In his weekly video 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. Watch his interview below with Michael Peeler of Mass Virtual and President of the VR/AR Association (VRARA) Washington DC Chapter as they discuss the question, “Have we reached the Tipping Point for XR?"
VRARA Bytes Podcast: Dan McConnell/Booz Allen Hamilton
In his weekly video 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. Watch his interview below with Dan McConnell, Chief Technologist at BAH and President of the VR/AR Association (VRARA) Washington DC Chapter as they discuss the question, “Have we reached the Tipping Point for XR?"
Watch the entire series here, and subscribe to receive the weekly podcast!
VRARA Bytes Podcast: Adam Isley/Artemis Immersive
In his weekly video 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. Watch his interview below with Adam Isley, Founder and CEO of Artemis Immersive as they discuss the question, “Have we reached the Tipping Point for XR?"
Watch the entire series here, and subscribe to receive the weekly podcast!
VRARA Bytes Podcast: Brian Hamilton/Digilens
In his weekly video 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. Watch his interview below with Brian Hamilton, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Digilens as they discuss the question, “Have we reached the Tipping Point for XR?"
Watch the entire series here, and subscribe to receive the weekly podcast!
VRARA Bytes Podcast: Vishal Shah/Lenovo
In his weekly video 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. Watch his interview below with Vishal Shah, GM of XR and Metaverse at Lenovo as they discuss the question, “Have we reached the Tipping Point for XR?"
Watch the entire series here, and subscribe to receive the weekly podcast!
VRARA Member Mass Virtual named an Inc. 5000 company
ORLANDO, Fla. November 1, 2023 -- Inc. Magazine recognized Mass Virtual as an Inc. 5000 company for 2023. The Inc. 5000 list includes the fastest-growing private companies in the country. Industries recognize placement on Inc.’s list as acknowledgement of American companies that are among the most successful firms in the independent small business segment of our economy.
“This is an awesome milestone, and I’m incredibly proud of the hard work our team has done to receive this honor,” said John Brooks, Mass Virtual founder and CEO. “Developing the training that improves our warfighters’ edge to meet near-peer challenges is a serious business, and this recognition shows that we’re serious contenders in the modeling, simulation and training space. I look forward to continued growth to stay on this list in the future.”
Inclusion on the Inc. 5000 list for 2023 was determined by a company’s three-year growth from 2019 to 2022. Mass Virtual’s incredible 498% growth over that time placed it in the top 25% of the list.
In addition to its place on the Inc. 5000 list, Mass Virtual was also honored in June as one of Orlando Business Journal’s “Best Places to Work.” The OBJ’s award recognizes Central Florida businesses that provide enjoyable and meaningful work environments for employees. “Recognized continued growth while remaining one of the community’s best places to work is no accident,” said Mike Peeler, Mass Virtual’s Director of Communications. “This entire team is dedicated to delivering the best training solutions to our customers; we are proud of what we do and who we are.”
About Mass Virtual: As a leader in the extended reality community for more than a decade, Mass Virtual is redefining XR learning with true-to-life virtual experiences through its efficient, safe, and effective memorable XR solutions. Virtual Hangar™, designed and developed by Mass Virtual in partnership with the U.S. Air Force, is the Air Force’s enterprise training program used at more than 83 joint force locations worldwide that includes an ever-expanding collection of 40 aircraft and ground vehicle platforms.
VRARA Bytes Podcast: Amy Peck/EndeavorVR
In his weekly video 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. Watch his interview below with VRARA member Amy Peck, Founder and CEO of Endeavor XR as they discuss the question "have we reached the Tipping Point for XR".
Watch the entire series here, and subscribe to receive the weekly podcast!
A Square Games and Talon Simulations complete project for U.S. Marine Corps
ORLANDO, Fla. – Development studios have completed a project for the U.S. Marine Corps to create a virtual reality-based training solution for the USMC’s Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV).
The team of contractors led by VR Training, a Maryland company, joined forces with several Orlando firms – 302 Interactive, Theory Studios, A Square Games and Simulation, and Talon Simulations to deliver both hardware and software that made up the Wave Warrior Driver Training System (DTS).
The driver training system’s portable VR solution, aptly named Wave Warrior, is training the next generation of U.S. Marines using emerging technology, meeting the soldiers where they are comfortable: in a technology-driven environment that has the familiarity of the games that this generation of soldiers are accustomed to.
“Video games have evolved over the years and are now fundamental to the way we entertain, socialize, and learn” said Austin Pinzon, A Square Games and Simulations’ Chief Operating Officer. “Using gaming technologies, we can improve users’ concentration and retention by providing an engaging experience.”
“When you consider the age of recruits both today and throughout history, it has always been our youngest adults that make up the majority of our Warfighter’s personnel,” followed Bobby Torres, 302 Interactive’s Chief Relationship Officer. “Today, that means a generation of soldiers who have been immersed in video games and virtual reality since they were in early education. Many were given a headset early on and are now so comfortable with the devices that they prefer to learn there. That is why we, as a team, pitched the solution to the Corps.”
The project was enabled through the military’s Other Transaction Authority (OTA), a vehicle that has become more commonly adopted to allow the military the flexibility to work quickly and in a more agile way to protect the Warfighter.
“The foresight the military had by loosening restrictions in recent years of the OTA path to finding partners has been a real boost for small businesses looking to partner,” Torres said. “As a small business, it enabled us to find a team with the talent to build these solutions and bring them all together to expedite the project.”
Team members are showing off the Wave Warrior project in Orlando at the end of the month as a part of the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference at the Orange County Convention Center.
I/ITSEC brings together military leaders and private industry suppliers for a weeklong discussion on the future of the military and its training operations. The team that developed Wave Warrior are exhibiting at I/ITSEC and can be found at booth 3301. Closed door demonstrations may be available upon request at www.wavewarrior.training.
ABOUT 302 INTERACTIVE
Founded in 2014, 302 Interactive is an Orlando-based digital media company that brings together interactive design and emerging technologies to help people live playful lives. Their approach applies the principles of game design throughout the product development cycle to create experiences and solutions across areas in wellness, education, healthcare, marketing, and entertainment.
ABOUT A SQUARE GAMES AND SIMULATION
Based in Orlando, A Square creates immersive game and simulation experiences for entertainment and training. Using their experience with cutting-edge technology, their mission is to solve problems through technical solutions that don’t simply meet the needs but anticipate them. Their past works include first responder training, social augmented reality experiences, attraction design, and Metaverse products.
Press inquiries:
Robert “Bobby” Torres
(407)900-5967
bobby@302interactive.com
VRARA Bytes Podcast: Magic Leap
In his weekly video 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. Watch his interview below with VRARA member Dano Debroux ,Senior Director of Public Sector of Magic Leap.
Watch the entire series here, and subscribe to receive the weekly podcast!
VRARA Member ECS Presenting at I/ITSEC 2023
ECS invites you to visit them at I/ITSEC at Booth #1113 in Orlando, FL from November 27th-30th to see their latest portfolio of training solutions and innovative technology.
This year their showcase of solutions will cover a breadth of training subject matters ranging from aviation, maintenance, logistics, medical, and soft skills. Our training capabilities and portfolio of solutions are well suited for military, first responder, and industry use cases.
Have We Reached the Tipping Point for VR? {VRARA Bytes Podcast}
In his weekly video 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. Watch his interviews below with Kris Kolo, our Global Executive Director, and Nathan Pettyjohn, Founder & President of VRARA.
Watch the entire series here, and subscribe to receive the weekly podcast!
What community leaders say about MetaCenter Global Week
Written by Marco Santana on orlandotechnews.com.
Amy Beaird has a duty to build community in Central Florida’s technology sector. So she said she expects MetaCenter Global Week in mid-October to be a catalyst for just that.
“We are bringing together and showcasing what is in the region,” said Beaird, Florida High Tech Corridor’s chief strategy officer. “There is an emphasis and energy to really engage corporate companies more with startups. We are starting to see momentum and I hope we see more of that.”
To foster an environment where that happens, she said, means to get all tech sectors to push toward the same goal.
“Growth comes from cross-cluster collaboration,” she said. “So many companies and industries have their own way of working and developing innovative solutions but then you apply innovation from energy, modeling and simulation or start applying VR tech into life sciences, that’s where a lot of really rapid innovation and creativity can come out.”
Beaird is just the latest community leader to share their thoughts about how MetaCenter Global Week will benefit the city of Orlando.
As the event approaches quickly – it kicks off on Oct. 17 – we thought we’d round up all of the comments we have heard in the leadup to the week.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer:
“We have a thriving tech ecosystem here with both big companies and small ones but I don’t know that the world is necessarily aware of it.”
“It gives our companies and entities the opportunity to meet with people they might eventually collaborate with, perhaps. It lets the outside world know about the educational and various industries and how well we have parlayed our industry clusters.”
Blue Wave Resource Partners, CEO and Innovate Orlando board member Charlie Lewis:
“It’s bringing in an element of global attention to our city. But to do that, you need buy-in from the city and county so we can execute and show the highlights as they want them to be shown.”
Simone Babb, chief innovation and emerging technologies officer, Orange County
“I value the synergistic energy and passion in our community around technology. Together, we can shape the direction and footprint toward being a recognized and respected tech and innovation hub.”
Orlando entrepreneur Angela Alban, CEO, Simetri
“We have continued to evolve and that growth justified revising our message. That eventually improved our ability to attract talent and notoriety across the globe as a high-tech region.”
“We’ve made it. We are delivering on what was promised.”
Tim Hill, director of Central Florida operations, Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation
“This notion of coalescing all of these factions is a really big thing. When you start to get a central branding campaign, that’s a big deal.”
Kris Kolo, global executive director, VRAR Association
“Our members from Orlando deserve this. Orlando has already proven itself to be the metacenter for spatial computing and the opening of the Metacenter, and this event will showcase Orlando and Central Florida talent and innovations to the world.”
“INNOVATE ORLANDO PROVIDES CONTEXT TO CITY’S TECH NARRATIVE”
“INNOVATE ORLANDO’S TENX TECH ADDS ‘BIG BUMP’ TO ATTENDEES’ REACH”
“CEO: METACENTER GLOBAL WEEK A SIGN ‘WE’VE MADE IT’”
How Does Orlando Compare to Other National Tech Hubs?
From tourism to lifestyle, Orlando is a destination for millions around the globe to travel each year and experience our world class entertainment to thousands moving here weekly to make this amazing metro area their home.
Next month, a significant event will be held here for the first time, bringing local businesses together with mega global brands, such as Meta, Amazon, and more.
What’s bringing them here? Immersive technology.
Kyle Morrand is the CEO of the gaming technology company, 302 Interactive.
Growing up in Miami, Kyle found his way to Orlando when he chose to attend UCF. After experiencing life in Orlando, he chose to stay.
Kyle and his team at 302 Interactive are getting ready for MetaCenter Global Week, a 3 day event that puts Orlando front and center with immersive technology brands from all over.
We met up with Kyle at Creative Village in downtown to have a conversation about the event, his thoughts on the future of immersive technology and what separates Orlando in comparison to other national tech hubs.
For the full interview click here
source: The Orlando Life
Orlando Mayor Dyer: Metacenter Global Week to showcase Orlando to the world
Originally appearing on orlandonews.com by Marco Santana.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer has watched the city’s economy undergo multiple transformations since his first election in 2003.
Sometimes, it’s a matter of necessity.
As the coronavirus battered Orlando’s tourism industry the previous three years, he turned his attention to economic diversification.
At the same time, he noticed the tech industry thriving, even as COVID-19 completely hamstrung the city’s 500-plus hotels.
So, among other things, he leaned into the Orlando tech industry.
He famously held his 2022 State of Downtown address in virtual reality in December.
Then, in May, he threw his support in early to announceMetaCenter Global Week during his annual State of the City.
As that weeklong celebration and showcase of Orlando’s tech community approaches – as the major tech event in Orlando next month – Orlando Tech News caught up with him to get his thoughts on the industry and the upcoming event.
What is it about MetaCenter Global Week that has you excited?
It’s a great opportunity to raise the profile of Orlando’s reputation as a tech community. We have a thriving tech ecosystem here with both big companies and small ones but I don’t know that the world is necessarily aware of it. The whole notion of the MetaCenter (Global Week is) having all the people come to Orlando and expose them to what we have to offer.
What could it mean to Orlando’s tech community?
It gives our companies and entities the opportunity to meet with people they might eventually collaborate with, perhaps. It lets the outside world know about the educational and various industries and how well we have parlayed our industry clusters. These include military, simulation and training, Creative Village, Lake Nona and some of these tech-focused businesses at incubators like Starter Studio.
Can you talk about the significance of Innovate Orlando becoming its own thing recently?
The whole notion of having an entity like Innovate Orlando break out of the Orlando Economic Partnership and stand on its own is certainly significant in terms of demonstrating where we stand as a tech community. We have gained notoriety around the country in terms of what we have to offer here. That’s continuing to get exposure by having a week focused on Orlando’s innovation and tech offerings.
The industry we are known for is actually one of the original tech industries.
If you think about this in terms of our tourism industry, some of the high-tech aspects of the theme parks absolutely go hand-in-hand. These are some of the forebearers of these technology innovations. Modeling, simulation and training and the live experiences offered at theme parks go hand-in-hand in terms of the type of people that would have that expertise and it’s transferable between industries.
Global Week is a combo of offerings. What could the future of the event bring?
Combining Synapse and the Immerse Global Summit into one week was a big deal. What we need to do is look around us. I think this will grow. It might be reminiscent of South by Southwest, which didn’t really know what they would become in the early days. I am hoping in 2043 we can say, ‘Gosh, remember what this was like in 2023?’
Can you talk a little more about Innovate Orlando’s presence now?
I think it’s a big deal that it happened. It’s not unlike the fact that Visit Orlando was once a part of the chamber a long time ago and then came out to stand on its own. In some sense, this is a similar move. It’s cool to see. Visit Orlando was there to help a growing economy and has since become a huge part of our economy. I believe Innovate Orlando could serve that same purpose.
How big was it that Orlando had a thriving tech community during the pandemic while COVID hammered tourism?
The growth in our tech community continued during the pandemic as if it weren’t a pandemic. We always talk about diversifying the economy and having a segment that can continue to grow and thrive while other pieces are impacted. Having that is important to the overall health of the community.
Why we picked Orlando for our Immerse Global Summit 2023
Our Immerse Global Summit 2023 (IGS 2023) will happen in Orlando, Oct 17-19.
Why we picked Orlando and why you NEED to be there:
VRARA Orlando Chapter is our top Chapter globally
Leading region in the U.S. for building the foundation of the Metaverse with its MetaCenter
Existing huge simulation & training industry ($6 Billion!) with U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine, Lockheed Martin, Siemens, CAE, many others
Largest concentration of VR/AR faculty and researchers from all U.S. universities (and UCF's Game Design Program Ranked No. 1 in the World and EA Sports Orlando office)
No. 1 Fastest-growing City for Entrepreneurs
Rising Star” City of Tech Employment and Job Growth
Talent rich, with 550,000+ higher education students within 100 miles
Other top industries include:
(1) Healthcare: CVS, AdventHealth;
(2) Tourism, Entertainment, Hospitality: Disney, Universal, Sea World). Orlando is leading the U.S. in tourism (60M visitors every year with a $31B economic contribution);
(3) Aviation and Aerospace: US Air Force, JetBlue, United Airlines
(4) Insurance industry: Liberty Mutual, AAA, etc
(5) IT and photonics
And, Florida is home to the second-largest medical device manufacturing industry in the U.S., second-largest pharmaceuticals manufacturing industry and the fifth-largest biotech R&D industry.
The climate and weather, and so much to do! We will have so much fun!
Register, apply to speak/sponsor at IGS 2023 Orlando, here
Read more:
Orlando Mayor opens 2,500 metaverse jobs aimed at reinforcing Orlando as the MetaCenter
Fueling Orlando Tech Innovation with Digital Twins
Orlando Sets Out to Cement Itself as the Center of the Metaverse
Fueling Orlando Tech Innovation with Digital Twins
Learn more at our Immerse Global Summit in Orlando in Oct!
The CEO and President of Orlando Economic Partnership, Tim Giuliani, talks about the OEP/Unity partnership to develop the Orlando digital twin:
OEP’s roadmap, from first establishing a digital twin of the region to potentially using its real-time data to tackle city-wide issues/challenges
What integrated tech is fueling the project?
Closing thoughts on the Metaverse
Full Sail Brings Tech Leaders Together for Central Florida Immersive Tech Summit
Full Sail University recently hosted the Central Florida Immersive Technology Summit, a collaborative conference featuring more than 100 speakers from some of the top tech companies in the Central Florida area.
The summit kicked off with a Women’s Breakfast, where high-achieving women in tech could network while enjoying coffee and refreshments. Several women took turns speaking to the group about the importance of leading and representing the next generation of female tech professionals.
“I don’t want to be a typical nurse. I don’t want to be a typical anything,” said Colonel Cheryl Lockhart as she told her story about making waves in the Air Force. “About a year and a half ago, we were able to bring in the Air Force’s first medical treatment facility [virtual reality] program.”
“Bringing women together and having this alliance between all these different women who are working in different industries in the technology space is very important for us,” shared Full Sail’s Education Director of Emerging Technologies Dr. Haifa Maamar.
Students and industry professionals also attended a Unity Developer Workshop. Several company heads, including Brady Moore, Cesium's Director of Mission Support, walked participants through best practices using Unity software. Their talks featured demos, insights into their decision-making, and opportunities to get hands-on with Unity.
“What's really important about the Unity workshop is that there is a ton of opportunity for anyone to access Unity, learn it, and then take their ideas to the next level. One of the biggest things that Unity is all about is democratizing development,” explained Full Sail graduate Caris Baker, a Senior Technical Artist with Unity Technologies and one of this year’s inductees into the Full Sail University Hall of Fame.
There were several opportunities to play with companies’ gear and technology at the summit.
Throughout the day, summit attendees could sit in on 30-minute talks held around campus. Speakers included John Cunningham, Head of Government and Aerospace at Unity, Carol Ann Logue, Director of Programs and Operations at the University of Central Florida, and Kevin Carpenter, General Manager at Siemens Energy.
“[The summit] is taking the people who are developing a lot of this technology and putting them in a room with people who are going to use it,” said Full Sail’s Education Director for Visual Arts Rick Ramsey. “It's exciting that people who provide technology are here at a school where we teach technology to the next generation that's going to be out there.”
Students could also attend the large career fair located in the Full Sail Live venue, which was held in partnership with the VR/AR Association of Central Florida. Several tech companies, including Magic Leap Inc., X-Force, and AVT Simulation, set up booths and welcomed students to come chat throughout the afternoon.
“Today’s in-person career fair is an opportunity to get to network and meet these employers who are looking to cultivate talent [in the Central Florida region]. Students couldn’t ask for a better situation to get started,” shared Full Sail’s Associate Director of Career Development Brad McDonald.
The Central Florida Immersive Technology Summit came to a close in the evening with an outdoor networking reception. Industry professionals and students gathered to socialize, exchange ideas, and celebrate a successful summit.
Tim Hill of Intuitive Research and Technology joins the Board of Advisors of the VRARA Central Florida Chapter
The VRARA is excited to announce that Tim Hill is joining the Board of Advisors of the VR/AR Association (VRARA) Central Florida Chapter. Tim is currently the Director of Central Florida Operations for Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation (INTUITIVE), a defense aerospace company specializing in providing engineering services and building teams to solve hard problems.
Tim is a former Navy Captain, who retired from the Navy in 2021 after completing a successful tour commanding Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWCTSD) and Naval Support Activity Orlando. His tour was the culmination of nearly 30 years of naval service, split between flying operationally and in developmental test, and managing large weapons systems acquisition programs. He accumulated over 3,200 flight hours and 600 carrier arrested landings, deployed aboard four different aircraft carriers, and participated in operations in the Former Yugoslavia, Iraq, and Afghanistan. In Central Florida, Tim has led many strategic initiatives, including establishing the Central Florida Tech Grove and STARBASE Central Florida.
Tim is extremely passionate about applying leading edge technology and actively serves throughout our community to foster an ecosystem of innovation. He is active with groups such as the National Center for Simulation, National Training and Simulation Association, Orlando Tech Community, and the Central Florida Navy League.
“The VRARA Association is an organization focused on education, networking and creating business opportunities for our members. Tim has been a member of the Central Florida ecosystem for many years both while in the Navy and now as a business leader. I am pleased to welcome Tim to the VRARA Central Florida Advisory Board where he can help shape the direction of the Association and ensure that we continue to meet the needs of our membership and our ecosystem!” John Cunningham, President VRARA Central Florida Chapter.
