VRARA Member HyperTunnel Signs Contract with Air Force and More

Guest Post from Eduardo Neeter, CEO of VRARA Member HyperTunnel:

From the very beginning, HyperTunnel's overarching goal has been to enable practical applications of Mixed Reality technologies, deeply integrating them into the most impactful domains of our society. We believe there is no better way to achieve this than by supporting the remarkable individuals who protect our way of life and secure our freedom. Our mission is to enhance their work, increase their effectiveness, and help address the challenges they face.

I am thrilled to announce that this vision is becoming a reality through several significant milestones:

1. Contract with the US Air Force: We are proud to announce that we have signed a contract with the US Air Force Rapid Sustainment Office (RSO). This contract, structured as a Sequential SBIR Phase II, provides non-dilutive funding of $1.5 million to further develop HyperTunnel. The primary objectives of this contract are to:
    * Provide remote support capabilities for aircraft maintenance.
    * Reduce aircraft downtime due to the unavailability of subject matter experts (SMEs).
    * Address the Air Force's challenge of a low-tenured workforce by connecting geographically dispersed SMEs with maintainers.

2. Enrollment in the Georgia Tech ATDC Accelerate Program: As a Georgia Tech graduate, I am particularly excited to announce our acceptance into the Accelerate program at the Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC). ATDC is one of the longest-running and most successful university-affiliated incubators in the United States. It offers a wealth of resources to tech startups, including mentorship, access to funding opportunities, business development assistance, and workspace. ATDC's support will help us forge strategic partnerships, acquire customers, and explore new funding opportunities.

3. Launch of HyperTunnel for Apple Vision Pro: We are also celebrating the launch of our app as a fully immersive application in the Apple Vision Pro appstore. Our app has received a 5-star rating, with reviews praising its innovative use of Virtual Reality to enhance employee training and knowledge retention. One review described it as a "fantastic app that utilizes the capabilities of Virtual Reality in a creative and resourceful way. The idea is brilliant, and the app is very easy to use!"

These achievements mark significant progress toward our mission of integrating Mixed Reality into essential areas of society. We are deeply grateful for your continued support and belief in our vision. Together, we are making remarkable strides in transforming how technology can support and enhance critical sectors.

AWE USA: Three Exclusives for VRARA Members

VRARA Is proud to partner with AWE USA 2024. The mission of AWE is to help the XR community advance Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality technology in order to further human progress.

"AWE was founded in 2010 driven by the belief that the few hundred pioneers working in XR in those early days must get together and collaborate to propel the industry forward. Today that belief is more critical than ever and our partnership with VRARA reinforces our continued dedication to transforming XR to a mainstream powerhouse, via cross industry collaboration." -Ori Inbar, AWE

VRARA members receive three exlusive opportunities to maximize their experience in the conference (additional detail for each below):

• 30% discount to general AWE tickets, email info@thevrara.com to obtain code.

• 50% discount to AWE Focus , which offers a curated experience designed specifically for executives, decision-makers, and thought leaders in the XR space.  (note: application process required); email info@thevrara.com to obtain code.

• AWE Focus Linkedin Live event on May 28th to explore the latest trends and advancements in VR/AR/XR, get your questions answered and be inspired to attend AWE Focus!

With your 30% discounted ticket to AWE USA 2024, you’ll have access to:

•  500+ speakers in 15 tracks covering topics from Gaming & Entertainment to Healthcare, Web3, XR Enablement, Enterprise and many more

•  300+ exhibitors showcasing their latest innovations with live demos

•  Join the Start-up Pitch Competition

•  Meet the XR Hall of Fame inductees in a ceremony recognising the pioneers who built the AR and VR industry

•  Visit the XR Museum 

•  Auggie Awards ceremony 

•  Parties, activations and unlimited networking opportunities

With your 50% discount to AWE Focus, you will:

• Network with Key Players: Connect with industry leaders, build valuable relationships, and identify potential partners.

• Spark Big Ideas: Immerse yourself in cutting-edge technology discussions and discover new ways to leverage XR in your enterprise.

• Shape the Future of XR: Gain insights from industry experts and collaborate on strategies to propel the XR revolution forward.

• We're offering a special opportunity for VRARA members that are enterprise professionals to attend AWE Focus. These discounted tickets provide access to a sales-free environment dedicated to fostering collaboration, idea sharing, and networking.

Limited Availability - Apply Now!  Tickets for Enterprise attendees are limited and require an application process.  Solution providers, students, and non-end-users are not eligible.

Here's what you can expect from AWE Focus Linkedin Live event on May 28th:
- Gain insights from industry experts as they explore the latest trends and advancements in VR, AR, and the broader XR landscape.
- Discover the powerful collaboration between VRARA, the industry's leading non-profit association, and AWE, the world's largest and longest-running XR conference.
- Learn how this new relationship will foster collaboration and drive the XR industry forward.
- Get inspired to attend AWE Focus, the exclusive enterprise-driven event at AWE!

Craig Storm appointed co-chair of Automotive Committee

We are excited to have Craig Storm help lead our community for Automotive and host our online sessions with guest presenters, live discussions, and networking to help you grow your knowledge and connections!

Craig is passionate about the impact that VR and XR is making on the Automotive industry landscape. Craig brings over 20 years of experience in automotive digital merchandising and related software for retail automotive dealers, and wholesale automotive marketplace platforms. Craig is a graduate of Rutgers University.

“I’m excited to co-chair this committee because I strongly believe that the entire industry will eventually be transformed by VR/XR technology, from design and manufacturing to service and the retail experience. I look forward to bringing thought leaders and industry experts together to share new insights as the future is being built in Automotive.”

— Craig Storm

Oberon Technologies® Delivers Apple Vision Pro Application for Clean Energy R&D Institute

Hear from Oberon at our Enterprise Summit 2024!

Ann Arbor, MI (May 15, 2024) – For leading experts in virtual reality technology and the energy sector, the Apple Vision Pro price tag is a small price to pay for a more effective and safe way to train workers in hazardous environments. In collaboration with independent, non-profit energy R&D institute EPRI, Ann Arbor-based Oberon Technologies® has developed a spatial computing application for use with the Apple Vision Pro. The application provides a more efficient and safe way to train and orient employees for work in nuclear facilities without the associated risk to themselves, the facilities, or the surrounding communities.

While the cost of training employees is a major operating investment across industries, the energy industry sees an even higher investment due to often-hazardous work environments. Considerations like exposure to radiation, hazardous gases, high voltages or even explosions are often points of concern for the overall safety of trainees. The demand for highly skilled energy workers continues to grow, making efficiency of training and preservation of historical knowledge even more crucial to success for employers. In addition to mitigating risk, VR training allows for additional benefits like increased locational awareness, knowledge retention, unlimited use, and the opportunity for in the moment and measurable feedback.

This new application provides an immersive, spatial environment with a virtual twin of a nuclear power plant where team members can train and test staff on proper identification of hazards and potential safety issues. When using the virtual experience, users can familiarize themselves with the nuclear facility and standard procedures before going into the physical plant and avoid onsite risks. The fully immersive view can also help gauge emotional responses to confined spaces or heights.

Oberon Technologies® has provided VR applications to clients for years, helping customers to capture and convert tribal knowledge into fully immersive virtual experiences that enable faster onboarding and higher levels of knowledge retention, as well as optimizing safety for those undergoing training. “Our enterprise clients recognize the numerous benefits beyond safety during training. The immersive environments allow users to experience in minutes what may take years to encounter and perfect in the field,” said Scott Allen, CIO of Oberon Technologies®. “The clarity and interactivity of the environment possible within the Apple Vision Pro provides a more realistic experience for trainees, increasing retention rates and recall. We have all seen the gaming capabilities using Apple’s technology. We believe leveraging the same immersive, spatial environment at a corporate level will be a game changer for the industrial enterprise clients that we support,” Allen added.

Click here for video, use cases and more insights on our XR solutions for commercial applications.

Dan Flanegan Appointed as VRARA San Diego Chapter President

We are thrilled to have Dan Flanegan join us as the VRARA San Diego Chapter President.

A product obsessed 3X venture backed CEO / founder, advisor & angel investor with a focus on XR, social and gaming, Dan’s latest company is enhancing storytelling with spatial computing and AI. He was previously XR Product at Qualcomm for the Snapdragon Spaces platform having joined with the acquisition of ClayAIR in 2021.

San Diego, celebrated for its beautiful beaches and dynamic biotech industry, is a hub for innovation!  Known as "America's Finest City," it provides a rich and diverse environment for tech companies of all sizes. Home to major industry players such as Qualcomm and a host of dynamic startups across various sectors, San Diego offers an excellent platform for advancing XR!

The VRARA San Diego Chapter is committed to nurturing our community by connecting groundbreaking ideas with organizations that need them. We invite leaders, innovators, and professionals to help us grow a thriving XR community in San Diego.

“As someone who has been engaged in the San Diego tech and startup ecosystem for the past 20 years, I’m thrilled to be building the VRARA’s presence here in this vibrant and growing hub of innovation. With significant ecosystem leaders like Qualcomm headquartered here alongside vibrant, growing startups in multiple sectors, it presents a great opportunity to promote the benefits of XR technology and software solutions.
”

— Dan Flanegan

AWE USA is One Month Away: Secure Your Discount Today!

VRARA is proud to partner with AWE USA 2024. VRARA Members receive 30% discount; email info@thevrara.com to obtain code.

AWE USA 2024, the #1 AR/VR conference and expo, is only  month away! 

•  500+ speakers in 15 tracks covering topics from Gaming & Entertainment to Healthcare, Web3, XR Enablement, Enterprise and many more

•  300+ exhibitors showcasing their latest innovations with live demos

•  Join the Start-up Pitch Competition

•  Meet the XR Hall of Fame inductees in a ceremony recognising the pioneers who built the AR and VR industry

•  Visit the XR Museum 

•  Auggie Awards ceremony 

•  Parties, activations and unlimited networking opportunities

**BONUS: Exclusive offer for VRARA Members to AWE Focus!!*

AWE Focus offers a curated experience designed specifically for executives, decision-makers, and thought leaders in the XR space.  

Here, you'll:

Network with Key Players: Connect with industry leaders, build valuable relationships, and identify potential partners.

Spark Big Ideas: Immerse yourself in cutting-edge technology discussions and discover new ways to leverage XR in your enterprise.

Shape the Future of XR: Gain insights from industry experts and collaborate on strategies to propel the XR revolution forward.

We're offering a special opportunity for VRARA members that are enterprise professionals to attend AWE Focus. These discounted tickets provide access to a sales-free environment dedicated to fostering collaboration, idea sharing, and networking.

Limited Availability - Apply Now!  Email info@thevrara.com to obtain 50% code exclusively for VRARA members.Tickets for Enterprise attendees are limited and require an application process.  Solution providers, students, and non-end-users are not eligible.

Don't miss out!  Join us at AWE Focus and be at the forefront of the XR revolution.

Envisioning the Future: Crafting Magical and Engaging Spatial Apps with Sha (VRARA LA Chapter Replay)

Watch the replay for the VRARA LA Chapter as they introduced ShapesXR, a groundbreaking tool that redefines spatial design and collaboration!

Guest Speaker: Inga Petryaevskaya, CEO of ShapesXR
Hosted by Vahe Karamian - VRARA LA Chapter President

XR content transcends the limitations of flat screen 3D by immersing users in a fully interactive and spatial environment. Unlike traditional 3D displays, XR technology offers users a sense of depth, scale, and presence, enhancing their ability to perceive and interact with digital content in a more intuitive and natural manner.

Agenda:
-Introduction
-How does XR content differ from flat screen 3D?
-What does the new product development workflow look like for XR?
-Selected use cases and examples
-Live demo of ShapesXR - the power of truly spatial design and collaboration
-Final remarks

Bio:
Inga Petryaevskaya is the Founder and CEO of ShapesXR. Inga's journey in XR began over seven years ago when she co-founded Tvori, a VR real-time animation software aimed at revolutionizing storytelling and 3D animation. During the development of Tvori, Inga and her team recognized the need for tools that could democratize the creation of immersive content, including VR, AR, and Mixed Reality apps, games, and experiences. Inga's solid vision is that spatial apps need spatial creation tools, you have to be immersed in the medium of your user to build magical and delightful XR experiences.

This realization led to the creation of ShapesXR, a platform with a mission to make spatial design and collaboration accessible to everyone. As a product owner, Inga is dedicated to delivering a seamless user experience that empowers individuals, regardless of their 3D expertise, to collaborate and design spatially, inside 3D.

Prior to starting the journey of an entrepreneur, Inga held a Director role at the office of the CTO at Dell Technologies, responsible for driving internal and external innovation projects, including M&A, and prior to that was a researcher at Siemens Corporate Technology. Inga holds engineering degree and MSc in Computer Science from Hamburg University of Technology. See less

VRARA Members receive FREE Access to IIoT World Manufacturing Days 2024

VRARA Members receive complimentary access to this event; email info@thevrara.com to obtain.

At this virtual event, we will be gathering a global audience to explore the most innovative real-world use cases of Edge & Cloud Computing, Analytics, AI, ML, and AR in Manufacturing.

VRARA Member Receive Discount to TNW Conference

VRARA Members receive 20% discount. Email info@thevrara.com to obtain.

The 18th annual TNW Conference, happening on June 20 & 21, 2024 in Amsterdam, will bring together 10,000+ industry leaders and tech enthusiasts to reclaim the future and uncover the next big ideas in tech. Be in the same room as corporates, government officials, startups & scaleups and investors to see how they will shape the world of tomorrow.

Let us work towards a future where technology is a beacon of hope once again all while getting all of the benefits of a conference with the energy of a festival - do business, get inspired, meet industry peers, and enjoy every minute of it.

TNW Conference offers unmatched networking opportunities through roundtable discussions, 1:1 meeting areas, workshops, and throughout the Business Hall. Meet with like-minded people from 80+ countries as you build out your international network. The casual conference environment provides you all of the opportunities to meet with the right people through its onsite activities such as padel, ping pong and much more!

Future proof your next big idea with seven industry leading themes through Ren-AI-ssance, Pixels & Profit, Sustainable Futures, Venture and much more. Get excited about the amazing speaker lineup and agenda with powerhouse speakers such as the CEO of Vinted Thomas Plantega, the CEO of Booking.com Glenn Fogel, the CFO of OnlyFans Lee Taylor, the Chief of Global Brand and Communications of Tony's Chocolonely Sadira Furlow, Formula E Porsche Race Driver Antonio Felix da Costa and much more!

At TNW Conference we want to set your startups and investors for success through expertly designed packages. TNW for Startups packages - Bootstrap or Scale-up and TNW for Investor Program are designed to maximize your time before, during and after the event. TNW works closely with you to ensure you have all the right meetings set up before you step foot on the conference grounds. 

Equal opportunity and equal access to the tech scene is vital for a better and brighter future. Although the progress of achieving greater diversity is slow, TNW wants to ensure that the voices of the underrepresented are heard. Through the Women in Tech and Under 30s tickets, TNW hopes to facilitate access to world-class events. 

Don’t miss out on the most innovative and thought-provoking tech event in Europe. Let’s come together and build towards a more sustainable, equitable, and inclusive future at TNW Conference today!

Tim Cook gives an update on the Apple Vision Pro

Tim Cook gave an update (during the Apple event this week) on the Vision Pro with examples from automotive, healthcare, and entertainment (watch the video below). And, we already know half of Fortune 100 companies have bought an Apple Vision Pro and are developing their solutions. Learn more at our Enterprise Summit 2024 on July 24!

Porsche is using the Apple Vision Pro to build the “showroom of the future”. Tim also mentioned Porsche was using the Vision Pro to train service technicians and reimagine track experiences.

Sharp Healthcare is improving surgical eyecare by using the Vision Pro. Tim said this was being done through “simulation, analysis and optimization”.

Professional film design on a theater-sized screen - film director Jon M. Chu was editing his upcoming film ‘Wicked’ on an Apple Vision Pro. This was being done from the comfort of his home on a “theater-size screen”.

Learn more at our Enterprise Summit 2024 on July 24!

How Treeview Implements Spatial User Interfaces for Apple Vision Pro

Case Study from VRARA Member ShapesXR.

Background and Objectives

Treeview is a high-end boutique development studio that builds AR/VR products and solutions for enterprise clients. Treeview has been working for over 8 years in the AR/VR industry and is currently ranked as the #1 AR/VR development team in LATAM.

Treeview has started developing software for the Apple Vision Pro and faced unique development challenges in the front-end implementation process for this platform.

When developing Inviewer, a Spatial STEM Simulation library, the team set out to explore an improved workflow to minimize iterations and reduce time in the front-end implementation of spatial user interfaces for the latest AR/VR technologies, including the Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3.

"ShapesXR has enabled our team to drastically reduce the time for front-end implementations of Spatial User Interfaces for the latest generation of XR devices, including the Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3." - Horacio Torrendell, Founder & CEO of Treeview

Decision Process

We were having trouble with the amount of iterations needed to get the sizing, positions, and rotations of the UI to feel correct in AVP due to the slow build cycles of Unity→Xcode→AVP. We used ShapesXR to enable the design team to define the exact spatial layout, which was then used as the source of truth for the engineering team to implement in Unity.

We use Figma as our UI design tool, but there is a large gap in communication between a 2D representation of a spatial interface and the actual spatial interface. We discovered that ShapesXR bridges this communication gap.

Implementation and Use

We used ShapesXR to design the exact spatial layout we wanted for the Mixed Reality app. We executed design reviews with all stakeholders in ShapesXR to reach agreement on the final design. Once agreed upon, this design was used as the source of truth for the front-end implementation on the Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3.

Results and Feedback

ShapesXR allowed us to drastically reduce the time of implementation by reducing the amount of front-end implementation cycles. Before using ShapesXR, a front-end implementation could take around 5-10 iterations, requiring the design team to collaborate with development to really nail a high-quality interface implementation. Now with ShapesXR, we’ve reduced the iterations to around only 2: a first implementation that exactly aligns to the ShapesXR source of truth and a final polish round which completes the front-end implementation. 

Previously, we would use Figma as our source of truth for the user interface, which has many gaps in information regarding sizing, distance, and rotation of objects relative to the user’s starting position. Now with ShapesXR, our team can define a source of truth that aligns exactly with the expected outcome of the front-end implementation.

Overall Experience

We started with a self-onboarding process for ShapesXR, through which we discovered the power of this tool. We then had a team onboarding session with one of the ShapesXR team members, which was invaluable for providing an in-depth presentation and offering our team a chance to ask questions and explore how we could fully leverage the tool.

One feature we found particularly useful was the layer feature, which enables us to simulate UI logic flow and even define UI animations. This is advantageous because it allows us to add more layers of detail during the design phase, ensuring all details are defined before starting front-end implementation.

Future Plans

Our plan is to start integrating ShapesXR into the design process of the AR/VR software that we build at Treeview. Being a development studio that works with many clients and many projects, we have various design processes for new AR/VR applications. Our plan is to integrate ShapesXR into our workflow, moving from Figma to ShapesXR, then to Unity, and finally to devices such as the Apple Vision Pro, Meta Quest, MagicLeap, and Microsoft Hololens.

Recommendations

We feel that ShapesXR is becoming the primary design tool for XR development. This tool should be used in all XR development teams. For us, the key benefit is that it allows the design team to cover a more extensive range of design details that are specific to spatial user interfaces. This leaves fewer design decision gaps for the engineering team to fill during the front-end software implementation.

Revolutionize Clinical Solutions with Virtual Reality Medical Training

Guest post from VRARA Member Travancore Analytics

In the dynamic landscape of healthcare, where every moment is critical and every decision holds immense weight, the need for comprehensive and effective training is undeniable. Traditionally, medical education has relied on conventional methods, often constrained by cost, accessibility, and the ability to replicate real-world scenarios authentically. However, the emergence of virtual reality (VR) technology has brought about a transformative shift, offering unprecedented opportunities for immersive and interactive learning experiences. This case study delves into a pioneering collaboration between an esteemed Association for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and a technological partner, aiming to revolutionize medical training through the development of a VR solution tailored to address the specific challenges faced in emergency situations within oral and maxillofacial surgery.

At the forefront of this collaboration was the recognition of the unique challenges posed by traditional training methods, particularly during high-stakes scenarios such as membership renewals and licensure tests. Confronted with the limitations of simulating emergencies using traditional mannequins and static scenarios, the Association sought to harness the potential of VR technology to create a more dynamic and realistic training environment. Thus, the project embarked on a journey to develop a VR simulation that would not only replicate critical medical scenarios but also provide users with a hands-on, risk-free platform to hone their skills and decision-making abilities in real-time.

Check here for the full article: 

https://www.travancoreanalytics.com/case-study/virtual-reality-medical-training/

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

Follow us on Linkedin for latest updates: 

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

University of Miami – ENGAGE Case Study

ENGAGE is a SaaS Enterprise advanced spatial computing platform aimed at the professional and academic market. It is designed for professionals, event organizers, educators, and corporations to build their own virtual worlds, provide metaverse services directly to their clients, and create new business models.

UMverse is a groundbreaking initiative at the University of Miami to integrate emerging technologies within educational and research environments. The program utilizes immersive technology to revolutionize educational approaches. It aims to move beyond conventional learning tools, such as textbooks, photographs, films, or video games, and instead incorporate immersive and multi-sensory experiences and simulations. UMverse is also advancing research about optimal ways to transform the educational landscape and redefine the campus experience while providing personalized and interactive learning and patient care opportunities. 

Recently, Engage assisted the University of Miami in organizing an innovative conference in collaboration with the Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality Association (VRARA), concentrating on the application of immersive technologies like Virtual and Augmented Reality within the Healthcare sector. This event brought together nearly 100 professionals, including practicing physicians, researchers, faculty, and tech industry leaders, to engage in person, exchange insights on their current use of VR/AR and AI, share their learnings, and discuss the anticipated impact of these technologies across the healthcare industry.

What made this conference a first of its kind was that besides allowing people to attend the conference at the University of Miami Lakeside conference center in person, attendees from around the world used Engage’s advanced spatial computing platform to attend it virtually. 

According to Kim Grinfeder, Department Chair of Interactive Media, our goal was to have as many attendees as possible at the conference to exchange knowledge on AR and VR; we recognize that not everyone can attend in person. Therefore, we chose to provide a remote participation option using virtual reality, diverging from traditional video conferencing to offer a more immersive experience. Additionally, we decided to employ the same spatial computing platform already in use at our school for instructional purposes.

We take pride in the University of Miami’s role as a frontrunner in integrating immersive technologies into both undergraduate and postgraduate education. Demonstrating the application of virtual reality technology at our conference extends its use beyond classroom instruction to encompass professional events and conferences, showcasing its potential for organizational settings.

Today, the ENGAGE XR platform is used across the University of Miami, not only to teach courses for students, as we have in over 40 different courses, but also to train them.  As an example, medical students at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute are using an Engage application we developed to understand how slit lamps are used for eye examinations with various eye afflictions.

While virtual reality training and event participation are gaining traction, the ENGAGE platform enhances this experience by allowing attendees to join live conferences from anywhere globally, offering a more immersive experience than standard video live streaming. On this platform, participants sit in a virtual conference room, viewing live presentations on a virtual stage as though they were at a physical event. They can interact with one another, engage in discussions with presenters, and actively participate in the conference, all from the comfort of their home or office.

Grinfeder adds, “The Engage platform enables students to learn in a virtual environment, offering a unique spatial aspect that platforms like Zoom lack, fostering enhanced collaboration opportunities. At the University of Miami, we explore its potential across various disciplines, using the VR modality classes in Art History, Computer Engineering, Psychology, Religion, and others.” 

Thomas Merrick, Associate Director of XR at the University of Miami, says a university is an ideal environment to try new technologies. Using the ENGAGE platform for our academic studies has demonstrated that we are approaching a tipping point where XR technology will become ubiquitous. When we decided to host the VR AR healthcare summit, we wanted to make it accessible to as many people as possible.  Utilizing Engage allowed us to blend the Virtual with the physical and provide a broader experience for the attendees. 

Engage allows instructors to use their current course materials within its platform or adapt them to leverage the technology’s immersive capabilities. Moreover, students can attend sessions from various devices, including desktop computers, tablets, and VR headsets—a particularly appealing option as VR gaming gains popularity among our students.

 The future of learning will include extended reality technologies at all levels. I also see a future where physical events will have virtual attendee components as standard, so if you can’t go to that conference or that concert live, you can get a lot of the benefits and experience by attending virtual reality. It’s exciting to be involved in this next evolution of the Internet, which will be real-time 3-D.

Avgoustos Tsinakos and Chrysoula Lazou appointed as Co-Chairs of University and Colleges Committee

We are thrilled to welcome Prof. Avgoustos Tsinakos and Chrysoula Lazou to help lead our community and host online sessions for the University and Colleges Committee.

This committee shares and creates best practices, guidelines, and call to actions for university curricula and research relating to VR and AR.

We are excited for the opportunity given by the VRAR Association to Co-Chair the University and Colleges Committee worldwide.

Our vision is to focus on revealing, collecting and presenting best practices and innovators in Universities and Colleges (per country) in order to inspire and boost cooperation and expertise sharing among Academics, (PhD) Researchers, Teachers/Instructors and inspire the educators of the future.

Immersive technologies can create simulations replicating real-life scenarios, allowing students to practice skills, personalize instruction, track student progress and adjust the difficulty level or provide personalized feedback based on individual needs.  In addition, they offer instructors new ways to present content and engage students in a variety of topics.— Prof. Avgoustos Tsinakos and Chrysoula Lazou

The Werewolf Experience Extends in Shinjuku!

Reality+, LLC is proud to announce the extension run of its immersive branching VR narrative game, 'The Werewolf Experience' @ the NEUU Space in Shinjuku, Tokyo.

In TWE the user is a werewolf hunting the sacred white stag in order to cure themselves of their lycanthropy, however, they must be quick as the townspeople are hunting them! A unique experience with a truly original immersive element: in order to trigger the branches in the story the user must use their own voice and HOWL like a wolf! All choices affect the story and lead to one of three different endings!
The experience is controlled with only your eyes and your voice! No hand-held controllers. Step into the body of the Werewolf!

Location: NEUU Space
NEUU XR Communications Hub in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
Hours of operation: 9:00 - 21:00
Closed: Tuesdays, year-end and New Year holidays, and occasional holidays
https://neuu.jp

NEUU space is an XR Communications Hub run by world class railroad and electronics company ODAKYU
https://www.odakyu.jp/english/

XR Training lands OTA deal to build Amphibious Combat Vehicle

XR Training - a fast-growing global studio of VR/XR evangelists, developers, engineers and leaders in the defense industry - has just won an OTA deal to lead the production of 81 VR simulators in 2024.

These simulators will be used to train modern Marines in the operation of a cutting-edge Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV). You can read more about it in the press release here.

This custom-built immersive VR training solution serves as a crucial turning point in the evolution of training for the U.S. Marine Corps. Learn more!

Recap of Scalable Student-driven Production of Scalable XR Learning Experiences

Colleen Bielitz hosted our online session and had Prof Robert LiKam Wa give a presentation.

Dr. Robert LiKamWa is an associate professor at Arizona State University, appointed in the School of Arts, Media and Engineering (AME) and the School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering (ECEE). LiKamWa directs Meteor Studio, which explores the research and design of software and hardware for mobile Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, Mixed Reality, and visual computing systems, and their ability to help people tell their stories. To this end, Meteor Studio’s research and design projects span three arcs: (i) advanced visual capture and processing systems, (ii) systems for hybrid virtual-physical immersion through augmentation of senses, and (iii) design frameworks for data-driven augmented reality and virtual reality storytelling and sensemaking.

The meeting discussed XR learning at ASU scale and beyond, emphasizing partnerships with AR and VR for diverse learning opportunities and immersive storytelling with Dreamscape Learn. The XR program at ASU was highlighted, focusing on MeSH system implementation for scalability and student accessibility, including studio mentorship and faculty involvement. Initiatives for immersive learning experiences for high school students, meteorology simulations, and XR environments in education were also addressed, along with ongoing research projects and collaborations. The meeting explored micro-credentialing in XR programs, VR applications in education for enhanced learning experiences, and potential collaborations for XR lesson builder platforms. The importance of partnerships, scalability, and philanthropic support were emphasized as next steps for action.

Topics & Highlights

1. Discussion on XR Learning at ASU Scale and Beyond

• investments in partnerships with AR and VR for different learning opportunities and creating learning experiences for various degree programs at ASU.

• partnership with Dreamscape Learn, emphasizing immersive storytelling for education and engaging students in their learning by making them characters in their own stories.

2. MeSH - Support Network and Studio Mentorship

• The decision to have faculty mentors for guilds to provide skills and expert mentorship in their subject areas.

• Discussion about the collaborative and co-designed approach with clients in the intake process.

3. Implementation of XR Environments in Education

• importance of instructional design, aligning objectives, and the creative team's role in engaging students. He highlighted the need for assessments, time budgeting, and the involvement of primary roles for project success.

• interdisciplinary nature of the project, involving students from various programs, the establishment of guilds for skill development, and the role of instructional designers in course design at ASU.

4. Research Projects and Collaborations

• various research projects, including Hurricane Heroes and the Verizon project, led by PhD students and their publications at different conferences.

5. Virtual Reality (VR) for Education

• The conversation covers the application of VR in education, specifically focusing on scale perception and immersive experiences. ASU's partnership with Dreamscape for creating educational content and hiring students for various roles is discussed.

Mike Vann appointed as co-chair for VR/AR Association Metaverse Committee for XR, Web3, and AI

We are thrilled to have Mike Vann help us lead our community and host online sessions for Metaverse with guest speakers, live discussion and networking so our Members can grow their knowledge and connections!

Mike is the CEO & Co-founder of Agents of Play, a development studio creating business metaverse, AI-powered avatars/agents and experiential technology for global enterprise, agency, non-profit and .gov partners. In 2024, AOP will launch bizVersive, a platform allowing businesses to create 3D immersive web spaces with AI characters. Mike actively promotes metaverse strategy and technology benefits across all industries.

Driven by the potential of virtual human interactions, Mike is inspired by the entrepreneurs, creatives and technologists shaping the metaverse. He envisions an open metaverse that enhances and extends life and business for everyone.

Previously, Mike collaborated with the world's largest mobile and social gaming properties to develop and monetize vast player communities. His metaverse journey began at the intersection of game development and brands seeking premier branded entertainment experiences. Agents of Play was established by game and brand experts after collaborating with the founders of Activision, leading to the pioneering of Advergames. Before his venture into technology, Mike held media and sponsorship roles at the NFL and New York Times company.

“I’m energized to work with a community of innovators to realize the potential and impact of a global metaverse for all. The VRARA Metaverse committee will establish best practices, drive research and enable strategic collaboration among VR/AR/XR, Metaverse, Web3, AI and industry leaders.

The Metaverse has the potential to revolutionize global interaction, economy, and creativity, creating a connected reality that transcends physical boundaries and reshapes how we live, work, and connect.

The future is here, let’s go!”

— Mike Vann