Aditya Mani appointed as Co-Chair of VR/AR Association Retail Committee

We are thrilled to have Aditya Mani help us lead our community for Retail! Join our weekly online sessions!

Aditya Mani is the founder of the YOLOgram Style: A direct to avatar platform where consumers can style their avatars with branded wearables and share immersive stories to social. He has taken a keen interest in showcasing digital fashion on avatars (both brand ambassadors as avatars and consumer avatars). He has actively participated in the retail & metaverse groups at VRARA and has contributed as an author in industry reports for the groups. He is an advisor in AIXR for the Retail Industry focus and also on the Chair of the Digital Fashion Group of Metaverse Standards Forum. Keenly looking at the digital fashion world from the lens of AR (body tracking), metaverse (persistent embodiments on avatars) and 3d commerce as well as playable commerce (showcasing fashion in gaming platforms). Aditya is also on the Advisory Board of the Metaverse Fashion Council. He also serves as Expert Faculty on the National Institute of Robotics and AI.

“I am excited to co-chair the retail committee because the era of Spatial Computing is finally here & retail brands can win in this new world!”

— Aditya Mani, Founder & CEO: YOLOgram

Job Opportunities with VRARA Member Sony Electronics Inc.

VRARA member Sony Electronics Inc. is looking for the risk-takers, the collaborators, the inspired and the inspirational. We want the people who are brave enough to work at the cutting edge and create solutions that will enrich and improve the lives of people across the globe. In addition to competitive pay and benefits, we offer an environment and culture that promotes Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.  In addition, our team members enjoy innovative work-life balance opportunities including a hybrid home/office workplace, monthly “Free Fridays”, and early shutdowns on Fridays throughout the year (including half-days during the summer).

So, if you want to join a “Best Place to Work” company and make the world say wow, let's talk.

We are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Sr. XR (Extended Reality) Co-Marketing Specialist to join our dynamic XR team. As an XR Co-Marketing Specialist, you will play a crucial role in developing and executing co-marketing initiatives for our XR products and solutions. This role requires a deep understanding of the XR industry, strong analytical skills, and the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive successful marketing campaigns.

Additionally, we are seeking a proactive and results-driven XR (Extended Reality) Business Development Specialist to join our dynamic team. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of XR technologies, strong business acumen, and a proven track record in developing and nurturing strategic partnerships within the XR ecosystem. As an XR Business Development Specialist, you will play a pivotal role in expanding our market presence and driving revenue growth through the establishment of key partnerships and collaborations.

Apply today!

Central Florida Immersive Technology Summit to be Held at Full Sail University April 11-12, 2024

WINTER PARK, FL – March 7, 2024 – The VR/AR Association Central Florida Chapter is proud to present the 2nd annual Central Florida Immersive Technology Summit on Thursday, April 11 and Friday, April 12, 2024, hosted on Full Sail University’s campus. The event welcomes technologists, business leaders and job seekers alike. The Central Florida Immersive Technology Summit is a two-day conference that explores the future impact of VR/AR technologies, business strategies, and solutions. The free event is open to the public and advance registration is required. 

“We are honored to host the VR/AR Association Central Florida Chapter once again for its second ever Central Florida Immersive Technology Summit,” said Dr. Haifa Maamar, Executive Director of Emerging Technologies at Full Sail University. “As an integral part of the region’s vibrant tech scene, we at Full Sail are thrilled to host the event and welcome the tech community to campus. Our aim is to facilitate networking opportunities and host career events that unite individuals, ultimately bolstering the tech ecosystem.”

The two-day event will include a robust technology expo where companies will highlight innovative technology solutions, a career fair where attendees can take advantage of networking opportunities with various tech-focused employers, as well as a plethora of industry technology and educational speaking tracks and panels. The summit expects to attract participants from a variety of industries including technology, aerospace, healthcare, entertainment & travel, sports & fitness, and higher education.

“Many of the world’s leaders in immersive technology will be coming to share their technology and meet with companies and individuals from the Central Florida region to explore how we can collaborate and address the growing global demand for immersive technologies and solutions.  This is our second year of this event, and it will be bigger and better than last year and cover 2 full days,” said John Cunningham, COO, VR/AR Association. 

Check out the event homepage to register and learn more about the 2nd annual Central Florida Immersive Technology Summit.

###

About Full Sail University: 

Full Sail University is an award-winning educational leader for those pursuing careers in entertainment media and emerging technologies. Founded in 1979, Full Sail has received numerous accolades throughout its 45-year history, including most recently being named a 2023 "Top Game Design School" by The Princeton Review, and recognized as the 2022-2023 "School of the Year" by the Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges.  

Full Sail University is a graduate and undergraduate degree-granting institution offering on-campus and online degree programs in areas related to Art & Design, Business, Film & Television, Games, Media & Communications, Music & Recording, Sports, and Technology. With over 96,353 graduates worldwide, Full Sail alumni have worked on countless award-winning projects with individual recognition including Oscar®, Emmy®, Grammy®, Addy® and The Game Award honors.

About the VR/AR Association – Central Florida Chapter: 

The VR/AR Association (VRARA) is an international organization where XR meets reality, designed to foster collaboration between solution providers and end-users that accelerates growth, fosters research and education, helps develop industry best practices, connects member organizations, and promotes the services of member companies.

Media Contacts  

Jakeyla Hawks – Full Sail University Public Relations Manager - jhawks@fullsail.edu - 407-455-0060

VR/AR Association – Central Florida Chapter – orlando@vrara.com 

Virtualware appoints a new USA operations president, John A. Cunningham, to lead the company's growth in the American market

BILBAO, Spain and Orlando, FLORIDA March 4, 2024.– John A. Cunningham has been appointed President of Virtualware USA operations, as Virtualware (EPA: MLVIR), the European leader in enterprise Virtual Reality solutions, starts operations in the country.

As announced recently, expanding into the United States is an important element in the company's 2024-2026 strategy. Around 40% of the company's total 2023 signed contracts value came from the U.S
In the spirit of this strategy, Virtualware aims to expand its presence in the U.S. market to support existing customers and cultivate a robust ecosystem of partners to create innovative training solutions for enterprise customers.

Cunningham will start his tenure immediately and begin working with partners and clients alike to reinforce Virtualware's stance in crucial sectors, including energy or defense, transport, logistics, or health.
He will be based in Orlando.

Prior to joining Virtualware, Cunningham founded and led Unity's Government and Aerospace business. He has a long stint in leadership roles, including at Aruba Networks, Motorola, H.P., and Verizon. His career includes executive leadership roles at Carnegie Global Learning and Carnegie Mellon University.
He served in the U.S. Space Force Association (SFA) as the Director of Special Programs and COO of the VR/AR Association (VRARA).

Virtualware, a Euronext Paris-listed company, has been developing cutting-edge VR solutions for over two decades. It counts with blue chips such as GE Vernova and institutions such as the Spanish Ministry of Defense among its clients.

"John's proven track record in the tech industry and his experience with global SaaS expansion make him the ideal leader for our U.S. operations. We've collaborated for many years, and I'm confident in his ability to drive our expansion strategy forward," said Unai Extremo, CEO of Virtualware.

"I am honored that Virtualware has invited me to lead their U.S. operations. They are proven leaders in the enterprise virtual reality industry, and the VIROO platform is powering some of the leading corporations in energy, transportation, manufacturing, and the military," Cunningham said.
"I believe we are at the "tipping point" for broad adoption of Virtual Reality in the enterprise, and in my opinion, the VIROO platform is the best platform on the market to enable rapid scaling of enterprise VR. Our entry into the US will help accelerate adoption of immersive solutions and create new opportunities for companies who are looking to be solutions providers in this rapidly expanding technology segment" he added.

Headquartered in Bilbao, Spain, Virtualware is a global pioneer in developing virtual reality solutions for major industrial, educational, and healthcare conglomerates. It was listed in Euronext Paris in April 2023. In 2023, the company posted record revenues of 4.52 million euros.
In 2021, Virtualware was acknowledged as the world's most Innovative VR Company.
A recent equity research report by Litchfield Hills' Theodore R. O'Neill posted a Buy Rating and a target price of 10 euros per share.

OCULUM Joins the Virtual Reality Augmented Reality Association

Oculum is proud to announce that it has joined the Virtual Reality Augmented Reality Association (VRARA). The virtual and augmented reality market is expected to exceed $58 billion dollars by 2028, and Oculum’s  OmniUC™ white-label video conferencing and unified communications platforms are poised for integration into the latest Smartglasses, emerging platforms, applications, and technologies.

• A carrier-grade, white-label video conferencing and unified communications platform designed specifically for multi-tenant, multi-party integration applications.  Providing our Partners with enhanced collaboration capabilities makes shared immersive experience to the masses possible. 

• 100% encrypted and fully developed on WebRTC, OmniUC™ requires no apps, plug-ins or downloads and is compatible across all modern browsers and mobile devices.

• Customizable branding enables Partners to set preferred graphical look and feel for their customers with a rich feature set including conferencing, IM/Chat, screen-share, file-share, whiteboard, recording and many others.

About Oculum

Oculum is a PaaS (Platform as a Service) modeled technology leader and innovator of video conferencing & unified communications (UC) platforms for telecom service providers and select technology industry verticals. With the support of 20 years of proven unified communications platform development, 110+ patents, and millions of subscribers, Oculum is uniquely positioned to deliver world-class virtual experiences on any type of user’s device (mobile or browser). For more information about OCULUM, contact info@oculumvc.com or visit www.oculumvc.com.

Unveiling Our Updated Logo: Where XR Meets Reality - A Discussion with VRARA COO John Cunningham and Kevin O' Donovan

Last month, we unveiled our updated logo which includes a tagline “Where XR Meets Reality” and reflects our stated purpose which is a global member community where people come to Grow, Learn and Connect.

Recently, VRARA COO John Cunningham sat down with Kevin O' Donovan to discuss the intention behind our new tagline, as well as our extensive events coming up for our members. Watch the interview below!

Industrial IMMERSIVE Happening THIS week! Learn from & meet with VRARA Executives!

The VRARA is proud to be supporting the 2024 Industrial Immersive Week happening THIS WEEK from March 5-7 at Hyatt Regency West in Houston, Texas. (**VRARA members receive 25% off, email info@thevrara.com to obtain your discount code! **).This conference brings together industrial, energy & engineering immersive tech leaders, software developers and VR / AR / XR, Spatial Computing, 3D and Digital Twins solution providers to share first-hand experience, insight and advice for implementing and scaling immersive tech programs in enterprise operations.

VRARA COO John Cunningham will be presenting the Complex Safety Training for Nuclear in VR - Bridging Physical & Virtual Worlds session on Tuesday, March 5th at 9:30am, and VRARA President Nathan Pettyjohn the “Bridging the Industrial Skilled Workforce Gap with XR & AI” session on Wednesday, March 6 at 2:30pm . Save your spot today, then connect with John and Nathan to schedule a time over the conference to meet together!

Joe Callahan Appointed as VRARA Philadelphia Chapter President.

We are thrilled to welcome Joe Callahan as our VRARA Philadelphia Chapter President!

Specializing in spatial computing within applied systems and enterprise contexts, Joe empowers companies and nonprofits to thrive by deploying advanced integrated enterprise platforms. By providing mobile tools to measure ecosystem impacts, Joe assists enterprise leadership in meticulously organizing their operations. He excels in helping organizations adapt to new technologies, aligning processes with human needs and incentives while minimizing turnover. Through storytelling and collaboration with industry leaders, Joe strengthens morale and facilitates technology adoption.

He also advises government and organizational leaders on cost-effective enterprise solutions, driving rapid deployment and implementation to ensure business evolution and survival. Proficient in developing interoperable applications for various platforms, Joe cater to businesses, governments, social service organizations, and manufacturers striving for growth and efficiency.

'm honored to be appointed as the President of the Philadelphia chapter of VRARA, as I strongly believe in the potential of our city to lead the way in XR innovation. The Philadelphia area boasts a thriving ecosystem in applied systems and the construction industry, which distinguishes us from other regions. Leveraging our region's rich history of advancements in telecom, aerospace, defense, life sciences, transportation, and retail, we have a solid foundation upon which to build our XR initiatives. Our diverse community of experts and professionals brings together a wealth of knowledge and experience, making Philadelphia uniquely positioned to drive the next wave of AR/VR collaboration, creativity, and adoption on a global scale.

With a strategic focus on harnessing our collective strengths and fostering collaboration across industries, the Philadelphia chapter of VRARA aims to propel the evolution of XR technologies. By tapping into our local talent pool and nurturing innovation, we can pave the way for groundbreaking applications of AR/VR in fields such as construction, manufacturing, healthcare, and beyond. Together, we are poised to showcase Philadelphia as a frontrunner in XR innovation, making significant contributions to the advancement of these transformative technologies.- Joe Callahan

Join us in welcoming Joe to the team!

3spin Learning Partners with Apple and Lufthansa Group

Get to see Lufthansa and 3spin Learning speak at our Best of Europe: XR, AI, Immersive Tech event on March 21!

Guest post from VRARA member from Thomas Hoger of 3spin Learning.

One of the most exciting projects we have been working on over the last few months is finally public and I’m happy to share a glimpse into the journey we've embarked on.

Great communication is key – especially above the clouds. However, some situations can be difficult to deescalate. Everyone reacts differently and training requires a lot of variety & repetition. Traditionally, soft skill training has been constrained by the limitations of mostly analog methods and predictable scenarios.

Our latest initiative brings us in an era where the digital and physical realms converge, creating immersive, unpredictable training experiences that were once unimaginable. By utilizing AI to simulate a range of passenger reactions, we provide a dynamic training environment that fully adjusts to learners' responses. No training is the same.

Thanks to the advanced capabilities of Apple's Vision Pro in Spatial Computing we can display authentic scenarios by merging virtual characters with the real-world setting of the Lufthansa Aviation Training Center, thus allowing for unparalleled interaction between learners and trainers inside and outside of the headset.

For us, this was not just a project – it pushed us to make a giant leap in our product development by integrating advanced AI functionality at the very core. Our platform's no-code capability has been at the technical heart of this innovation, enabling organizations to create such training experiences without the complexities of programming.

With their commitment and requirements, the Lufthansa Group has always been a driving force behind our innovation. In 2015, when we were still active as a digital agency and developed the first mobile Virtual Reality pilot training ever, the results inspired Oliver and me to focus entirely on Immersive Technologies and ultimately establish 3spin Learning.

Years of collaboration have brought us to this moment, and I am convinced this breakthrough is set to transform the landscape of soft skill training, making fully personalized, immersive learning accessible to all.

Thank you to the amazing teams at Lufthansa Aviation Training, Apple and 3spin Learning.

The World Web 3 Conference (TWC) Gathers the Brightest Minds in Tech for an Event in Orlando, Florida, on March 8 and 9, 2024

(ORLANDO, Fla.) - The World Web 3 Conference (TWC) is set to host a gathering of visionaries, tech enthusiasts and industry leaders at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando, Fla., on March 8 and 9, 2024. This two-day event promises to be a unique opportunity for attendees to delve deep into the world of crypto, AI, blockchain, NFTs, Metaverse and Web 3.0 technologies. 

TWC Conference is proud to welcome individuals and businesses alike to join for two days of groundbreaking discussions, enlightening panels and interactive Q&A sessions. With a lineup of over six tracks dedicated to AI, blockchain, NFTs, Metaverse/Gaming, Crypto, and more, TWC Conference is committed to providing invaluable insights that aim to help propel its attendees’ ventures to new heights. 

"At the TWC Conference, we believe in the power of education and practical application. Our mission is to showcase how Web3 technology can be integrated into everyday life and businesses. By harnessing the potential of Blockchain, Metaverse, Cryptocurrency, NFT Utilities, and AI Automation, we aim to empower our attendees with the knowledge they need to thrive in the digital age. Our attendees can expect multiple networking opportunities, entertainment and education," said Jason Touhey, Cofounder of the TWC Conference. 

The event kicks off on March 8 with attendee registration from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. In the evening, ticket holders are invited to join a CryptosRUs & TWC Networking Mixer at Club 3NINE, located at the Rosen Plaza. This exclusive gathering provides an opportunity to meet George Tung, creator and YouTube star of CryptosRUs, along with other influential figures in the crypto and Web3 space. The Mixer runs from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m., promising a night of VIP networking and collaboration. 

On March 9, the conference begins at 8 a.m., offering attendees a diverse range of experiences. VIP pass holders will be treated with an exclusive Saturday VIP Dinner at Jack's Place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. This premier steakhouse on International Drive offers an unforgettable dining experience, complete with the opportunity to rub shoulders with conference speakers, celebrity guests and fellow VIPs. 

As the conference concludes on March 9 at 6:00 p.m., attendees can anticipate a memorable finale with a live performance by Goldie Heart on the main stage. The TWC Club 3NINE After Party, taking place on Saturday, March 9, from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m., promises an unforgettable club experience for all ticket

holders. From the poolside bar to the vibrant atmosphere, attendees will enjoy a night of celebration with fellow Web3 enthusiasts. 

Tickets for The World Web 3 Conference are available now, and early registration is recommended to secure your spot at this premier tech event. Visit our website at https://theworldconference.io/ to purchase tickets. VRARA members receive a free all access HODLer 2-DAY PASS! Email info@thevrara.com to obtain QR code.

About The World Web 3 Conference (TWC): 

The World Web 3 Conference (TWC) is a leading tech conference dedicated to exploring the possibilities of Web3 technology. With a focus on AI, blockchain, NFTs, Metaverse and Web 3.0 technologies, TWC Conference brings together industry experts, thought leaders and enthusiasts for an immersive educational experience. For tickets and more information please visit https://theworldconference.io/.

Lufthansa Aviation Training and 3spin Learning develop AI-backed crew training with Apple Vision Pro

Get to see Lufthansa speak during our Best of Europe: XR, AI, Immersive Tech event on March 21!

• Vision Pro opens a new chapter in digital training design
• Lufthansa Aviation Training (LAT) is investigating the future of AI-backed training for airline crews
• The benefits of physical and virtual environments are combined in realistic scenarios

In close collaboration with Apple and 3spin Learning

Lufthansa Aviation Training (LAT) is taking crew training to a new dimension. While crew training has traditionally been done analogically and without surprises for students, concepts will evolve significantly in the future with the help of Apple's Vision Pro based on its advanced technology. The jointly developed application will initially focus on interpersonal skills training.

Virtual Reality (VR)

has played an important role in LAT's training routine for several years. Currently, 20,000 training sessions per year are carried out in two virtual reality centers in Frankfurt and Munich, contributing to greater training efficiency and cost savings. The fusion of the virtual world and reality has been limited, but Apple's Vision Pro opens up new possibilities based on available technology.

As the world's first application in the field of aeronautical training

Specific de-escalation training has been carried out for Vision Pro. This scenario is particularly suitable because it allows the simulation of variable situational behaviors of passengers using Artificial Intelligence (AI) taking into account the reactions of the crews. Before the official launch in the US in early February, Apple provided the opportunity to extensively test the designed software.

Spatial computing

The training uses Apple's innovative Vision Pro features in "Spatial Computing" to represent realistic situations in an overlay of the virtual cockpit environment and the real world in the training center. By integrating AI algorithms, the learning content is highly individualized and tailored to the needs of the learners and therefore allows for effective and efficient training.

Trainees receive real-time feedback from instructors, who also have the ability to adjust situations and passenger behavior. The ultimate goal is to individually promote the required competencies of the crews. No two training sessions are the same.

Senior Director of Aeronautical Training Development, Lufthansa Group

“We are excited about the new possibilities offered by Apple's Vision Pro. LAT aims to actively unlock the potential of this advanced technology for aviation training.” (Gilad Scherpf)

Co-founder of 3spin Learning

“The combination of AI and Spatial Computing heralds a paradigm shift for the formation of social skills. Since such courses no longer have to be laboriously programmed thanks to our authoring tool, I expect rapid dissemination of this learning method.” (Thomas Hoger)

The ongoing collaboration aims to validate, further optimize and integrate the concept into existing training concepts. In addition to the initial use case, additional scenarios can be developed and implemented based on the customer's needs in the short term.

Welcome to the Future of Education and Learning! (Video)

This video presents Travancore Analytics' Metaverse AR solution to transform how students and teachers can collaborate and interact in real time. Imagine a scenario where the teachers and students can come together from any location and come together and seamlessly explore and discuss the chapter on human anatomy. Users have the freedom to engage with different parts of the skeleton, manipulating it as they please to gain deeper insights into anatomical structures and functions.
The users can visualize bones, joints, and organs in stunning detail, enhancing their understanding and facilitating more effective communication among team members.

But the experience doesn't stop there. Integrated audio and textual descriptions provide invaluable context, guiding users through each element of the skeleton and offering educational insights along the way. Whether it’s a student in school or for an advanced medical student learning about anatomy or a team of experts collaborating on a complex case, our solution empowers users to explore, learn, and interact in ways that were previously unimaginable.

One virtual skeleton at a time, welcome to the future of education!

See Lufthansa, Volvo, Hugo Boss, TUV Nord, WURTH, Mondelez, others speak at our Best of Europe on March 21

We are looking forward to our Best of Europe: XR, AI, Immersive Tech event on March 21! Our event will bring together key leaders & innovators in the XR, AI, and immersive tech space in Europe, offering unique insights and perspectives on the latest developments in the industry, including spatial computing and Apple Vision Pro. Our speakers include Lufthansa, Volvo, Mondelez, Hugo Boss, TUV Nord, WURTH, and 20+ others.

We are hosting our event on LinkedIn Live. We chose LinkedIn Live as our platform because of the huge reach of LinkedIn, 1 Billion users! We expect 1000s to participate in our event and already have 1800+ registered. You will be able to network and connect with the speakers and attendees during the 3.5 hour event. Participants include Zeiss, Siemens, Airbus, Allianz, BMW, Bosch, Deutsche Telekom, Merck, Meta, Microsoft, Novo Nordisk, Sony, Volkswagen others!

See the Speakers and the preliminary Program, and register here​

Featured Speakers include:

• Gilad Scherpf, Lufthansa Group

• Timmy Ghiurau, Volvo

• Gregory Hough & Alison Bingham, Mondelēz

• Kerem Torun, Hugo Boss

• Rahel Lorenzen, Sofatutor

• Silvia Arnoldi, WURTH

• More to be confirmed soon!

• And 20+ speakers, see here​

If interested to speak or sponsor, please email kris@thevrara.com

Thank you, and see you (virtually) on March 21!

VRARA Partners with Industrial IMMERSIVE Week

The VRARA is proud to be supporting the 2024 Industrial Immersive Week on March 5-7 at Hyatt Regency West in Houston, Texas. VRARA members receive 25% off ,email info@thevrara.com to obtain your discount code!

For the sixth year in a row, the Industrial XR Forum is returning to bring together industrial, energy & engineering immersive tech leaders, software developers and VR / AR / XR, Spatial Computing, 3D and Digital Twins solution providers to share first-hand experience, insight and advice for implementing and scaling immersive tech programs in enterprise operations.

VRARA President Nathan Pettyjohn will be leading the “Bridging the Industrial Skilled Workforce Gap with XR & AI” session on Wednesday, March 6 at 2:30pm. Save your spot today!

XPANCEO to develop first laboratory optic testing system to accelerate smart contact lens production worldwide

XPANCEO, a deep tech company that is developing the first smart contact lenses with XR vision, health monitoring, and content surfing features, has announced a successful proof of concept for the world’s first augmented reality holographic lens testing system, marking an essential step towards progressing from Apple Vision Pro to the next generation of computing – XR smart contact lenses. The system allows for the reproduction of AR experiences in various situations such as sports, gaming, navigation, enabling safe immediate tests without the necessity of trials on humans. Moreover, the company assessed the production cost for this setup, which will be approximately just $100,000. 

According to Dr. Valentyn S. Volkov, XPANCEO’s co-founder and scientist with an h-Index of 38 and over 8000 citations in leading international publications, “The primary focus for us during this year will be the production of new prototypes and enhancing the current ones, so such optic testing system is a pivotal step towards the first all-in-one XR smart contact lenses. This system will allow XR industry players to evaluate such parameters as the field of view, the brightness of the virtual image, the gradient of intensity across the field, changes in image contrast due to the different weather conditions, and more, which will speed up the development process and may lead to growth in the smart lenses market. ”

The startup has the proof of concept ready for implementation, with an estimated 8 months development period for the device. Currently, there is only one device on the market with relatively similar functionality to test AR and VR glasses. This device can only test 30% of the necessary parameters and costs approximately $300,000. Testing all these parameters is essential before declaring that the product meets all the requirements and is ready for clinical trials and market launch. XPANCEO’s testing device fully meets the requirements to test all essential parameters. This installation is crucial for objectively evaluating lens prototypes and understanding the quality of the reproduced image, marking a significant advancement in research for the whole industry.

This setup will be able to evaluate the following key parameters for testing smart contact lenses:

• Field of View (FOV) 

• The brightness of the virtual image. The calculation can be based on the projector's brightness or hologram DLE. Optical system transmittance can be measured by gauging power. Calibration to the brightness of a pixel in the virtual image (e.g., screen-diffuser) with a measured brightness allows for the measurement of absolute brightness. This requires a stable source and an opaque black hood (housing) over the entire measuring system.

• Contrast, a metric reflecting the ratio of the brightness of the green color of the image to the background. This requires a camera, a lux meter, a white screen with a diffuser, and a dimmer with altered power.

• The gradient of intensity across the field (digital image processing). This parameter helps determine the permissible percentage of the gradient.

• Line sharpness (cross-section). This assesses the image’s sharpness.

• The micro projector’s permissible angle of inclination.

• Changes in image contrast during various weather conditions.

Five Days Only, Free Course for VRARA Members: How to Build and Publish Your Mixed Reality Game on Meta's App Lab

In collaboration with Meta, XR Bootcamp launched its first Mixed Reality course on Udemy in December. Now boasting over 4,300 students, the course centers on the Mixed Reality game GorillaZilla, designed to instruct on developing Mixed Reality games using Unity and the Meta Presence Platform. ***XR Bootcamp is offering this course free for VRARA Members. Email info@thevrara.com between February 21-26th to obtain discount code.****

How to Create Mixed Reality GorillaZilla Games with Meta

If you're thinking whether you could create your own Mixed Reality game like GorillaZilla, the free course offers instruction on using Unity and the Meta Presence Platform to craft an engaging Mixed Reality experience, and further guides you through publishing on the App Lab. For aspiring developers, publishing a project and gathering feedback and reviews from players will prove to be invaluable assets for your career.

What’s Special About GorillaZilla?

The game uses the Mixed Reality Capabilities of Meta’s Presence Platform that will all be taught in the course. This includes: 

• Passthrough

• Scene Understanding

• Smart Object Positioning

• Hand Tracking

• Controller Support

• Interactions

• Movement

• Body Tracking

• Eye Tracking

• Face Tracking

• Voice and Audio Detection

What You'll Learn

You will learn how to create a Mixed Reality Game in Your Living Room with Meta's Presence Platform.

Specifically, you will:

• Learn to use Passthrough, Scene Capture, and Scene Model.

• Integrate spatialized audio for an immersive audio experience.

• Learn to use Spatial Anchors and position content across sessions in your home.

• Learn to use Interaction SDK, Hand Tracking, Voice SDK, Tracked Keyboard, and Audio SDK

• Use Movement SDK to track your body, face, and eyes and enhance your social experience.

• Prepare and release your Mixed Reality game on Meta's App Lab.

Have You Played GorillaZilla Yet?

Turn your entire living room into a concrete jungle and experience being a raging monster as you’re attacked by humanity!

Key Features:

• Engage in an epic battle across your whole apartment.

• Defend yourself precisely in a 360-degree battlefield as enemies close in from all directions.

• Use your hands to grab, smash, and throw objects with precision

• Roar like a Gorillazilla and eat magic donuts to double your strength!

The game is optimized for Quest 3 but can be also comfortably playable on Quest 2. Please note that this is a demo game, crafted to facilitate learning through the Mixed Reality Course on Udemy.

Play GorillaZilla from Meta Quest App Lab.

Who is behind GorillaZilla?

Creator of GorillaZilla:

Stephen Rogers is a developer and innovator in the VR/AR space, and a winner of the Meta Presence Platform Hackathon with his title "Submersed". Celebrated as one of the Top XR Enablers. Rogers has founded 4th Wall Breakers, a video game studio dedicated to creating unique VR and AR titles. His work includes Brushwork VR and Pillow, nominated as one of the Most Innovative Apps on the Meta Quest store. He is also working on CoasterMania, a Mixed Reality game that has become a viral sensation.

Instructor of Mixed Reality Udemy course:

Sean Ong is a thought leader with publications on a range of topics from holographic computing to the economics of clean energy systems. Co-founding several XR startups, including Laborbot and Manuvr Entertainment Inc., Ong's YouTube channel @SeanOng boasts over 50k subscribers. Since 2020, he has been a Master Trainer at XR Bootcamp, supported by a team of Meta engineers to develop this course.

Reviews and Feedback from Students

Here are genuine testimonials from our Mixed Reality course students of various levels on how it helped their project development.

"I just completed the course, and it was truly fantastic! The course was carefully designed to meet the expectations of anyone interested in Mixed Reality. Not only did the content provide valuable information, but it also allowed us to reinforce concepts with engaging practical examples. One of the greatest advantages of the course was the clarity in explaining topics and the abundance of practical examples that made it easy to apply the learned knowledge. Meta’s Presence Platform serves as an excellent starting point for those looking to develop their Mixed Reality projects." - Hüseyin E., Unity Developer

"Step by step processes is awesome. The instructor has structured the course so that it's simple to follow along, even if you're a beginner. He helps you understand exactly what you're doing, why you have to follow that step, and alternatives related to the step. In that way, you're learning more about the various technical capabilities and limitations of the system, and creates a better understanding of the full end to end process. I'm really enjoying this course so far" - Chesway Slabbert, User Experience Researcher at Human Computer Interaction (HCI)

"Completed a new course based on the latest Mixed Reality implementation with the Meta Quest 3 and their Presence Platform. Thank you so much XR Bootcamp for setting this up in an easy to follow manner. Next steps would be to create my own experiments in XR!" - Mohit S, Spatial UX Designer at Palatial

About XR Bootcamp

XR Bootcamp is a global online academy, offering skill-to-job beginner and advanced XR development courses. Curricula are developed and taught by award-winning VR, AR, and MR professionals. XR Bootcamp's cutting-edge courses are for designers, game developers, managers, and coders who want to learn how to prototype XR Applications and learn AR, VR, and MR development. XR Bootcamp further supports the XR Creators community with free and open access to knowledge, peer-to-peer learning, and networking opportunities. XR Bootcamp is proud that alumni leave outstanding reviews and work at companies like HP, Autodesk, Accenture, Samsung, Snap, Lockheed Martin, Harvard, USC, and Carnegie Mellon University.

https://xrbootcamp.com/

VRdirect Introduces AI to Revolutionize Virtual Reality Project Creation

Munich, February 19th, 2024 - VRdirect, a pioneer in the Virtual Reality (VR) software sector, today unveiled an advanced AI feature within the VRdirect Studio software, setting a new standard in VR project creation. This transformative generative AI feature allows users to produce 360° images for VR projects directly within VRdirect Studio, eliminating the conventional need for camera-captured 360° scenes.

This leap forward in creative process simplification is poised to deliver substantial business impact for VRdirect customers. By significantly reducing the time and resources required to create immersive VR experiences, businesses can now even more rapidly deploy engaging VR content, enhancing customer engagement and driving increased revenue opportunities.

Transforming Ideas into Immersive Experiences

 The VRdirect Studio's new "AI Background" button simplifies the creation of 360° images. Users just input a scene description – also known as prompt – and the artificial intelligence generates the image, offering five unique styles for full customization out of the box. This feature empowers creators to design 360° images that align with their project's aesthetic and objectives seamlessly.

Incorporating these images into VR scenes, along with interactive elements such as videos and buttons, creators can swiftly progress from concept to completion. This not only enhances the creative experience but also accelerates the production cycle, enabling businesses to quickly respond to market demands and customer expectations.

Value Creation for Businesses

By streamlining the content creation process, companies can focus on storytelling and immersive content strategies without the technical barriers traditionally associated with VR production. This ease of use invites a broader range of industries to explore and integrate VR solutions, from training and onboarding to showrooms and virtual tours, thereby expanding their digital presence and engagement strategies.

Moreover, this innovation allows for the cost-effective scaling of VR projects. Businesses can produce a higher volume of VR content without the need for expensive equipment or specialized skills, dramatically lowering the entry barrier for high-quality VR content production. The ability to quickly iterate and customize VR experiences enables companies to offer tailored experiences to their customers, fostering deeper connections and enhancing brand loyalty. 

All these VR experiences are seamlessly accessible through a native application on the most popular VR headsets (including Meta, HTC, and Pico), in addition to iOS and Android devices, and even via any web browser. This integration ensures that scaling VR projects is more efficient and user-friendly than ever before.

A little gaze into the Future

"VRdirect's commitment to enhancing its suite of AI-powered tools underscores the company's dedication to innovation and customer success. As VR technology continues to evolve, VRdirect is at the forefront, offering solutions that not only meet the current demands of VR content creation but also anticipate future trends and opportunities." comments Dr. Rolf Illenberger, CEO of VRdirect, regarding the new function.

About VRdirect

The Munich based tech company VRdirect (www.vrdirect.com) is is a leading developer of virtual reality software, simplifying the creation and distribution of immersive VR experiences. With a focus on user-friendly solutions, VRdirect democratizes VR content creation, enabling businesses across various industries to bring their virtual visions to life effortlessly.

VRdirect enables enterprises to create VR projects without prior skills or training (think “Powerpoint for VR”) and share VR projects across a wide range of ecosystems ranging from web-browser to iOS and Android smartphones and tablets as well as VR headsets from Meta, Pico and HTC.

VRdirect supports enterprise customers along the entire process of developing and implementing global-scale VR strategies and roll-out.

For further information, please contact:

Carsten Lackner
Managing Director

carsten.lackner@vrdirect.com
www.vrdirect.com

See the Preliminary Program & Speakers for our Best of Europe: XR, AI, Immersive Tech

We are looking forward to our Best of Europe, a virtual event on March 21 with 30+ speakers!

The event is hosted here on LinkedIn Live. We chose LinkedIn Live as our platform because of the huge reach of LinkedIn, 1B users! You will also be able to network and connect with the Speakers and Viewers during the 3.5 hours of our event. We expect 1000s to participate in our event and already have 1700 registered. As we know with virtual events, majority register the day of the event!

If interested to speak or sponsor, please email kris@thevrara.com

Participants include Volvo, Zeiss, Siemens, Mondelez, Hugo Boss, Airbus, Allianz, BMW, Bosch, Deutsche Telekom, Merck, Meta, Microsoft, Novo Nordisk, Sony, Volkswagen, others!

Our event will bring together key leaders and innovators in the immersive tech, spatial computing space in Europe, offering unique insights and perspectives on the latest developments in the industry. Join us for best and brightest in VR, AR, and other cutting-edge technologies shaping the future of the digital world.

FEATURED SPEAKERS & PROGRAM:

Gilad Scherpf, Lufthansa Group

Apple Vision Pro: Game Changer for XR Acceptance? An Aviation Use Case

Timmy Ghiurau, Volvo

Talk title: Snap back to reality, here comes gravity.

Talk description: The automotive industry is one of the first to fully embrace mixed reality, and is already changing the way cars are engineered, designed, repaired, sold and driven. However, we are only scratching the surface of unlocking the full potential of the XR technology within the automotive ecosystem. As technologies like hardware, infrastructure and visualization further develop, the industry will see a democratization of benefits affecting everything from sustainability to safety.

Donato De Ieso, Co-Founder & CEO of dilium. Plus, Apple Enterprise Italy!

Spatial Collaboration: Revolutionizing Teamwork with Apple Vision Pro

Future of collaborative innovation with our groundbreaking solution - Immersive Collaboration. This approach seamlessly integrates 3D prototyping into collaborative environments, fostering creativity and efficiency. Client is a famous Italian luxury brand! Co-presenter is Apple Enterprise Italy 👏

Danny de Bruijn, Co-Founder and CXO, Warp VR and Ana Ilievska, Warp VR

How to use AI to Create Story-Based Immersive Learning Scenarios

AI is transforming so many sectors, including the training industry. There are many ways AI can assist in creating, playing and analyzing immersive training programs. In this talk, we will focus on how AI can help to create these training programs, specifically looking at story-based and branching narratives. After this talk you know which prompts to use to help you create realistic and engaging branching scenarios with clear learning goals. We will share several examples and help you get started quickly to embrace this exciting technology.

Antonio Squeo, Co-Founder, Hevolus

Synergizing AI and XR: Pioneering Future Business Innovations

The session explores the convergence of AI and XR in shaping innovative business solutions. Once viewed as distinct—AI, misunderstood and underutilized, and XR, narrowly associated with the Metaverse—both technologies have now captured the market's imagination. The simplicity of ChatGPT has unlocked AI's potential, while advancements in XR devices, including Apple's Vision Pro headset launch, signal a revitalized interest in immersive experiences. We'll discuss how AI and XR can transition from competing technologies to collaborative forces, offering businesses novel ways to engage customers and revolutionize processes. Discover how this synergy can lead to creating unparalleled experiences and driving future innovation. The Customer is WURTH.

Thomas Hoger, Co-Founder, 3spin Learning with TÜV NORD

No-Code & AI: Now everyone can be an XR creator

Gregory Hough & Alison Bingham, Mondelēz

The Consumer and XR: Using XR to Understand Consumer Behavior

XR opens up different ways of understanding the consumer and their behavior in the FMCG space. What can be done to enable a deeper knowledge of the consumer using XR and how can it integrate with current research methodologies?

Rahel Lorenzen, Sofatutor & Tom Kolokithas, Tomako

Enabling Meaningful Remote Team Events With VR

We will show how the edtech company Sofatutor is using the Meta Quest 3 for remote team events and what results survey data shows us.

Prof. Tsinakos & Chrysoula Lazou, IHU

Immersive Educational Ecosystem

Real cases of Immersive Studies and applications from the school environment to PostDoc Research. Sharing best practices and success stories of studying in the metaverse.

Fabio Codebue, Creartivity.io

ArtShell WebXR for Museums

A solution developed for Artshell. Artshell is a fully integrated art management system, designed for galleries, collectors and artists that allows the creation of exhibitions in VR, such as Ecoedile Virtual Exhibition, via a simple web interface.  Case study: Nembrini's Private Collection

Kerem Torun, Hugo Boss

See more here