ONE Digital Consulting and Vivaldi 3.0 Nominated for Three Polys Awards: A Celebration of Immersive Art, Music, and Innovation

ONE Digital Consulting and Vivaldi 3.0 Nominated for Three Polys Awards: A Celebration of Immersive Art, Music, and Innovation

We are thrilled to share that Vivaldi 3.0 has been nominated in three categories at the prestigious Polys – WebXR Awards, organized by the Academy of Immersive Arts and Sciences:

- Best Educational Experience
- Best Entertainment Experience
- Best Immersive Experience

This recognition is a profound honor, celebrating the very essence of Vivaldi 3.0: the fusion of music, nature, and immersive technology to create an experience that transcends time and space.

A Journey of Innovation, Passion, and Collaboration

What began as an ambitious vision has grown into a globally recognized immersive project, redefining how we experience music. Vivaldi 3.0 is more than just a virtual concert—it is an emotional journey through sound, nature, and storytelling, where classical music comes to life through the power of immersive technology.

This achievement would not have been possible without the dedication and talent of a team of over 50 professionals, including musicians, composers, immersive designers, XR developers, 3D artists, educators, and technologists, who have worked tirelessly for over a year to bring this vision to life. Their passion and expertise have shaped an experience that continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.

International Recognition and Global Showcases

Our team and project have received significant international recognition, including a nomination for Best XR in Film and Immersive Experiences at the AIXR XR Awards 2024 and the title of Most Innovative Immersive Experience Tech Company 2024, awarded by Global Business Awards. These honors reaffirm the importance of blending art, education, and emerging technology to inspire new ways of learning and cultural exploration.

The impact of Vivaldi 3.0 extends beyond the digital realm. It has been showcased at prestigious international events, allowing audiences from around the world to experience the magic of immersive music through live exhibitions, educational programs, and hybrid concerts.

This journey has been made possible through collaboration, creativity, and an unwavering belief in the transformative power of immersive storytelling. We extend our deepest gratitude to our partners, collaborators, and global community, whose enthusiasm and support continue to inspire us. A very special thank you to the extraordinary musician Ara Malikian, whose artistry and creativity have been a source of inspiration and an integral part of this project, and to the Escuela Superior de Música Reina Sofía for their trust and support.

Major thanks to the production team, especially Carlos J. Ochoa (our fearless leader), Encarna Mora, Andy Fidel, Amalia Araújo, and the brilliant Cause + Christi: Immersive XR Design team. Working with you all has been inspiring!

It's an exciting time to be in immersive tech. To redefine what's even possible in education, music, and art.

Mark your calendars for #ThePolys:

𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗖𝗛 𝟮𝟯𝗿𝗱 𝗮𝘁 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗼𝗳𝘁 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗼𝗛𝗼, 𝗡𝗬𝗖 https://thepolys.com/

This year, we’ll be celebrating ONE Digital Consulting's 10th anniversary and the 300th anniversary of Antonio Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons.

Celebrating the Future of Immersive Arts

The Polys Awards recognize trailblazers shaping the future of education, entertainment, and immersive storytelling. Being nominated in three key categories is a true honor, and we are incredibly proud to share this recognition with other groundbreaking projects that are transforming the industry.

We invite you to celebrate this milestone with us, share our story, and support these awards as we continue exploring new frontiers in music, extended reality, and digital storytelling.

ONE Digital Consulting & The Vivaldi 3.0 Team

Follow our journey and support the awards:

https://youtu.be/j0Kt13RY3yk?si=u-v51rjR8G9RxYjI

ALVEARIUM, new VRARA Madrid Chapter member.

ALVEARIUM, new VRARA Madrid Chapter member.

We are excited to welcome Alvearium to the VRARA Madrid Chapter! A key player in the Madrid in Game Innovation Program, Alvearium is now set to take a major leap onto the international stage.

Alvearium is a pioneering immersive ecosystem that seamlessly integrates cutting-edge technologies to transform how people connect with their surroundings in everyday life.

Our platform offers personalized, interactive experiences across commerce, entertainment, tourism, and socialization—bridging the digital and physical worlds like never before.

As a true One-Stop-Shop for immersive experiences, Alvearium empowers users to shop in virtual stores, watch live events, and access services—all within a single platform. With the support of major brands such as Uber Eats, Groupon, and El Corte Inglés, as well as institutions like the Madrid City Council and the Madrid Chamber of Commerce, we are set to redefine digital interaction and expand globally.

Alvearium is thrilled to join VRARA Madrid and collaborate with fellow members to drive innovation in XR and beyond!

The Media Panel is here from | Warp VR

The Media Panel is here from

Warp VR!

Introducing the Media Panel, a new feature that makes immersive learning more dynamic and engaging. Now, you can easily add 2D videos, images, and formatted text to your VR scenarios, helping to explain concepts, provide instructions, and add context. This feature is perfect for training scenarios like safety briefings, onboarding, and soft skills development.

Fully integrated into the Flow Editor, the Media Panel lets you upload and display media at key moments, format longer text, and control when the panel appears. This keeps learners engaged without breaking immersion. The Media Panel is now available to all clients—visit our Help Center or reach out for a demo!

Check out the product update page for more specific details or get in touch with us!

Seamlessly Integrate Multi-User Collaboration to Enhance Efficiency and Innovation

Seamlessly Integrate Multi-User Collaboration to Enhance Efficiency and Innovation Across Any Project

SAN DIEGO, CA, UNITED STATES, February 18, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ --Cavrnusis thrilled to announce the launch of the Cavrnus Spatial Connector™ (CSC) for Unreal Engine™,now available for downloadthrough the Epic Games Fab Marketplace. This strategic move simplifies installation and integration, empowering enterprises to elevate their Unreal Engine applications with cutting-edge collaboration features in just minutes.

The Cavrnus Spatial Connector is a revolutionary plugin that offers a seamless, no-code solution for adding robust multi-user collaboration and communication capabilities to any Unreal Engine application. Industrial applications — from collaborative design and digital twins to interactive training systems — stand to benefit immensely from CSC’s advanced feature set.

Key Features of the Cavrnus Spatial Connector:

- Effortless Multi-User Copresence: Supports any avatar style across desktop, XR, and mobile platforms, facilitating real-time interaction.

Integrated Communication: Includes voice & video streaming with camera, screen, window, and application sharing

- Live Transcription & Translation: Personalize experiences with settings for 54 languages, promoting global collaboration.

- Data Synchronization: Critical for creating, training, product design, and more, ensuring all participants see the latest updates.

- Persistent Journaling System: Enables users to revisit their spaces exactly as they left them, preserving session history and synchronizing experience states.

- Enterprise-Grade Security: Offers a robust encryption and identity management system, aligning with enterprise requirements.

- Seamless Interoperability: Compatible with Cavrnus Spatial Connectors™ for Unity™, JavaScript/WebGL, and .NET.

- Flexible Integration and Custom Solutions: For developers seeking tailored applications, our Cavrnus Platform SDK and REST API provide an expansive toolbox for creating custom integrations that meet specific enterprise needs.

- Access Anytime, Anywhere: Available in Public Cloud, Virtual Private Cloud, and On-Premises configurations, our flexible subscription models — including Starter (free), Pro, and Enterprise — ensure the platform scales seamlessly with your demands.

The introduction of Cavrnus Spatial Connector on the Fab Marketplace underscores our commitment to facilitating transformational digital experiences. By streamlining the adoption of collaborative solutions, this launch propels innovation in various enterprise sectors, enhancing productivity and interaction.

Visit the Epic Games Fab Marketplace todayto download the Cavrnus Spatial Connector and unlock a new dimension of possibilities for your Unreal Engine applications.

Virtual Reality is reshaping financial services

VR strengthens customer engagement in finance by making loans, investments, and insurance more tangible and immersive. That fosters a deeper understanding and stronger trust between customers and financial institutions.

Find out more about VR for financial services, the Creditplus success story and how Sparkasse benefits from VR below!

Beyond screens: the future of financial advice in VR

Virtual branches offer personalized, interactive and immersive financial services:

- Better financial education – complex products like loans, investments, and insurance become easier to understand through interactive visualizations.

- 24/7 Accessibility – clients can access services anytime, anywhere, without geographical limitations.

- Realistic training & simulations – employees benefit from hands-on, immersive training for better decision-making and service quality.

Read our newest blog article here!

Siemens to speak at our Best of Europe 2025: How XR will Enable the Future of Design and Manufacturing through Immersive Engineering

Ben Widdowson, Head of Marketing Immersive Engineering at Siemens will present at our Best of Europe: How XR will Enable the Future of Design and Manufacturing through Immersive Engineering.

Session Description: Discover how XR technologies are finally ready to revolutionize how we design and manufacture the products of the future. We'll explore real-world use cases across the automotive, aerospace, and consumer products industries, showcasing how XR is enhancing the design process and driving efficiency, innovation and collaboration. Join us to see how XR is reshaping these sectors and enabling the future through Immersive Engineering.

Register here

How OpenBCI is Bridging the Gap Between the Human Mind and Computers with Lenovo

As AI technologies get smarter and gain more of a foothold in healthcare applications, one company - OpenBCI - is pushing the limits of computing to not only better understand the human brain, but how to leverage it to its fullest potential. They’re integrating state-of-the-art neurotechnology with AI and wearable computing to help patients with neurological diseases and physical impairments.

Their biosensing Galea headset - powered by Lenovo’s workstations - is designed to interface with the human mind to give researchers a tool for better understanding the connection between the brain and body so they can then create more responsive therapies and remedies. Galea is the world’s first device that integrates EEG, EMG, EDA, PPG and eye-tracking data simultaneously to measure the wearer’s heart, skin, muscles, eyes and brain. With all its sensors, Galea produces vast amounts of data that then needs to be analyzed in real-time and fed back into their AI models to better train and fine-tune them as quickly as possible for shortened innovation cycles. 

With its high-performance compute power, Lenovo’s ThinkStation P620 workstation was best suited to handle OpenBCI’s demanding and graphics-intensive AI workflows for turning physiological data into actionable insights. As a result, OpenBCI is helping patients control computers just by thinking - including one man who suffers from spinal muscular atrophy who was able to fly a drone with his mind.

You can read the full case study and watch a customer video here for additional details:

https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/case-studies-customer-success-stories/openbci 

Alberta's New VRARA Chapter President!

“I am excited to become Chapter President because I see the potential in the technologies to have a massive impact on the way we live, work and play and change lives for the better. It's important to me that I support the vision of these daring entrepreneurs and innovative organizations.“ - Christy Seville

Christy is an award-winning communicator with experience helping innovative technology companies and non-profits identify and reach their markets, build relationships and find new opportunities to grow & reach new publics.

Her passion for emerging technology includes a particular interest in advancing the needs of the XR industry, believing that virtual and augmented reality offer all industries opportunities for advancement. Christy is currently the Strategy & Content Lead with Paper Crane. Through her work as a communicator, she has helped local and international AR and VR companies reach their target audiences and she advocates for AR/VR as an effective communications tool for innovative brands to engage with their audiences.

Her favourite XR experience is Beat Saber — can’t resist a good beat!

Sony Electronics' Spatial Reality Display Now Supports Autodesk VRED—Empowering Designers and Engineers to Visualize in 3D Without Special Glasses or Virtual Reality (VR) Headsets

Sony Electronics' Spatial Reality Display Now Supports Autodesk VRED—Empowering Designers and Engineers to Visualize in 3D Without Special Glasses or Virtual Reality (VR) Headsets

Dynamic integration enhances 3D visualization to bring complex data to life

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 12, 2025 — Sony Electronics is revolutionizing immersive 3D experiences by integrating its glasses-free 3D Displays, the ELF-SR2 (27-inch) and ELF-SR1 (15.6-inch) Spatial Reality Displays, with Autodesk® VRED®.

Autodesk VRED 3D visualization software empowers designers and engineers to create product presentations, conduct design reviews, and develop virtual prototypes using interactive Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) ray tracing and both analytic and cloud-rendering modes. When paired with Sony’s Spatial Reality Display, users can view their work in real-time 3D.

The Autodesk VRED software is also used to explore and validate digital designs for informed decision-making. It transforms digital design data into compelling, high-fidelity images, animations, and real-time presentations that can be consumed on desktops and in full-scale presentation environments through Sony’s Spatial Reality Display.

Autodesk VRED is widely utilized by automotive designers, digital artists, technical surfacing specialists, visualization specialists, lighting engineers, perceived quality specialists, virtual reality specialists, digital marketing professionals, and CGI artists. The integration with Sony adds value and streamlines workflows for a diverse range of customers.

“With the integration of Autodesk VRED, our Spatial Reality Displays are set to transform the way designers and engineers visualize their work and furthers our commitment to the content creation community by providing compatibility with the industry’s favored tools,” said Thaisa Yamamura, XR Business Development Director at Sony Electronics. “This collaboration enhances real-time 3D visualization and fosters seamless collaboration, making it easier for teams to bring their ideas to life.”

With Autodesk VRED, users can develop digital prototypes, assemble, and review a digital twin of their product for informed decision-making. This integration also enhances collaboration, allowing teams to visually collaborate from anywhere using the Spatial Reality Display with Autodesk VRED.

“The Sony Spatial Reality display offers a more natural, seamless, and immersive 3D experience to a large audience, enhancing the understanding of proportions and dimensions of virtual products leading to better decision-making,” said Marek Trawny, Director of Product Management at Autodesk.

To learn more about connecting Sony’s Spatial Reality Display to VRED, please visit here: https://www.sony.net/Products/Developer-Spatial-Reality-display/en/tips/vred-spatial-reality-display-Instructions/

About Sony Electronics Inc.

Sony Electronics is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America and an affiliate of Sony Corporation (Japan), one of the most comprehensive entertainment companies in the world, with a portfolio that encompasses electronics, music, motion pictures, mobile, gaming and financial services. Headquartered in San Diego, California, Sony Electronics is a leader in electronics for the consumer and professional markets. Operations include research and development, engineering, sales, marketing, distribution and customer service. Sony Electronics creates products that innovate and inspire generations, such as the award-winning Alpha Interchangeable Lens Cameras and revolutionary high-resolution audio products. Sony is also a leading manufacturer of end-to-end solutions from 4K professional broadcast and A/V equipment to industry leading 4K Ultra HD TVs. Visit www.sony.com/news for more information.

JOYA Team will speak at our Best of Europe 2025

Please join our Best of Europe 2025 and hear from the JOYA Team. This is a LinkedIn Live event with 30+ speakers and we expect 1000s of attendees, lot of engagement and networking! 

Joya Team: End-to-End XR Solutions for Smart Glasses and Beyond

Founded in 2019, Joya Team is a leading optical systems development and engineering company specializing in tailored XR solutions for smart glasses and immersive technologies. With over 100 years of combined expertise and experience in the development of more than 20 AR/VR headsets across diverse applications and use cases, we deliver cutting-edge projects for industries including consumer electronics, medical, defense, and enterprise.

Our Full-Service Capabilities

We provide comprehensive development services for XR systems, offering a seamless blend of hardware and software expertise to bring concepts to life. 

—Our capabilities include:

• System Engineering: Defining and optimizing system architecture based on specific use cases

• Optical Design: Developing advanced optical layouts and selecting the best microdisplays (MicroLED, OLED, etc.)

• UX/UI Design: Crafting intuitive and immersive user experiences tailored to smart glasses applications

• Software Development: Custom XR application development, including real-time processing and robust system integration

• AI Solutions for Smart Glasses: Implementing AI-driven features such as computer vision, user analytics, and real-time decision-making

• Prototyping and Testing: Rapid development cycles and comprehensive performance validation

• Optics and Hardware Integration: Seamless assembly and integration for high-performance XR systems

Why Partner with Joya Team

• Tailored End-to-End Solutions: From concept to deployment, we handle every stage of XR system development, customized to meet your needs

• Cross-Disciplinary Expertise: Deep knowledge in XR Systems, optics, software, and AI-driven applications

• Proven Industry Success: Successful implementations in mission-critical industries where precision and reliability are essential
  
  

Powering the Next Generation of XR Experiences

Whether you're creating consumer AR glasses, enterprise XR applications, or advanced AI-driven medical devices, Joya Team is your trusted partner for delivering innovative, market-ready solutions.

Let’s build the future of XR together!

Contact Joya Team:

• Website: joyateam.com

Connect with Us:

• LinkedIn: Joya Team on LinkedIn

Email: assaf@joyateam.com

Virtualware partners with FS Studio to accelerate adoption of XR Solutions in the U.S

Virtualware partners with FS Studio to accelerate adoption of XR Solutions in the U.S

Broomfield, Bilbao, February 4, 2025.The leading expert in 3D-driven enterprise software Virtualware (EPA: MLVIR) has partnered with FS Studio cutting-edge provider of engineering, synthetic data, and immersive technology solutions to drive adoption of XR technologies in the U.S market.

This partnership leverages FS Studio’s extensive expertise in XR technology and Virtualware’s platform, VIROO, to help organizations overcome the challenges of XR adoption and start applying in their process easily.  Companies in industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, defense, and training & simulation will particularly benefit from this collaboration, gaining access to scalable and cost-effective XR solutions that enhance operations, workforce training, and design processes.

VIROO is a secure ISO 27001-certified XRaaS platform that enables multi-user VR design/review collaboration, rapid development, deployment, and management of digital twin and training content in a secure environment.

Tim Martin, Founder & CEO, FS Studio remarked "FS Studio welcomes our new partnership with Virtualware. By combining our advanced Industry 4.0 XR and simulation solutions with Virtualware's VIROO platform, we strengthen our ability to create powerful immersive experiences that drive real business results."

Businesses can embark into XR adoption thanks to its flexible subscription model, which lowers upfront investment barriers and makes immersive technology more accessible. The platform’s scalability allows organizations to effortlessly expand XR initiatives across teams, locations, and projects, fostering continuous innovation. Moreover, VIROO provides state-of-the-art compatibility and automatic updates, ensuring clients remain at the forefront of XR advancements without requiring additional resources or technical expertise.

John A. Cunningham, President of Virtualware USA stated, "This partnership with FS Studio is a natural progression for Virtualware as we continue to help companies across industries to meet XR challenges and adapt to evolving demands. Together, we will be able to offer our clients even more powerful tools to enhance their operations and drive innovation."

VIROO has already been adopted by organizations worldwide, including GE Vernova, Ontario Power Generation, Gestamp, ADIF, Bosch, Biogen, Kessler Foundation, Invest WindsorEssex, McMaster University, St. Clair College, EAN University, the Spanish Ministry of Defense and the Basque Government.

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Virtualware impulsa la expansión de VIROO en EE.UU. sumando FS Studio en su red de partners internacional

Bilbao, España, 20 de agosto de 2024.- Virtualware (EPA: MLVIR), compañía líder europea en realidad virtual en el ámbito empresarial, suma a FS Studio,  firma de vanguardia en gemelos digitales y desarrollo de sistemas inteligentes, para impulsar la presencia de VIROO en el norteamérica.

La incorporación de FS Studio como nuevo Value Add Reseller (VAR) de la galardonada plataforma de realidad virtual, VIROO, supone un nuevo paso para ayudar a las empresas industriales y de automoción a afrontar los nuevos retos de la RV y adaptarse a la evolución de la demanda.

VIROO es una plataforma VRaaS segura con certificación ISO 27001 que permite la colaboración multiusuario en revisión, diseño, desarrollo ágil, así como el despliegue y la gestión de contenidos VR , en un entorno seguro.

John A. Cunningham, Presidente de Virtualware USA y COO de The VRARA, declaró: «Esta asociación con FS Studioes una progresión natural para Virtualware a medida que continuamos facilitando el acceso de la realidad virtual a las empresas Junto con Invia podremos ofrecer a nuestra clientela herramientas potentes para mejorar sus operaciones e impulsar la innovación.»

VIROO se está convirtiendo rápidamente en la referencia mundial de las aplicaciones de RV multiusuario en la industria y la educación. Ya lo utilizan más de 40 empresas e instituciones de todo el mundo, como GE Vernova (antes GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy), Ontario Power Generation, Gestamp, ADIF, el Ministerio de Defensa español y numerosas universidades y centros de formación.

Silvio Ballerini, CEO S-iBA Vision, will speak at our Best of Europe 2025: VR/AI based Sales and Leadership Training - Client case study

Silvio Ballerini of S-iBA Vision will present at ​our Best of Europe 2025: XR & AI, a virtual LinkedIn Live event on March 27 with 1000s of attendees. 

S-iBA’s purpose is to provide innovative, efficient and sustainable skill-building solutions. S-iBA Vision has established itself as a leading provider of innovative, customizable and easy-to-integrate training solutions for B2B enterprises, particularly in the development and training of sales and leadership professionals. The concept builds on a combination of VIRTRACON™ and the involvement of very experienced trainers. VIRTRACON™ is an interactive VR/AI learning solution. It is a classroom-simulating, highly engaging Learning Experience Concept for lasting soft skill improvement.  

Why to attend the S-iBA Vision pitch at our Best of Europe 2025 event?

In this session, we will dive into a concrete client case with a customized learning journey, designed and delivered by S-iBA Vision. We will show, how professionals learn best by applying VR/AI technology as a key part of comprehensive learning journeys, thus maximizing the Return on Learning.   

Join S-iBA Vision at the VR/AR Best of Europe 2025 virtual LinkedIn Live event !

This is an essential session for L&D experts, Academy Leaders, People & Commercial Excellence Leaders, CEOs, CHROs and CSOs who are looking for new solutions to upskill their professionals in a very efficient way.

Catch the in-depth video on all the new announcements made by Sony’s XR team at CES 2025!

Catch the in-depth video on all the new announcements made by Sony’s XR team at CES 2025! Watch as Thaisa Yammamura from Sony walks you through all the exciting announcements & demos for our VRARA OC Chapter President; Arvin Tehrani.. The interviews and demos were recorded in 3D and provide an unforgettable immersive experience with Dolby Vision 3D video on Apple Vision Pro and 4K 3D video on Youtube VR.

Watch on VRARA YouTube

Apple Vision Pro (use link directly): https://cdn.immersivemedialabs.com/immersive-hls/CES25_SonyFeature/CES25_SonyFeature.m3u8 

Launch our INSEAD XR - AVRIS 𝗜𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗜 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 Platform

Launch our INSEAD XR - AVRIS 𝗜𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗜 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 Platform

AVRIS & INSEAD XR: Achieving a Milestone in Immersive AI Learning

AVRIS, in collaboration with INSEAD XR, has successfully launched its Immersive AI Platform Upgrade at scale. This milestone marks a significant step in the integration of advanced AI and XR technologies within academic environments.

During a recent session, over 300 learners engaged with the platform, utilizing Multi-Modal Learning capabilities. The system enabled seamless transitions between VR headsets, mobile devices, and laptops, supporting diverse learning contexts and environments.

The platform’s development was led by Dror Gill, focusing on infrastructure that facilitates real-time interaction and feedback. This technology has been integrated into Prof. Ithai Stern’s strategy course at INSEAD, providing a practical example of how immersive AI can enhance traditional academic programs.

Key Technical Highlights:
• Multi-Device Compatibility: Learners can switch between VR, mobile, and desktop environments without disruption.
• Real-Time Interaction: Advanced AI algorithms enable immediate feedback and interactive learning experiences.
• Data-Driven Learning Design: The system supports the collection and analysis of key data points to inform personalized learning pathways.

Development Process:
The project emphasized the alignment of technology with educational objectives. This involved selecting appropriate tools, mapping specific learning outcomes, and identifying critical data to measure impact and effectiveness. The focus was on creating an infrastructure that supports meaningful educational experiences through the integration of technology, content, and media.

Next Steps:
As AVRIS looks toward 2025, the focus will shift to expanding the capabilities of the Immersive AI Learning Toolbox. This will include further developments aimed at enhancing both on-campus and remote learning environments.

Acknowledgments

The project’s success reflects the contributions of several key individuals and teams, including INSEAD Dean Francisco Veloso, strategic input on AI and Human-Computer Interaction from Lily Fang, and the operational support of the INSEAD XR Abu Dhabi team, with special recognition to Carole Montias, Dezma D’souza, and Florian Schloderer.

For more information on the technical aspects of this project or to discuss potential collaborations, please reach out to the AVRIS team.

Your Website URL: http://xr.insead.edu

Melinda Cuilty of New Mexico State University joins the VRARA North America Colleges and Universities Committee

Melinda Cuilty of  New Mexico State University joins the VRARA North America Colleges and Universities Committee

The VRARA  is pleased to welcome Melinda Cuilty from NMSU Global as our newest member of the recently established VR/AR Association North America Colleges and Universities Committee.

This newly formed committee is chaired by Thomas Merrick from the University of Miami and will be focused on ecosystem development in the use of XR and AI in higher education across North America.

Melinda Cuilty is an Enterprise Instructional Technology Administrator at NMSU. Leading the VR program at NMSU Global. Melinda has been part of the team that has tripled student enrollment in VR courses since the Fall of 2024. She has also help secured a grant to collaborate with local K-12 teachers, integrating VR technology into their classrooms. Furthermore, Melinda is actively involved in piloting innovative VR applications to enhance the student learning experience. She is helping to pave the way for NMSU Global to start creating digital twins soon.

 “I am incredibly excited that the VRARA has created this committee as a hub for collaboration, creativity, and the promotion of XR in education. I am eager to join the committee and contribute to the exciting programming being planned.” says Melinda.

Thomas Merrick adds “we are at a point where nearly all institutions of higher learning are implementing or evaluating how to leverage the power of immersive technologies.  We need a place where academic professionals can collaborate. I am pleased to have Melinda and NMSU as one of the first members of our North America Committee!”  

This VRARA North America Colleges and Universities Committee is open to all academic institutions to participate in.  Please reach out to Tom Merrick at txm2025@miami.edu xxx or John Cunningham at john@thevrara.com for more information.

Join the VRARA National Public Sector Roadshow. Speakers and Technology Showcase participants wanted!

Join the VRARA National Public Sector Roadshow. Speakers and Technology Showcase participants wanted!

The VRARA Roadshow is designed to inform and educate public sector agencies across the United States and Canada about the capabilities of immersive and artificial intelligence technologies to positively improve operations.

The public sector encompasses nearly every vertical use case such as Defense, Public Safety, Healthcare, Education, Space exploration and Logistics just to name a few.

This conference series started in San Francisco on January 22nd and will continue throughout 2025!  Details are being formalized and will be communicated via the VRARA Website and emailed to people that have registered to speak.  

Some of the cities 

• San Francisco Jan 22nd (completed) 

• Orlando April 9&10 (confirmed) 

• Dallas 

• Houston

• Washington DC

• Atlanta

• San Diego

• Los Angeles

• Denver

• Huntsville 

• New York

• Toronto

If you are interested in speaking or demonstrating at one or more of these events please fill out the google form so that we have you in our list!

https://forms.gle/iPwwoUiG61RyCwHd6

If you have any questions please email john@thevrara.com 

VR/AR Association North America Colleges and Universities Committee Inaugural Meeting: Advancing XR in Higher Education with Meta and University of Miami

Thank you to Tom Merrick, Assistant Director of VR/AR Initiatives at the University of Miami for Chairing the VR/AR Association North America Colleges and Universities Committee and congratulations on your inaugural committee meeting! 

The purpose of this committee is to provide a forum for any college and university in North America to collaborate, conduct joint research, identify and collaborate on grants and to figure out how to accelerate adoption of XR across higher education!

Our first guest speaker was Matthew Sanders, Education and VR Director at Meta who shared with the audience how Meta is preparing to help colleges and universities implement and scale XR with their Meta for Education services.

Matthew shared that they would like to see organizations like the VRARA and institutions like the University of Miami leading these types of initiatives where Meta can learn and support the members!

Thank you Matthew, we look forward to your continued involvement with the VRARA!

The University of Miami will be hosting their annual UMverse "Where Innovation Meets Imagination" conference On February 6&7.

Join industry experts such as Matthew Sanders from Meta, Daniel O'Brien from HTC Vice and John Cunningham from Virtualware along with many other tech visionaries, artists, and university scholars from around the globe in exploring the latest trends and innovations in XR technology.

For more info on UMverse click here:

https://xr.miami.edu/miami-xr-2025/index.html

Josh Meah appointed as Co-Chair for VR/AR Association Training Committee

We are thrilled to have Josh Meah help us lead our Training committee by hosting our weekly online sessions.

Josh is founder and CEO of JM&Co., a growth consultancy with a diverse background in commercializing disruptive ventures across two dozen industries in the private and public sector. Over the past 10 years, Josh’s efforts in workforce development have helped train thousands of truck drivers, broadband technicians, nurses, and clinicians on behalf of governments, colleges, private training centers, hospitals, and companies. Josh also leads technology integration programs for VR and AI in the defense sector and has helped introduce STEM training to children nationwide across hundreds of thousands of hours in digital learning environments.

““Training and leadership are among the best known ways to develop potential, enhance incomes, and improve outcomes. VR training revolutionizes and democratizes skill development, empowering everyone everywhere to be their best, most creative, and most successful versions of themselves. I look forward to sharing insights and facilitating discussions with partners active in the field VR / AR training discipline.””

— Josh Meah