and interact from a physical or virtual camera and modify virtual environments in real time.

Scene Synchronization - Agora’s Real-Time Messaging (RTM) is an instantaneous way to communicate between users via 1-to-1 text chat or group messaging that enhances any app. Users can create channels, set up call invitations, and send unlimited messages.

Spatial Audio – Get a fully immersive experience using the Agora Live Audio steaming for your audio spatialization within the virtual environment. Take fine-grain control of how audio streams are rendered in the virtual environment.

An Inclusive Platform for All

Agora treats every customer and project as an opportunity to understand your unique needs and provide a customized or white-label approach solution to fit your requirements.

AR/VR Use Case Supported by Agora

Gaming, Training & Development, Retail & E-commerce, Manufacturing, Social Experiences & Entertainment, Enterprise Remote Collaboration, Healthcare, Virtual Events, Remote Assistance, and much more.

Featured Partners

HTC’s VIVE Sync VR app bridges the gap between the physical and virtual worlds with Agora’s real-time streaming.

Agora is a Unity Verified Solutions Partner that offers creators and developers the tools to easily add in-game interactivity audio and video chat to any app

Wipro’s interactive Experience (iX) Solutions makes deploying augmented reality solutions straightforward and repeatable.

Agora's Commitment to Your Privacy and Security

As an RTE PaaS (Real-Time Engagement Platform as a Service), your privacy and security are our utmost concern. Therefore, we only collect Internet Protocol (IP) addresses and operational information necessary for providing our services. All other end-user data is managed directly by our customers in their applications. Agora also provides geofencing, allowing customers to choose specific regions where they prefer their data and traffic to pass through.

Agora is certified to ISO/IEC 27001, 27017, 27018, and SOC 2 security standards and meets privacy regulations like GDPR, CCAP, and HIPAA.

Get Started for Free Today!

Zero upfront cost, plus your first 10,000 minutes are free each month.

Unleash your creativity and reimagine the future of extended reality.

To learn more, contact https://www.agora.io/en/talk-to-us​

​Download the Agora full report here​
​

VRdirect News: Creditplus creates customer proximity via Virtual Reality showroom

Banking is becoming increasingly digital. That's why banks and financial institutions must ensure that they remain close to their customers. This is done with the help of Virtual Reality:

Creditplus now offers a 360-degree virtual tour of a digital showroom. This creates proximity to customers and partners as well as the possibility of a 24/7 bank visit. The virtual company presentation is available at any time on smartphone, tablet, PC and for VR glasses and let's the customer decide when to do their banking.

With VRdirect as technology partner, Creditplus has created a Virtual Reality concept for a customer-oriented, interactive and personal company presentation.

Click to read the rest of the story…

Why the Enterprise Needs Metaverse as a Service

Scanning the headlines these days, it’s easy to get the impression that the Metaverse winners will be firms offering the best extended reality (XR) hardware or even the killer apps that enable such experiences. But this may not be the case.

Hardware and software are critical, but they are still only part of a solution. Services are going to be a major differentiator in the XR industry. Why? Because speed-to-solution is going to separate firms that accelerate in this new business reality by arming them with first-mover advantages from those who get lost early in the uncharted waters of the Metaverse.

The competition for leading in the enterprise Metaverse all boils down to making it easier to build, deploy and manage enterprise XR solutions at scale. Enterprise XR customers need solutions that are reliable, flexible, able to address the most popular use cases and help simplify the rolling out of new cutting-edge technology into businesses’ workstreams to do things they’ve never done before. if the enterprise customer can’t manage the solution with ease and confidence over the entire life cycle, then you can’t achieve scalable results with the desired ROI.

Enter the model of Metaverse-as-a-Service (MaaS). Amid the current enterprise environment's focusing on digital transformation, technology stacks are getting larger, and workers’ experiences and expectations are highly dynamic. Firms need trusted technology partners that either build on, or vet and collaborate with, the best technology. Firms will look to open XR solutions and be reluctant to building their presence in the Metaverse behind the ‘walled gardens’ of proprietary technologies and platforms.

Enterprise customers are also looking for XR partners that can help plan, deploy and manage technology so solutions that accelerate business today don’t become roadblocks tomorrow. This requires open solutions to always make the best hardware and software components for the use case available to customers. 

Most firms and their IT decision-makers are first-time buyers in the metaverse. They know how to kick the tires and evaluate the technology. But evaluating technology partners for a multi-year, multi-solution relationship that could transform a business or its operations is going to prove much more complex.

As you start the journey of scaling your enterprise into the Metaverse, make sure to qualify the technology partners at your side, as they may be with you for the long haul. From hardware and software to the services supporting them, the enterprise will need the technology and team that can grow with you. Who knows what the future may have in store? We have only just begun to see the potential held by this next era of enterprise computing.

Created with business managers, developers, and IT managers in mind, the Lenovo ThinkReality portfolio of XR solutions is ready to support your enterprises as it scales into the Metaverse. Let’s start this journey together. 

Meet the Lenovo ThinkReality team at Immerse Global Summit in Miami (or virtually) on Dec 5-7

Aequilibrium, the powerhouse of Culture and Technology

Next week, meet Aequilibrium at the Immerse Global Summit in Miami, as a sponsor. 

As a progressive organization, Aequilibrium believes that the technology of extended reality is integrating at a fast pace with our daily interactions and it has gigantic potential across various industries. We plan to seize the right opportunity in time to make a difference in redesigning the technology of tomorrow as a proactive team of talented individuals.

Aequilibrium is a consulting digital agency headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, focused on digital transformation and innovation for digital and financial services. Aequilibrium provides consulting and implementation services to help progressive companies thrive in the invincible digitized world and drive business growth. 

At Aequilibrium, we craft remarkable experiences by blending innovation, business strategy, technology, project management and governance with a focus on culture and technology.

Clients at Aequilibrium enjoy tailored-to-fit solutions as per their requirements. The global pandemic saw the rise of remote working, and Aequlibrium not only provided clients with options for seamless digital transformation and cloud migration but also offered collaborative platforms for people to work together with ease.

Employees at Aequilibrium are vibrant, energetic, and responsible. The element of fun and culture binds them together at work and also at events that are regularly hosted in virtual and physical spaces. Often the team comes together to collaborate and brainstorm to produce best-in-class outcomes and solutions.

Aequilibrium being a progressive organization values people and their perspectives and believes that the mantra to achieve success lies with the integrity and sincerity of people.

Explore more about our work.

Visit the Aequilibrium booth (#8) at the Immerse Global Summit in Miami on December 5-7 and chat directly with AEQ-ers to share your perspectives and learn more about their mission, vision, capabilities, and offerings.

Majority of Developers are All-In on the Metaverse

Be sure to meet Agora at our Immerse Global Summit ; Tony Wang, Co-Founder of Agora is speaking and Vanessa Mullin, Director of Metaverse, is moderating a panel, Future of Hardware & Headsets with HTC, Qualcomm, Magic Leap & Lenovo. Agora is also exhibiting.

Agora study of 300 US-based developers highlights opportunities and challenges of building and working in the metaverse, with gaming and entertainment expected to be big winners

Depending on who you ask, the metaverse is everything and nothing. A place where everyone is already meeting to work, live and play out their lives digitally. Or a place that really does not even exist yet.

Either way, it is a place of fascination for technophiles and technophobes alike.  

According to a popular definition, the metaverse is an interactive space that combines real-life social interaction with extended reality (XR) and has been labeled as game-changing by many experts across a wide range of industries.

Of course, because the metaverse is projected to be the next internet—internet 3.0 / Web3—over the next two years and become a $300 billion dollar industry, it has everyone’s attention.

We went outside of Agora and spoke to 300 US-based developers to learn more about what they thought about the metaverse and what we will see in the coming years. Why developers, you ask?  For developers, the growth of the metaverse allows the development of new communities and allows them to better connect with users.  

Here’s a closer look at what we found.

Data privacy is key: Who is in charge of protecting your information? 

According to the survey, 33% of respondents believe that data privacy and security are the biggest hurdles that the metaverse must overcome.

The big winners: Gaming and entertainment/leisure

When asked which industry will benefit the most or experience the greatest positive impact from the metaverse, the developers surveyed put gaming and entertainment at the top, with 26% each.

It’s all about being social: Expect social to migrate to the metaverse

More than half of the developers (55%) say that it is likely the metaverse will replace real-life, in-person social interactions and experiences within the next 5 years.

Show us the money: Metaverse currency

The majority of developers are bullish on NFTs and believe they will become the biggest currently in the near team.

Further, 57% of respondents think that the metaverse will become the most popular place to buy, store and trade cryptocurrency, while 18% disagree and 25% feel neutral.

And when asked if cryptocurrency and blockchain technology advancements will be critical to shaping the future of the metaverse, 70% agreed, 9% disagreed and 21% felt neutral.

Who will own the metaverse? It’s too early to tell

It shouldn’t surprise that Facebook/Meta was top of mind in this survey, with more than half (55%) of respondents putting it on top of “owning” the metaverse. The other top responses weren’t surprising either:  

A key to growth

When asked if real-time engagement technology (interactive, two-way digital video and audio) will be the solution to creating a more engaging and connected experience for the metaverse, 72% believe it will be critical, while 5% think it won’t be a prominent factor and 22% feel neutral about it.

Aequilibrium nurturing Thought Leadership in the journey of Innovation

Meet thought leaders from Aequilibrium at the Immerse Global Summit in Miami and learn more about their ideas and forecasts on how technology can change the world with innovation.

Aequilibrium being a progressive organization believes that the key to excellence is knowledge. The thought leaders in Aequilibrium believe that XR has the potential to change the world with immense capabilities in the domain of financial service, retail and commerce, and training across various industries.

Adrian Moise, the Founder and CEO of Aequilibrium, personally nurtures the thought leadership initiative. Aequilibrium has an in-house team to drive this initiative. In preparation for success, the initiative involves reading, learning, and vigorously researching topics focussed on XR, metaverse, digital transformation and strategy, to name a few. 

These articles are rich with information drawn from research and experience and act as road maps for future capabilities. The ideas shared are focused on the past, present, and future of technology and also case studies and possibilities.

The blogs are highly appreciated and applauded and people stay eager to hear from their leaders about new trends and technology. The shared knowledge helps with individual growth, widens perspectives, and is then implemented in the form of work.

Explore our thought leadership articles to gain pace with what's new and innovative across industries!

Visit the Aequilibrium booth (#8) at the Immerse Global Summit in Miami on December 5-7 and chat directly with AEQ-ers to share your perspectives and learn more about their mission, vision, capabilities, and offerings.

Multi-Trillion Dollar Metaverse Ecosystem on Showcase by Global Tech Leaders & Partners at Immerse Global Summit Miami

3-day conference to feature speakers from AT&T, Qualcomm, Meta, Magic Leap, Sony, Lenovo, Amazon, Microsoft, Walmart, Mayo Clinic, HTC, Unity, Shiba Metaverse.

PALO ALTO, CA, UNITED STATES, November 24, 2022 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The VR/AR Association (VRARA) announced today many of the 150+ speakers and partners who will be featured at Immerse Global Summit taking place in Miami, FL December 5-7, 2022, covering topics including XR, Metaverse, virtual reality, augmented reality, blockchain, 5G, cloud technologies and other immersive technologies that are impacting every sector of business, media and entertainment.

3-day conference to feature speakers from AT&T, Qualcomm, Meta, Magic Leap, Sony, Lenovo, Amazon, Microsoft, Walmart, immersal, Agora, ResMed, Mayo Clinic, rooom, Emteq, UL, Merck, HTC, aequilibrium, Mozilla, AMPD, Unity, Perfect Corp, FBI, Accenture, General Motors, Shiba Metaverse
and Partner Participation from DreamlandXR, Consulate General of Canada in Miami, Smart Cities Americas, BitBasel, Mission Impact and FIBREE, the Real-Estate Blockchain Association.

With its potential to generate up to $5 trillion in value by 2030, the metaverse is too big for companies to ignore.”— McKinsey & Company, Metaverse Value Creation, 6/2022

Schedule highlights and featured speakers include:

AT&T Keynote - with Andrew Bennett, AVP - Mass Market 5G Products, AT&T

Digital Twins and How Unity is Helping Customers, Dave Rhodes SVP & GM, Unity

Qualcomm Keynote with Brian Vogelsang, Snapdragon Spaces Lead

Building Bridges to the Future: The XR Journey @ Meta

Choose your own Adventure: Journey into the Enterprise Metaverse, Jason McGuigan, Head of Virtual Reality, Lenovo

Metaverse Marketing - It doesn't have to be SCARY! Casey Jensen, rooom

Panels and Activations from DreamlandXR will showcase entertainment and media panels and showcases.

BitBasel, Miami’s Crypto Art Community will host panels on crypto and art, including a pre-event “Immerse-Day” at Miami Art Week.

FIBREE will showcase multiple panels featuring leaders on Blockchain and its Impact on Real-Estate

EQ for XR: Helping Your Retail Colleagues Adopt 3D, Cynthia Maller, Walmart

FBI to Keynote

18 Canadian Companies as part of a delegation supported by the Consulate General of Canada in Miami will be featured as speakers, exhibitors and panelists.

Speed Dating Activation - Get your game face on! You have 3 minutes to meet, pitch, listen and connect with your fellow attendees before the whistle blows and you need to move on to the next person! This is speed networking at its most intense.

And much more!

Miami is one of the high-growth technology cities in the US. Demand for technology jobs is rising, and Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties were among the top markets for the growth of tech job postings during the first six months of 2022, according to the Dice Tech Job Report, an analysis that looks at hiring trends by location, employers, role and skills.

Venue: Fontainebleau Miami Beach, Miami Florida

The Immerse Global Summit will feature dynamic keynotes, industry tracks, demos, exhibits, networking, and amazing VIP events. It will showcase the best that the industry has to offer.

Get tickets to Immerse Global Summit here.
Learn more about The VR/AR Association here.

About The VR/AR Association:

Owned and produced by The VR/AR Association (VRARA), Immerse Global Summit is one of the most innovative technology conference series in the world and has hosted over 70,000 attendees over the past two years at its virtual events and in-person conferences in Europe and North America, with a commitment to facilitating innovation and creativity through cross-pollination of enterprise and consumer technology showcases combined with business growth strategy. The conferences bring together a mix of the most talented business leaders, developers, creative designers, and product managers from around the world.

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

Contact Information:

Nathan Pettyjohn
President, Immerse Global Summit and VR/AR Association (VRARA)
nathan@thevrara.com

Kris Kolo
Global Executive Director, VR/AR Association (VRARA)
kris@thevrara.com

Kris Kolo
VRAR Association
+1 314-640-1404
email us here

Immerse Global Summit Miami: The Best Way to Connect With Tech Leaders

Casey Jensen appointed as Co-Chair of VR/AR Association's WebXR Committee

We are thrilled to have Casey Jensen help lead our international community on WebXR best practices and guidelines.

Meet Casey and the rooom team at our Immerse Miami show in Dec.

Casey Jensenis the Vice President of Sales & Marketing for North America at rooom Inc.
He has spent the last 20 years working in sales and management for some of the most innovative digital technology companies in the world, including launching one of the first regional offices for Google in 2002. Throughout that time, he has worked with clients such as Hilton, American Airlines, Dell, Neiman Marcus, Michael Kors, Gucci, Apple as well as many of the top ad agencies in the US. He found a fanatical passion for computer vision, AR, VR and the metaverse while consulting for companies around the world on digital transformation and helping bring these immersive technologies to market for enterprise companies and brands.

Aequilibrium nurturing thought-leadership in the journey of innovation

Meet thought leaders from Aequilibrium at the Immerse Global Summit in Miami and learn more about their ideas and forecasts on how technology can change the world with innovation.

Aequilibrium being a progressive organization believes that the key to excellence is knowledge. The thought leaders in Aequilibrium believe that XR has the potential to change the world with immense capabilities in the domain of financial service, retail and commerce, and training across various industries.

Adrian Moise, the Founder and CEO of Aequilibrium, personally nurtures the thought leadership initiative. Aequilibrium has an in-house team to drive this initiative. In preparation for success, the initiative involves reading, learning, and vigorously researching topics focussed on XR, metaverse, digital transformation and strategy, to name a few. 

These articles are rich with information drawn from research and experience and act as road maps for future capabilities. The ideas shared are focused on the past, present, and future of technology and also case studies and possibilities.

The blogs are highly appreciated and applauded and people stay eager to hear from their leaders about new trends and technology. The shared knowledge helps with individual growth, widens perspectives, and is then implemented in the form of work.

Explore our thought leadership articles to gain pace with what's new and innovative across industries!

Visit the Aequilibrium booth (#8) at the Immerse Global Summit in Miami on December 5-7 and chat directly with AEQ-ers to share your perspectives and learn more about their mission, vision, capabilities, and offerings.

Virtual Reality company Virtualware will showcase VIROO at Microsoft Federal stand at I/ITSEC 2022

European virtual reality company Virtualware is collaborating with Microsoft Federal - the U.S. government services arm of Microsoft - to present the state-of-the-art of its military applications.

The development will be showcased at Microsoft Federal's stand (booth #1969) at I/ITSEC 2022, which will take place in Orlando from November 28th to December 2nd.

Collaborating with Microsoft at I/ITSEC, Virtualware will introduce at the world's most effective modelling, simulation, and training conference its advances in the defense and security sectors.

At I/ITSEC 2022, Virtualware will present the virtual reality project developed for the Health School of the Spanish Army (EMISAN), which has been developed using VIROO, its flagship VR enterprise platform.

In the past few years, VIROO has implemented its proprietary technology, patented in the United States, to simulate the challenges of training army units in medical protocols for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear scenarios, enabling teams to assess and improve performance in various areas
such as leadership, teamwork, communication skills, and decision-making proficiency in complex scenarios and extreme stress situations.

The Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) takes place in Florida, and consists of peer-reviewed paper presentations, tutorials, special events, professional workshops, a commercial exhibit hall, a serious games competition, and STEM events.

I/ITSEC is organized by the National Training and Simulation Association (NTSA), which promotes international and interdisciplinary cooperation in modelling and simulation (M&S), training, education, analysis, and related disciplines at this annual meeting.

Virtualware has been a member of the National Center for Simulation since 2020, joining hundreds of industry members in the modelling, simulation, and training (MS&T) community.

" We are excited to launch this revolutionary training application utilising our innovation tool VIROO ® to the world. We are now in a time that we can efficiently create, manage, and deploy multiuser in person free roam 1:1 scale virtual training scenarios that will open up powerful opportunities to scale
across allied partners and build resiliency collaboratively " Michael Rosas, VP General Manager at Virtualware, said.

The VR enterprise platform VIROO is ready for remote and in-person collaborative environments so teams can work smarter, faster, and more in sync than ever before.

It allows clients to quickly adapt advanced VR solutions to suit their specific needs thanks to easier customization, with minimal configuration requirements and no need for expensive installations.

VIROO is currently supporting top industrial organizations and entities worldwide to build rich hybrid ecosystems that accelerate VR adoption across their value chain at scale.

Founded in 2004 by CEO Unai Extremo and CTO Sergio Barrera, Virtualware is considered a European leader in applying immersive technologies for industry.

It has its main office in Bilbao (Spain), a branch office in Toronto, and a network of partners worldwide.

The company's staff of 45 people includes technologists and engineering experts who have implemented more than 500 projects in more than 33 countries.

Among its clients are various Fortune 500 companies and significant firms, including GE Hitachi, Petronas, Iberdrola, Alstom, Guardian Glass, ArcelorMittal, Danone, Johnson & Johnson, Biogen, Bayer, ADIF, and the Spanish Ministry of Defense.

Arcturus Raises $11M to Fuel Volumetric Video Growth, with Support from Cloudtree Ventures, Autodesk and Epic Games

Post originally appearing on businesswire.com

Series A Funding Will Help Introduce New Tools to Autodesk Maya, Unreal Engine and More; Arcturus Expansion Aimed at Making Volumetric Video More Accessible

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Arcturus, the global leader in volumetric video editing and streaming tools, announces a new $11 million round of Series A funding led by Cloudtree Ventures, including investments from Autodesk and Epic Games. The funding is a sign of confidence in the potential of the volumetric video market, which is estimated to reach $21 billion by the end of the decade.

“We see the translation of true human performance as a fundamental building block of spatial experiences, including XR and the metaverse. Our goal is to give everyone from multinational brands to independent creators the tools they need to create authentic digital human representations in the metaverse of their choice,” said Kamal Mistry, CEO of Arcturus. “This year from Q2 to Q3 alone, we’ve seen a 270% increase in the adoption of HoloSuite, as more and more people are making the jump from creator to 3D creator.”

Arcturus will continue to develop its flagship HoloSuite platform to further empower content creators with the ability to edit live-action 3D performances, and stream those files to any screen – including mobile devices and XR platforms. Arcturus will also expand research into new AI tools to help improve the capture of 3D data with fewer cameras, and introduce new dynamic lighting and surfacing options that will improve the quality of volumetric video. In addition, Arcturus remains committed to developing new ways to enhance live streaming concerts on digital platforms, and offer viewers the ability to watch their favorite sports from any angle.

Beyond planned enhancements to HoloSuite, Arcturus will continue to develop new tools and techniques for the top 3D creation tools around the world. When paired with Arcturus’ real-time 3D codec and editing tools, volumetric video can be used to place humans in any virtual world within the Unreal Engine, Autodesk and Unity ecosystems. That introduces the potential to populate virtual and augmented environments with live-action performances for architects working on new designs, game developers building new worlds, virtual production teams filming against LED walls and VFX teams creating digidoubles, to name a few.

“Volumetric video tools such as Arcturus’ HoloSuite give artists a quick way to create photorealistic 3D content for countless industries,” said Diana Colella, SVP, Autodesk Media & Entertainment. “We are thrilled to help Arcturus expand the potential of its existing tools. By accelerating innovation we can help users quickly maximize the potential of using animated 3D video in their work, and deliver the compelling content that the media and entertainment industry demands.”

The new funding will expand existing support, and lead to deeper interoperability between HoloSuite and Autodesk tools. Artists who are used to spending time and resources on the creation of digital humans will have a faster way to populate a scene with live-action performances.

Arcturus also plans to further expand the accessibility and capabilities of volumetric video within Unreal Engine. Arcturus’ Unreal Engine tools enable creators to populate virtual production scenes with live-action talent – captured in 3D and in full movement – to create digital humans for VFX, characters for games and more. Additional tools for Unreal Engine 5 are also in development, joining a custom volumetric video player released earlier this year.

“Arcturus’ tools make it easier for creators to compress, edit and stream volumetric video,” said Alasdair Coull, chief technology officer of special projects for Epic Games. “We’ve seen firsthand how Arcturus’ tools are opening the door to broader utilization of volumetric video and we are proud to partner with Arcturus to continue to accelerate the evolution of the technology.”

Fueled by the demand for augmented reality, 360-degree live broadcasts and the growing need for metaverse content – including personal avatars – volumetric video is expected to see a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of nearly 30% for at least the next five years. Anticipating this trend in video, Arcturus was founded in 2016 by a team of visionary video experts from companies like Pixar, Netflix, Google, Dreamworks, Uber ATG and more, who all saw the shifting video landscape. The Series A funding will help Arcturus grow its infrastructure, beginning with staffing increases in research and development, engineering and sales.

Along with Cloudtree, Epic Games and Autodesk, the recent series A funding includes investments from Susquehanna Private Equity Investments, LLLP and QBN Capital. It follows an initial $5 million seeding round led by BITKRAFT Ventures in 2021. BITKRAFT has announced a second, separate investment in Arcturus, along with NaHCoH3, Craig Kallman and HBSE Ventures.

About Arcturus

Arcturus makes the tools needed for content creators to fully harness the power of volumetric video for multiple industries. Founded in 2016 by some of the leading storytellers and innovators from transformative organizations like Pixar, Netflix, Dreamworks, Autodesk, Google and YouTube, Arcturus was ideally suited to create “HoloSuite,” a SAAS post-production platform, featuring the industry-leading tools for editing, compressing and streaming volumetric video. HoloSuite is available now, and compatible with most major 3D creation tools.

Arcturus is currently consulting with a wide range of customers working to bring volumetric humans to the metaverse, virtual production and more, while also helping broadcast partners introduce new options to help expand live-events.

Contacts

For business inquires:
Arcturus
Piotr Uzarowicz
piotr@arcturus.studio

Taking art direction to the next level with XR

Meet Lilian Loris, an Italian-Brazilian art director who’s worked in Brazil for six years as an art director of Cinema Animation Festivals and music events. She later moved to Italy where she expanded into digital broadcasting through studying video production, UX and motion graphics. Lilian is one of the first members of the new SynergyXR Creators Club. This is her story.

A sit-down conversation with one of our most prolific and zealous members

Since kickstarting the SynergyXR Creators Club only a few months ago, we’ve had the opportunity to meet so many interesting XR creators and enthusiasts from around the globe. Each and every one of them brings something special to the community, but occasionally there’s someone who’s exceptional. For us, that’s Lilian. So, we sat down with her recently to pull back the curtain on her past and shed light on what drives her and where she sees this new technology headed. This is an excerpt from our conversation that’s been edited for brevity.

What inspires you as a creative?

One of the great things about being in the creative industry is how open the whole field is to crossovers. By embracing a process-based approach, you work across many different disciplines in design – some of which you have years of experience in, and others you’re only starting to scratch the surface of.

As an art director, that’s what pushes me to learn and develop new ways of designing. The way I see it, having a basic knowledge of new design tools is key to inspiring creativity.

What sparked your interest in the Metaverse?

When the Metaverse first popped on my radar, it naturally piqued my curiosity. Because of my inclination, learning more about this new creative medium wasn’t just optional, it became vital!

Many creatives have their careers anchored in creating designs and presentations for traditional, flat-screen devices. However, I think we’re moving rapidly from digitalization to virtualization.

We’re now able to create and consume dynamic media in a dimension that we can physically inhabit. Instead of interacting with digital content through finger-swiping or mouse clicks, your whole body is your output. And we’re able to feel present with one another, even when we’re far apart. I find that to be absolutely incredible.

As someone captivated by these possibilities, I expect that the Metaverse will become a way to maintain a high level of connectivity across great distances, allowing us to express our creativity like never before.

What was the challenge you faced?

The gaming industry is particularly advanced in the Metaverse. Game engine platforms such as Unity and Unreal Engine are leaders in this area. If you want to create your own virtual environment, you can just download them and get started for free. So, I thought “Oh great, Lilian, you can now design your own space. Let’s do it.” But it was not as easy as you’d think. You need to learn how to master the software, how to create 3D environments and do everything from scratch. For someone who isn’t a 3D specialist, it can be a tall order, so I went looking for a different solution. That’s when I discovered SynergyXR.

How did SynergyXR help?

SynergyXR provides everything you need to start creating your own virtual spaces, all without 3D or coding skills. You just drag and drop your images, and videos and import 3D models from stock websites straight into your Metaverse. Just like that, you can see in real-time how your space will look! These easy-to-use environment tools mean that creative people can quickly design and iterate on their ideas. As a result, the time it takes to go from an idea to a visual concept has been vastly reduced. Now, it’s so much easier to focus on the creative part and less on the technical stuff.

What struck me is how SynergyXR built the platform. They focus very much on user needs. I mean, the platform is not only built for users, but with users. As a creative, I was especially thrilled about that aspect because I had the opportunity to join the SynergyXR Creators Club community.

I view it as a think tank in which creators can learn from each other and share ideas that help us navigate through challenges in this new technology. The mutual support and exchange of knowledge contribute to a great collaborative environment for everyone involved.

How do you see the Metaverse changing how creative people like you work?

XR is exciting because, in theory, the only limitation to our experience is our imagination. While its imaginative possibilities are endless, the value of an XR experience depends on how well it’s designed.

There are many components that separate good XR experiences from bad ones. I’ve seen spaces that don’t establish where the user is or what they can do, empty art galleries with not even a fly to interact with. When you are in the Metaverse, you expect to interact with the environment in the same way that you do in real life. It’s about immersive experiences.

Creatives should start designing so that a solid sense of presence exists, and a multimodal experience looks, feels, and sounds believable.

I think the Metaverse is a good stage on which to explore our creative potential. The best way to do this, in my opinion, is by sharing our knowledge and ideas. I believe that as a creative, you need to be very generous. Particularly with the ideas that you are going to share, with your time, and your observations. We have both the opportunity to express ourselves and make people’s lives more enjoyable.

Why VR Gloves Could Revolutionize Healthcare

Virtual reality is becoming an increasingly popular tool in many different industries. However, the healthcare sector has yet to explore its uses fully. Despite this, several potential applications for VR in healthcare could revolutionise the way training and treatments are delivered.

In a study of the applications of virtual reality technology for medical teaching, researchers saw higher accuracy in medical practice from peopletrained through VR in 87% of cases. This article discusses VR gloves and explores how they could improve healthcare outcomes and revolutionise the industry

An Overview of the Technology

VR gloves, such as the SenseGlove Nova, are wearable devices that allow the wearer to interact with simulated environments in a natural way, using hands instead of controllers. Force feedback technology can replicate the feeling of an object’s density and size by applying resistance through magnetic fiction brakes built into the glove.

The 20 Newtons of resistance within 10 ms of the SenseGlove Nova make size and density in virtual reality feel as close to real life as possible. This makes SenseGlove Nova ideal for VR training, including clinical simulation.

On the other hand, vibrotactile feedback uses vibrations to create realistic sensations in virtual reality experiences. By providing a physical response when a user touches an object, it can help them to feel an interaction cue and impacts from the object.

Advances in Medical Training

Virtual reality technology is a relatively new method for training professionals and students of various medical sciences. However, it proves to be promising. VR gloves empower students and learners to better connect to the tactile feeling of their clinical simulation.

Haptic gloves are highly useful for medical training. VR gloves can help students get used to the size and feel of different tools, medical equipment, and even organs. As a result, students who use VR gloves will be better prepared to handle the challenges of real-life medical situations.

Studies have shown that using VR gloves in medical training can improve learning outcomes, such as task performance and knowledge retention. By providing a more immersive experience, clinicians can better understand patients’ conditions and perspectives.

VR gloves are thus a valuable tool that can help to improve medical training and prepare healthcare professionals for real-world clinical and hospital settings.

Patient Recovery and Rehabilitation

VR gloves have also been shown to be an effective tool in the rehabilitation and recovery of patients with various conditions. They allow patients to interact with virtual environments naturally and intuitively, providing them with a sense of control and agency during their rehabilitation.

There is a growing body of research that suggests VR gloves can be effective in helping patients to recover from stroke, spinal cord injury, and other neurological conditions. In many cases, researchers found using VR gloves improved patients’ functional ability and quality of life and reduced their hospital stay.

In the article by Medical Delta, for example, VR gloves like SenseGlove are full of pressure points that patients find helpful when performing hand rehabilitation exercises. People who are recovering from hand trauma will require a lot of practice until they can fully recover and use their actual hands again. VR gloves allow them to perform tasks and pursue therapeutic exercises.

Haptic Force-Feedback for Rehabilitation

VR gloves help facilitate the rehabilitation of patients who are recovering from brain damage. The patients of Rijndam rehabilitation centre have tried using SenseGlove to practice movements essential to their recovery. For example, the patients were able to feel the difference between an egg and a sugar cube, or the softness of a sponge and the solidness of a teacup.

By undergoing therapy and exercising in VR, patients can ease themselves into day-to-day tasks even without the permanent supervision of a therapist.

SenseGlove also partnered with District XR to accelerate the recovery of patients from physical injuries. Using VR and haptic gloves, the goal was to speed up the recovery process and restore motor function of the hands. Haptic gloves provide the right level of accuracy and speed of device tracking in virtual reality because of advanced sensors on the fingers. This allows the patient to interact with the smallest objects and fully immerses them in the experience.

Raising Awareness and Building Empathy

SenseGlove, in partnership with Procter & Gamble, created a simulation where people who do not suffer from nerve damage can momentarily experience the symptoms associated with the condition. The SenseGlove Nova mimics nerve damage symptoms so that general practitioners can diagnose them earlier during their medical practice.

The goal was to raise awareness about nerve damage and gain sympathy and support from general practitioners and healthy people. It was also an effective and innovative way to market the Procter & Gamble brand.

Request a VR Haptic Kit

At SenseGlove, we are dedicated to making scalable haptic VR training the new norm—especially for the healthcare field. VR gloves could revolutionise how students are trained and how medical services are delivered.

There is evidence that VR gloves can be helpful in both training and rehabilitation settings. It will be interesting to see how this technology develops over time and whether it has become more widely adopted.

Learn how VR gloves could further benefit your company or organisation. Contact us today to request a VR haptic kit and to become part of our growing list of clients.

A Guide to VR Gloves

Post originally appearing on senseglove.com.

Not too long ago, virtual reality seemed like a far fetch idea. However, computer-generated experiences within a simulated environment are becoming even more possible and accessible through the years.

Due to the rising popularity of VR’s B2B applications,enterprise companies are investing and implementing this cutting-edge technology in many different ways.

In a study by the International Data Corporation (IDC), different companies and consumers will increase expenses on AR and VR by 80%.
Sales of VR and AR hardware are expected to proliferate in the market.

Here at SenseGlove, we strive to be one of the leading tech developers in the era of virtual reality by offering the SenseGlove Nova, a haptic VR glove unlike any other. Before diving into our product, we’ll share some insights about VR gloves and how they function.

What Are VR Gloves? 

VR gloves are a type of wearable technology designed to immerse the user in a VR experience by making the experience more natural and realistic. The gloves are fitted with haptic technology that allows the user to interact with virtual objects in various ways. They include:

• Hand tracking feedback: Allows users to see hand movements and gestures in virtual space.

• Vibrotactile feedback: Provides a range of sensations, from light touch to rough textures.

• Force feedback: Allows users to feel the size and density of virtual objects

• Contact feedback: Allows users to feel the shape of virtual objects and surfaces.

• Temperature feedback: Allows users to feel the temperature of virtual objects.

How Do They Work?

Haptic technology works differently based on the type of application. For example, force feedback can emulate the feeling of object density and size by applying resistance through different magnetic friction brakes built into the VR glove. Brakes on some VR gloves can deliver up to 20N of force (equal to a 2 kg brick weight on each finger). That kind of resistance allows it to offer unparalleled force feedback.

Meanwhile, vibrotactile feedback enables VR gloves like SenseGlove Nova to render the feeling of impact simulations and realistic button clicks. That is achieved by embedding vibrotactile actuators on both the index finger and thumb while the voice coil actuator is located in the glove’s hub. Vibrotactile feedback is a vital component of VR training and other experiences that require using tools and dashboards since it provides users with realistic sensations allowing them to feel cues, impacts and vibrations.

Products like the SenseGlove Nova utilise this unique combination of force and vibrotactile feedback to create a user-friendly flexible glove that enhances VR training simulations.

Big Things Come in Small Packages

A VR glove must be powerful and have low latency or time delay. This means that the user must be able to move and feel sensations at the most optimal level the very second they interact with the object in the simulation. The glove must also be lightweight and compact.

SenseGlove Nova offers the maximum range of motion and sense of touch. It can also be worn in five seconds and adjusted to three sizes to best fit the user’s hand. 

Our device promises ease of use and realistic interactions, allowing us to feel the virtual like it’s real. The SenseGlove Nova also works wirelessly and is highly compatible with standalone headsets. This provides freedom of movement and increases the realism of the VR experience.

What Are VR Gloves Used For?

VR gloves are used in corporate, research, and software development. They are highly beneficial for simulated training in the automotive industries, manufacturing, and mining. Workers can immerse themselves in real-life, high-risk scenarios without exposing themselves to danger.

Below are other real-world applications of VR gloves:

• Assembly Training

• Healthcare training

• Safety and law enforcement training

• Marketing

• Aviation training

• 3D modelling

Request a VR Haptics Kit

At SenseGlove, we take virtual reality to new heights. Our device has been applied and approved by 500 corporations, revolutionising virtual reality training, digital prototyping, research and telerobotics, and marketing.

Contact us to inquire about our special pilot programs and development packages today.

Agora teams up with HTC and Magic Leap to Provide Immersive Metaverse Experiences to Enterprises

The metaverse holds a promising future as the next evolution of the internet. It is poised to disrupt many industries, sectors, and verticals. But what is the metaverse, and how does Agora fit into it? In broad terms, it is a virtual shared sense of space that connects people, work, play, and any form of interactivity around us - transcending our imagination, physical presence, and state of being into immersive experiences. 

For the metaverse to be immersive, it requires a combination of hardware, software, Extended Reality (XR), and other technologies. Agora is at the forefront of providing scalable developer-friendly, easy-to-embed SDKs for creating web or mobile applications across devices, frameworks, platforms, and tools. As a partner to many top players in the AR/VR space, we are uniquely positioned in delivering interoperability for customizable, highly flexible, reliable low latency coverage and scalability to build into an existing or new stack of technologies.

Agora’s Metaverse solutions and services provide users with the building blocks to add real-time engagement to virtual worlds at any scale—from gaming to enterprise, education to the future of work, and much more. The potential of the metaverse can translate into many emerging use cases and have a positive impact in the coming years. Our partnership with HTC delivers cutting-edge technologies to enterprises, developers, and end-users everywhere, with seamless collaboration between users in the physical and virtual worlds. 

Powered by the Agora Interactive Live Streaming SDK, VIVE Sync enables all users to collaborate and enjoy the same immersive experiences in a shared virtual reality environment on any device, with or without a headset. Imagine a distributed environment where colleagues, students, or friends cannot be in the same physical space yet can collaborate and interact on a product launch, school assignment, or enjoy a music concert without leaving the comfort of their locations. The power of VR technology allows you to interact, present, walk and gain perspective from everyone.

Magic Leap 2 (ML2) headset combined with Agora’s real-time engagement (RTE) technology demonstrates advancements in Augmented Reality (AR) in education, industrial Internet of Things (IIOT), telehealth, and more. Multiple interactions in the metaverse illustrate the expanse of varied modalities that make for an inclusive experience. For instance, in the industrial, medical, or education sectors, onsite workers can collaborate remotely with peers in offsite locations while a supervisor or onlooker watches as they complete a task. 

Agora will showcase the power of real-time engagement and XR innovations along with HTC and Magic Leap at the Immerse Global Summit in Miami on December 5-7. Agora's Director of Metaverse - Social and Gaming, Vanessa Mullin, will also moderate a panel discussion on the Future of Hardware and Headsets with leaders from HTC, Qualcomm, Lenovo, and Magic Leap on December 5 from 4:55 PM-5:25 PM EST. We invite you to join us live on the main stage, or virtually, as we discuss the business drivers, challenges, trends, and use cases in building the future of the metaverse.

If you’re interested in entering the metaverse, stop by the Agora booth #122 to meet our team of experts, experience our demos, get swag, and discuss all the excitement about these emerging technologies. See you there!

Miami to Welcome the XR Tech Leaders at Immerse Global Summit this December

Palo Alto, CA, November 10, 2022 - The VR/AR Association (VRARA) announced Immerse Global Summit, taking place at Fontainebleau Miami Beach on December 5-7, 2022, and featuring keynote speakers and sponsors from Meta, AT&T, Magic Leap, Amazon, Lenovo, Unity, Sony and will include speakers from companies like Walmart and General Motors.

The VR/AR Association is proud to bring Immerse Global Summit to Fontainebleau Miami Beach. Immerse Global Summit is expected to draw over 1,000 attendees for the conference which will feature over 200 thought-leaders in the XR, metaverse, blockchain, and connectivity ecosystem, including those from AT&T, Meta, Lenovo, Qualcomm, Magic Leap, Sony, Unity Technologies, Amazon, Walmart, General Motors, University of Miami, Agora, and emerging companies Rooom, Immersal, Emteq Labs, Aequilibrium, AMPD, Leia Inc., Departure Lounge and many more.

Immersive technologies are proving to be an ever-important part of nearly every company’s digital strategy, from training the workforce in virtual reality to augmented reality entertainment, gaming, and advertising, and putting more demands on mobile networks and the importance of connected devices.

The Immerse Global Summit will feature dynamic keynotes, industry tracks, demos, exhibits, networking, and amazing VIP events. It will showcase the best that the industry has to offer.

“IGS Madeira was a magical event in every way. The top visionaries, the smartest innovators, the most soulful creators — all generously showing up for 4 straight days in one of the most beautiful locations I've ever seen. Loads of appreciation for the organizers — they've created something truly special and I can't wait for their next event in Miami!” -Neil Redding, Founder & CEO, Redding Futures

“We are thrilled to welcome AT&T to the keynote stage at Immerse Global Summit in Miami. The importance of high-speed and reliable data transfer connectivity has never been more important than what we’re seeing in the new digital ecosystem of industries in the metaverse, blockchain, web3, virtual and augmented reality, digital fashion, digital humans, enterprise, and more.”-Nathan Pettyjohn, Founder & President of the VR/AR Association

“Business leaders across every vertical should attend this event and learn how immersive technologies are transforming their business. Many of the world’s most respected companies and thought leaders will be at Immerse Global Summit, in a setting curated to deliver inspiration, and allow attendees to network with game-changing business connections.”-Kris Kolo, Global Executive Director of the VR/AR Association

Tickets are now on sale for the event.

About The VR/AR Association:

Owned and produced by The VR/AR Association (VRARA), Immerse Global Summit is one of the most innovative technology conference series in the world, and has hosted over 70,000 attendees over the past two years at its virtual events and in-person conferences in Europe and North America, with a commitment to facilitating innovation and creativity through a cross-pollination of enterprise and consumer technology showcases combined with business growth strategy. The conferences bring together a mix of the most talented business leaders, developers, creative designers, and product managers from around the world.

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

Contact Information:

Nathan Pettyjohn
President, Immerse Global Summit and VR/AR Association (VRARA)
nathan@thevrara.com

Kris Kolo
Global Executive Director, VR/AR Association (VRARA)
kris@thevrara.com

Aequilibrium’s insights on Extended Reality (XR)

Meet AEQers from Aequilibrium at our Immerse Global Summit in Miami Beach on Dec 5-7 and discover their journey into the world of Extended Reality.

Why settle for boring meetings and video conferencing, when you can get immersed in personalized virtual experiences with Aequilibrium?

The in-house dedicated XR professionals at Aequilibrium are equipped to build customized virtual experiences for clients. They can create an entire virtual world and instantly bring together people from across locations in the same collaborative platform for discussions. They also enable VR training for new members to practice in a risk-free environment and believe that with XR, the possibilities are endless.

Clients at Aequilibrium enjoy tailored-to-fit solutions as per their requirements. The global pandemic saw the rise of remote working, and Aequlibrium not only provided clients with options for seamless digital transformation and cloud migration but also offered collaborative platforms for people to work together with ease.

Aequilibrium being a progressive organization believes that the golden key to the metaverse is XR. The current market for XR is growing faster than imagination and shifting to the digital world is the norm of the era. The thought leaders in Aequilibrium believe that XR has the potential to change the world with immense capabilities in the domain of financial service, retail and commerce, and training across various industries.

Discover more about Extended Reality through Aequilibrium’s thought leadership blogs

Visit the Aequilibrium booth (#8) at the Immerse Global Summit in Miami on December 5-7 and chat directly with AEQ-ers to share your perspectives and learn more about their mission, vision, capabilities, and offerings.