Matthew Dias Announced at VRARA Boston Chapter President

We are thrilled to welcome Matthew Dias as the VRARA Boston Chapter President!

Matt first developed a passion for AR while working at a digital agency in Boston, creating interactive mobile apps for visitors in public venues.  He later founded Lingar, a mobile AR app for museum goers with curated digital content, activated by geolocation and object recognition.

He then joined Australia’s JigSpace, as Director of Sales and Marketing for North America. Highlighted annually for ARKit in Apple’s WWDC, JigSpace is a creator platform for enterprise clients to easily deploy interactive 3D and AR product demonstrations.

Matt currently serves as a Mixed Reality Solutions Specialist for SphereGen Technologies in New Haven, CT providing interactive training programs for manufacturers using the HoloLens.

When he’s not in the Industrial Metaverse, he is an advisor to Reading XR, a company on a mission to improve literacy rates through early intervention by harnessing the power of eye-tracking systems in the HoloLens 2.

“I look forward to helping to grow VRARA’s Boston Chapter community by connecting and building relationships with thought leaders in spatial computing. Arguably, Boston has some of the best minds, and innovators in the AR/VR ecosystem and fostering collaboration between individuals, intuitions and brands to advance our industry will be foremost.”- Matthew Dias

UL Solutions Issues First Virtual, Augmented and Mixed-Reality Technology Equipment Safety Certification for Magic Leap 2

UL Solutions’ new testing and certification service helps manufacturers mitigate the unique safety risks associated with virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed-reality products.

UL Solutions announced that Magic Leap 2 is the first device to achieve certification to ANSI/CAN/UL 8400, the world’s first safety standard dedicated to spatial computing and extended reality equipment safety. UL Solutions’ new service helps manufacturers mitigate the unique safety risks associated with virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed-reality products.

Click here to read the rest of the story.

SkyTG24 interviews VRARA Italy Chapter President on Metaverse

Guest Post by VRARA Italy Chapter President Lorenzo Montagna:

On Saturday morning I had the opportunity to participate in the live broadcast of Sky TG24 to talk about Metaverse: you can find attached an excerpt and the full version in the first comment!

I would like to reiterate that the Metaverse is not synonymous with video games, NFTs, virtual reality, but it is the concept of an evolved digital world where, thanks to WEB 3.0 technology, we enter the spaces to live new experiences, new content thanks to a pool of technologies including those mentioned above, as well as AR, cloud, MR and 5G.

the Metaverse is therefore evidently an evolution of the current relationship we have with screen-mediated technology: technology has in fact improved from the point of view of speed and ubiquity but remains always linked to increasingly smaller screens.

The Metaverse will therefore be a reappropriation of the "outside" world, of "space" as Apple says, with technology superimposed or even replacing the real one. For this reason, this complex ecosystem cannot be created by a single company and in a few months.

As far as artificial intelligence is concerned - as I say to Sky - I think we have reached a dangerous point of synonymy between artificial intelligence and generative artificial intelligence, which is certainly an impressive part for the possibilities of improving one's work, but which completely diverts attention to deeper issues concerning the role that technology itself will assume between now and the next few years.

What I have not been able to say for reasons of time is that the solutions to be able to use the metaverse and AI combined are really many and that they actually cover an entire so-called value chain: from promotion to communication, from customer relationship to employee training, to sales.

We see this very well as VR/AR Association (VRARA) with a steady growth of investments in VR and AR solutions, i.e. content rather than platforms.

In fact, the problem is that too often companies think of the metaverse as a tactical marketing solution to create simple product launches, perhaps on a young target, and do not realize instead that they have to create a "real" and new world where brand equity is maintained and where there is a very realistic representation of the company.

It is important to underline that in these days the European community is working both to accelerate the creation of a digital identity and for the digital currency: this testifies to the fact that the EEC is strongly committed to the issues of virtual worlds.

PIXO VR Awarded Patent for PIXO Platform

PIXO VR has been granted a patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office for the PIXO platform.

PIXO’s new patent – U.S. patent 7,166,998 – includes design and development of Extended Reality (XR) workplace training Software as a Service (SaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS), and the deployment, management and analytics of XR training software.

“This patent secures PIXO’s place as the industry leader for XR training,” says Sean Hurwitz, CEO and Founder of PIXO. “Our platform has been a differentiator since its launch in 2020. We are continually adding new features to make XR training easier for enterprises, and this is an exciting step in our product roadmap.”

The PIXO platform enables enterprises to easily manage XR programs globally. PIXO offers a vast off-the-shelf VR training library, and the ability to create custom content for an organization’s specific needs. With the PIXO platform, you easily select, deploy, manage and track XR content and users. The platform can be integrated into an existing learning management system for a seamless backend experience.

XPANCEO Raises $40 Million to Launch the First Smart Contact Lenses for AR Vision

40 scientists and engineers from leading universities and research institutions joined forces to create ultra thin, smart contact lenses that will replace bulky AR glasses, and allow humans to use features such as night vision, zoom, health monitoring, and content-watching.

Dubai, UAE, October 16, 2023 — XPANCEO, a deep tech startup, has raised a $40 million seed round to launch the first contact lenses with AR vision features. The round was led by Hong Kong-based Opportunity Ventures (Asia). The funds will be invested to launch the next prototype, in which the company will gather several features in one device. 

After several attempts by other companies to create smart lenses, the XPANCEO team has created and successfully tested in the laboratory three separate prototypes to enable night vision and zoom, real-time health monitoring, and the ability to see video and graphic content in AR. The new device, which is the world’s first ultra thin lens, feels as natural to the wearer as their own vision. It is made of advanced optical materials (including low-dimensional and van der Waals materials), which exhibit record-breaking refractive indices and anisotropy and maintain excellent optical properties. The new device is aimed to unleash the full potential of AR technology by making it accessible and easy to use.

The company was founded by Valentyn S. Volkov, a Ukrainian scientist who boasts over 7000 citations in some of the most respected international media, and Roman Axelrod, an experienced entrepreneur with three previous exits. XPANCEO's multidisciplinary team includes over 50 outstanding scientists, engineers and executive leaders from top universities, research institutions and deep tech companies, and gathers expertise both in science and novel technologies as well as product management and development in complex markets. XPANCEO also collaborates with top scientists from universities all around the globe, such as the Donostia International Physics Center (Spain), Chalmers University of Technology (Sweden), National University of Singapore (Singapore), University of Oviedo (Spain),University of Manchester (UK), Aix-Marseille University (France) and the University of Zaragoza among others to create the first all-in-one prototype by 2026.

Co-founder and Scientific Partner, Valentyn S. Volkov, Ph.D. says: ''We are targeting, at least, the $790 billion Augmented Reality and Contact Lenses market, and creating the first device in the market that will allow us to use all apps and software in a single contact lens interface. Our device will effectively merge all your gadgets into one. XPANCEO was recognized as one of the top five optic laboratories in the world by international consulting firm BCG, and has practical experience in developing and studying unique materials (like graphene and other 2D materials), opening a way for the realization of next-generation ultra-compact optoelectronic devices."

The use of classical optoelectronic materials and technologies has proven insufficient to realise this project, as the resulting components are too bulky to be effectively integrated into a practical and user-friendly contact lens. XPANCEO combines over 20 patented technologies in Advanced Optic and Photonics, Novel material, AI, and Neural Interfacing to create ultra-compact and highly efficient optoelectronic devices in smart contact lenses, paving the way for a gradual transition from traditional silicon technologies to the "graphene valley’’ future.

The high refractive indices, coupled with the giant anisotropy of the materials used in waveguide-based devices, are key factors that enable a more efficient light bending and guiding process compared to modern optical devices. This opens up possibilities for the realisation of ultra-compact optical elements. Another key technology developed by XPANCEO is its flexible and transparent electronics, based on highly conductive quasi-2D metallic films with thicknesses of only a few nanometers. To engage with these technologies, we employ AI to develop models capable of accurate predictions regarding the optical characteristics of similar materials. Neural Interfacing gives the user full control over the applications, without the need for awkward eye movements, blinks, or extra controllers.

Opportunity Venture’s (Asia) Managing Director Philip Ma says: “We led this round of funding as a testament to the fact that XPANCEO has not merely an ambition but also a capacity to deliver on its product vision. We believe that now XPANCEO has all the resources needed to drive their R&D and product design forward, and do it even faster. Opportunity Venture (Asia) sees the potential in XPANCEO to define the next generation of computing and to become a major player in the world of personal tech in the post smartphone era."

###END###

About XPANCEO

XPANCEO is a deep tech company developing the next generation of computing via an invisible and weightless smart contact lens that is as natural to the wearer as their own vision. Our lens reinvents the whole concept of human-technology interaction and redefines the way we experience both the real and digital worlds including social media, content consumption, and gaming. Merging all your gadgets into one, the lens transforms the everyday life into an infinite eXtended Reality experience, replete with advanced real-time health monitoring and comprehensive practical recommendations, superpowers like night vision and zoom, and cutting-edge privacy and security measures.

Press kit https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1lA3Zn9XTcOnlMzgdj-NewKhdCgUtPz5w?usp=sharing

Magic Leap Appoints Ross Rosenberg as Chief Executive Officer

Magic Leap today announced the appointment of Ross Rosenberg, an experienced technology executive, as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, effective November 1. Rosenberg will succeed Peggy Johnson, who is stepping down as the Company completes its pivot to the enterprise and moves toward expanding commercial adoption of its Augmented Reality (AR) platform technology.

Rosenberg is a seasoned operating, strategy, and marketing executive with extensive experience in executing transformational growth strategies in enterprise and industrial technology companies, such as Bain Capital (software portfolio), Danaher, First Solar and Belden. In these leadership roles, he has led the launch, development and acquisition of new technologies, products and services that drive innovation velocity, productivity and insight for customers in their most mission-critical use cases.

With the enterprise Augmented Reality market beginning to coalesce around a core set of use cases and verticals, Rosenberg will focus the next phase of Magic Leap’s evolution around solving for the needs and challenges of its target customers.

“As companies begin to see true ROI from deploying AR technologies, there is now a clear need state that Magic Leap is capable of solving for,” said Ross Rosenberg, Magic Leap’s incoming CEO. “I am incredibly excited to begin working with the world class team at Magic Leap and want to thank Peggy for her leadership in guiding the company through a critical phase of its development.” 

Johnson assumed the role of CEO in August 2020 with a mission to bring Magic Leap’s transformative technology to the enterprise, with a focus on designing, manufacturing, and launching Magic Leap 2, the most advanced AR technology for business. 

In her time at Magic Leap, Johnson, with the help and hard work of the company’s executive leadership and incredibly talented employees, has positioned Magic Leap for its next phase of success including stabilizing the company, launching Magic Leap 2, and establishing Magic Leap as a technology leader in enterprise AR. As a result, Magic Leap has secured collaborations with some of the biggest players in technology including Nvidia, AMD, and Cisco, as well as licensing and contract manufacturing agreements with large technology companies.

“Having accomplished so much of what I set out to do at Magic Leap, I felt the time had come to transition leadership to a new CEO who can guide the company through its next period of growth,” explained Johnson. “I’m incredibly proud of the leadership team we’ve built at Magic Leap and want to sincerely thank all of the employees for their work in helping to successfully reorient the company to the enterprise market.”

_____________________

About Ross Rosenberg 

Rosenberg has served in senior executive leadership roles in private and public technology companies, including Bain Capital (software portfolio), Danaher, First Solar and Belden. In these roles, he has led the launch, development and acquisition of new technologies, products and services that drive innovation velocity, productivity and insight for enterprise customers in their most mission-critical use cases.

Most recently, Rosenberg served as an operating executive in Bain Capital’s software portfolio, where he helped lead the transformation at Rocket Software, a large-scale enterprise IT software company. Through this transformation, the company integrated processes, systems, infrastructure and teams across more than $1 billion of software acquisitions, accelerated revenue and EBITDA growth, increased recurring revenue and net retention, diversified sales channels and expanded into hybrid cloud, data management and application development products.

Prior to Bain Capital, Rosenberg was a senior executive at Belden, Inc. (NYSE: BDC), a $3 billion global industrial technology company providing communications infrastructure, networking hardware and software in industrial automation, energy, transportation, media and “smart building” applications. At Belden, Rosenberg drove innovation and organic growth initiatives, including building and leading the company’s “incubator” program, as well as the company's strategic planning, M&A and operational integration functions for newly acquired businesses.

Prior to joining Belden, Ross led Global Marketing, Strategy and Corporate Development at First Solar (Nasdaq: FSLR), the largest provider of utility-scale solar power plant solutions. During Ross’s tenure, revenues grew from $500 million to $4 billion. Under Ross’ leadership, First Solar completed multiple  acquisitions, several joint ventures and corporate venture capital investments in strategic partners, deploying $1 billion of invested capital which resulted in the development, construction and financing of the largest utility-scale solar project pipeline in the world and the expansion of the company's capabilities from manufacturing to engineering, procurement and construction, project development and software-based power plant operation and remote maintenance/predictive analytics.

Prior to First Solar, Ross ran a $500 million division of Danaher (NYSE: DHR), a $30+ billion diversified industrial technology company. At Danaher, Ross held several executive management roles including operating/P&L responsibility for a global industrial automation business. Under Ross’s leadership, the business improved its revenue growth rate from -3% to 11% and grew operating profit 14% year over year via the development and launch of one of the fastest growing and most profitable new product lines in company history. This transformation resulted in higher recurring revenue and increased gross margins. At Danaher, Ross also served as Vice President, Marketing for a $1 billion division and Group Vice President, Strategy and Business Development, where he executed several billion dollars of acquisitions.

Prior to Danaher, Ross led corporate development at Zebra Technologies, where he founded and built the M&A function and led the company’s growth in warehouse logistics technology and expansion into radio frequency identification (“RFID”) technology.

Ross was an investment banker in the Mergers & Acquisitions group at Merrill Lynch and started his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers where he conducted buy-side due diligence and valuation for corporate and private equity clients. Ross holds an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a BS in Accounting (and CPA) from University of Illinois.

Have We Reached the Tipping Point for VR? {VRARA Bytes Podcast}

In his weekly video VR/AR Bytes Podcast, Orlando Chapter President and VRARA COO John Cunningham provides short interviews with the movers and shakers in the VRARA industry who share their insights into how VR & AR is impacting their businesses. Watch his interviews below with Kris Kolo, our Global Executive Director, and Nathan Pettyjohn, Founder & President of VRARA.

Watch the entire series here, and subscribe to receive the weekly podcast!

HyperTunnel News: US Air Force RFP, Creative Destruction Lab, and Apple Vision Pro

We are excited to share three remarkable developments that have unfolded with HyperTunnel during the last quarter.

1) US Air Force RFP: It is with immense pride that we share our acceptance of a Request for Proposal (RFP) from the US Air Force. This RFP outlines specific objectives for our HyperTunnel technology, encompassing the scaling of our server backend to meet stringent security requirements and the customization of client apps for aircraft maintenance use cases. This contract, structured as a Sequential SBIR Phase II Grant, promises non-dilutive funding and signifies the immense potential and relevance of our technology in critical applications. We are fully committed to seizing this opportunity and tailoring HyperTunnel to meet the Air Force's specific needs.

2) Creative Destruction Lab: We are delighted to inform you of our selection to participate in the prestigious CDL Compute Program. This program is designed for founders with the vision to commercialize groundbreaking computing hardware and software technologies capable of leaving a significant impact on humanity. CDL offers us a unique chance to accelerate our growth, gain invaluable insights, and connect with top-tier mentors and experts. These mentors will assist us in refining our objectives, optimizing resource allocation, raising capital, and engaging with experts at the forefront of research. The program commences on October 27th, and we are fully prepared to make the most of this transformative experience.

3) Apple Vision Pro: Another significant achievement to celebrate is Apple's certification of our HyperTunnel app's full compatibility with the forthcoming Vision Pro platform. Apple's evaluation revealed no compatibility issues with our visionOS app version, underlining our unwavering commitment to delivering innovative solutions. This certification opens doors to exciting new possibilities for our app within the Apple ecosystem.

As we embark on these exciting endeavors, we assure you that we will keep you updated every step of the way. Thank you for being an integral part of our success!

VRdirect is now available on Discover XR

VRdirect is excited to announce that we have partnered with ManageXR! This collaboration means that our VR software is now accessible on their Discover XR platform, making it easy for businesses to quickly adopt VRdirect.

This extends our reach while delivering an exceptional user experience, ensuring broader accessibility to our VR solutions for businesses.

Click here for more information about Discover XR!

VRdirect News: Compatibility with all major XR devices

VRdirect now supports the HTC Vive XR Elite as well as the recently launched Meta Quest 3. Both devices are ideal for B2B use cases, offering a wide range of useful features at an affordable price. They are a great choice for enterprises to scale VR across their organization. Read our review of Meta Quest 3 here.

VRdirect is fully compatible with these headsets, as well as the other already supported devices from Meta, PICO and HTC. Our goal is to simplify the integration of headsets into enterprises, regardless of which ecosystem they come from.

Schedule a meeting with us to learn more about the integration of VR into your organization!

Acer SpatialLabs View Pro displayed for the first time, along with other SpatialLabs devices at the Immerse Global Summit (IGS) in Orlando during Metacenter Global Week

The newly announced Acer SpatialLabs View Pro 27 was on display for the first time, along with other SpatialLabs devices at the Immerse Global Summit (IGS) in Orlando, Florida from October 17-19. 

The Acer SpatialLabs View Pro 27 is a canvas for creators and developers, turning ideas into vivid 3D worlds, glasses-free. With SpatialLabs technology, designs leap out with clarity. Every detail stands out, bringing concepts closer to reality.

A New Scale of Immersion With Exquisite Details

Acer SpatialLabs View Pro 27 fuses art & tech in a 27-inch 4K display. The advanced 3D system, from visuals to acoustics, is crafted for immersion. Explore detailed models or vast landscapes, bringing designs to life with unmatched realism. 

Optimized 3D for Extremely Low Light Settings

Enjoy flawless 3D visuals, even in low light. Our tech precisely tracks eye positions in dim environments, ensuring the 3D experience is always perfectly tuned to the viewer. Whether you prefer working in low light settings or want to showcase your creations in soft-light ambience, visuals perfectly adjust to your movements for consistently captivating and clear view.

Elevate Your 3D Creations to Their Truest Form

Dive into your projects with a 160Hz refresh rate, making animations fluid and lifelike. A detachable hood ensures focused immersion, while the truest colors shine through, thanks to a Color Gamut Delta E < 2. With the SpatialLabs View Pro 27, live every detail of your creation.

Acer Immerse Audio: A Complete Visual-Audio Experience

Acer Immerse Audio is an advanced AI-driven sound system, along with beamforming and head tracking, that creates a spatial audio experience that surrounds you. Every detail, from hardware to algorithms, is optimized to immerse you in sound. Whether in a digital realm or cinematic content, the audio adjusts in real-time like a virtual headset, syncing with every movement and emotion.

Perfect for Every Place and Purpose

The SpatialLabs View Pro 27 epitomizes adaptability. Perfect for interactive exhibits, educational hubs, or professional workspaces, its ErgoStand design offers versatile tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments. Enhanced by VESA compatibility, it supports diverse mounting options. You can also pair it with a mini PC to transform it into a dynamic centerpiece for any environment.

The VRARA Appoints John A. Cunningham to Chief Operating Officer

The VR/AR Association is pleased to announce the appointment of John A. Cunningham to the position of Chief Operating Officer of the VRARA.  In this role John will support the executive leadership team and the members of the Association to help develop new programs and initiatives to further the mission of the VRARA to foster collaboration between spatial computing solution providers and end-users in order to accelerate growth. 

Nathan Pettyjohn, President “We are really excited that John is joining us in this new global role as COO.  With his contagious passion for XR, tremendous experience in growing technology organizations around the world and his hands-on experience founding and building the Orlando-Central Florida Chapter of the VRARA to become the largest in the world, John will help us take the Association to the next level and provide even more value to the XR ecosystem globally”.

“I am excited to have John support us to create new programs and initiatives to grow our ecosystem,” says Kris Kolo, Global Executive Director of the VRARA.  “We have been wanting to bring on someone with the right experience both in the XR industry and with the Association to help us expand our capabilities to support our members globally. 

John Cunningham was formerly an executive at Unity where he founded and led Unity’s Aerospace and Defense business since 2020.  Prior to joining Unity, John served as Chief Revenue Officer of a private equity owned software company specializing in Aerospace, Defense and Automotive XR solutions. 

John Cunningham adds “We are at a pivotal point in the adoption of XR in both the consumer and enterprise segments and the global XR industry needs its own association to help both technology companies in XR as well as end users looking for ways to utilize XR technology to increase their business, train workers, and create safer and smarter work environments.  We want VRARA to be the place where people go first for information, connection and business opportunities.  Essentially we want the VRARA to be the place where XR gets done!  I will support Nathan, Kris and all of our Chapter Presidents to build on what they have established and help develop new programs and initiatives to drive value for members at both the local and global levels! 

IGS 2023: Will XR Democratise Patient Care?

XR Today’s Rory Greener speaks with Dr Linda Ciavarelli, Co-Founder of HouseCall VR, at Immerse Global Summit 2023 in Orlando, Florida.

In this interview, we discuss the following:

What is democratized health care, and how does XR assist in promoting accessible healthcare?

• How does XR improve patient care and experiences?

• What unique opportunities does XR provide to healthcare pros in a vertical that historically leverages new and legacy tech?

IGS 2023: Meta Quest for Business takes Center Stage

Immerse Global Summit (IGS) 2023 saw a successful first day, with many leading brands filling the Dr. Pillips Center, its exhibition hall and atriums. Moreover, the day ended with a city-wide immersive scavenger hunt that pushed IGS attendees to explore the downtown Orlando area – in a collaborative effort with event partners MetaCenter and Synapse to showcase the local area. 

For those still awake following the late-night scavenger hunt, Meta’s Global Executive of Engagement, Reality Labs, Dan Nieves, took the stage on Wednesday morning to inform IGS 2023 attendees with the latest Meta updates, including deep considerations for business and productivity. 

 Nieves explained:  

Metaverse technologies and AI are really reshaping how we experience the physical and digital worlds. If we think about obviously this moment right here, all of us in the same room, being together in the physical world will always be the richest way. – But more and more, people in teams are being distributed and more spread out. So, it’s really the combination of both the physical and digital worlds that are defining our reality. 

Meta Quest for Business is Coming Soon 

Moreover, Dan Nieves noted how businesses today are “already using” technologies such as VR and MR to “create new opportunities that benefit our society.” Nieves further explained how a “wide range” of XR for enterprise use cases already exists for clients representing education, healthcare, and workplace collaboration – “we are seeing a number of organisations see real impact today,” Nieves remarked.  

During the opening keynote, the Global Executive of Engagement showcased how professionals are leveraging Meta’s immersive workplace product portfolio to complete complex tasks such as eye surgery, upskilling careers, engine maintenance, and helping athletes come back from injury.  

During the opening Wednesday keynote, Nieves highlighted how Meta Quest for Business is coming “very soon.” 

Nieves explained: 

Very soon, we’re going to be launching Meta Quest for Business, which will bring together a solution around user management, app management, device management, which we see as a huge opportunity to help businesses and organisations who are looking to open up new ways of working.  

Emerging Technologies Side-by-Side Will Push Human Connection Forward  

Dan Nieves explained how Meta “firmly” believes that immersive technology is “the future” of human connection.  

Moreover, Nieves added that other emerging technologies, such as AI and the cloud, will come together to become greater than the sum of their parts and “work together to help build the future of human connection, and one very focused on around the human experience.” 

Nieves went on to explain how, alongside related emerging technology, new hardware with improved form factor – notably the firm’s recently released Ray Ban smart glasses – lowers the barrier to entry and helps to “democratise how people connect and interact with new information.” 

“We talk often about this concept of social presence,” remarked Nieves. According to the Meta spokesperson, a “key part” of the Metaverse’s success relies on the feeling of human-to-human connectivity and matching real-life interaction as closely as possible – “how do we recreate that sense of presence so that it can feel like we’re all together.” 

Nieves said:  

The phone has been an incredible way for how we stay connected. But too often, we rely on screens to tap into virtual worlds or other content. It pulls us away from the moment that we’re in and the people that we’re physically with. So, we see this barrier dissolving over time, especially with the rise of mixed reality and, ultimately, augmented reality, where the technology starts to fade right into the background, and that allows us to simply enhance the world around us and stay more present in the moment that we’re in.  

AR/VR/MR helps to power a deeper level of connection and sense of presence, notes Nieves. At IGS 2023, the event’s halls see a trove of XR vendors and end-users all pushing together to achieve a shared goal of immersive connectivity. While forecasts of when XR will become a day-to-day commonality vary greatly per person; the community’s shared goals and outreach could push the industry in the right direction.  

Originally posted on Xrtoday.com by Rory Greener.

IGS 2023: Introducing the Visor Headset for Immersive Productivity

XR Today's Rory Greener speaks with Caleb Trees, Director of Operations and Recruitment at Immersed, at Immerse Global Summit 2023 in Orlando, Florida.

In this interview, we discuss the following: 1) Introducing the Visor headset and the device's place in a busy 2024 market. 2) Behavioural considerations for deploying productivity hardware. 3) Potential benefits for enterprise end-users.  

If you're looking for more information on this topic visit https://immersed.com/

Hosted by Rory Greener at XR Today News - Extended Reality Tech News #mr #spatialcomputing #applevisionpro

IGS 2023: Orlando, the Home of XR Innovation

What a way to kick off Immerse Global Summit (IGS) 2023! This year is more significant than ever thanks to deep event partnerships, which boost IGS 2023 by showcasing local innovative technology talents from Orlando, Florida, while also bringing together some of the best international minds and companies in the AR/VR/MR space.  

For 2023, IGS is collaborating with Metacenter Global Week and Synapse to create a heightened event that presents more opportunities for its speakers, attendees, and exhibitors to meet face-to-face and drive tomorrow’s technology today.  

Starting the event was an inspiring introductory keynote hosted by David Barilla, Executive Director of Downtown Development Board/Community Redevelopment Agency and Jerry Demings, Mayor of Orange County, which saw the pair highlight why Orlando is the perfect location for the expanded IGS 2023 event.  

During the Keynote, David Barilla noted:  

Orlando is the Metacenter, as the leading region in the US that is building the Metaverse. In AR/VR, Orlando is the modelling and simulation training capital of the world, with more than $6 billion in contract work annually. AR/VR technology is at core of creating the Metaverse in Orlando.  

Moreover, Barilla highlighted the region’s historical excellence in supporting enterprise technology innovation, explaining how Orlando has been developing a “strong tech ecosystem for decades.” 

The Executive Director also added:  

We [Orlando, Florida] have globally recognised companies and organisations like Lockheed Martin, CENTCOM, Siemens, Deloitte, and NASA. They selected the region decades ago, and they continue to invest and expand here based on years of proven success.  

Mayor Demmings also highlighted how the Orlando region has recently accumulated more than six billion dollars via annual simulations-related contracts with companies such as Jet Blue and Lagos – “[the] Orange County simulation technology sector is driving innovation that is now having a global impact,” Demmings remarked.  

VRAR Association Continue to Lead XR Innovation, Collaboration, and Success  

However, despite grand investments from the Orlando region and its governmental bodies. The success of XR – or any emerging technology – also relies on its decision-makers, thought leaders, and communities.  

A famed group spearheading immersive technology innovation for enterprise and beyond is IGS 2023’s key organiser, the VRAR Association.  

Led by Nathan Pettyjohn, the CEO of Immerse Growth Network, Founder & President of VRAR Association, and Founder & President of Immerse Global Summit, the association network aims to drive technology innovation worldwide with chapters representing countless regions such as London, Hong Kong, and of course Orlando (with John Cunningham acting as chapter present for this region, helping to host IGS 2023).  

During the IGS 2023 opening keynote, Pettyjohn added: 

We [the VRAR Association] hold over 100 events per year when you include all of our chapters, but really, it’s about helping companies grow, helping companies learn and connect – bringing together a global community in partnership and that’s what we’re trying to embrace here today [at IGS 2023].  

IGS 2023 aims to provide a hotbed for global XR innovation, continuing its vision of hosting leading industry figures who offer core market insights via keynotes, speaker sessions, and demos that showcase emerging immersive technologies and solutions across the AR/VR/MR, Metaverse, and spatial computing spectrum. Moreover, day one provided countless valuable insights into the latest enterprise-ready XR use cases led by vendors and end-users. 

Be sure to keep up with XR Today across the following days to learn more about the rich learning experience for innovative business leaders that is IGS 2023.

Originally posted on XR today by Rory Greener.

Banuba Helps Uhive Surpass 3 Million Downloads

Uhive, an innovative social network, integrated Banuba Video Editor SDK as a part of their core user experience. It helped users create shareworthy content, and as a result the engagement and popularity of Uhive skyrocketed. 

Banuba’s product was chosen for its expansive feature set, ease of integration, and enhanced engagement options it provides.

“At Uhive, we've had the pleasure of working with Banuba's video editing SDK, which has added an exciting dimension to our platform. This integration has allowed us to offer our users a dynamic and immersive content creation experience. Pleasure working with Banuba team,” Haneen Fayed, Product Manager at Uhive said.

To date, Uhive has more than 3 million downloads on Android and iOS, with thousands more every day.

Banuba Video Editor SDK is a ready-made suite enabling the creation of audiovisual content. Its features include:

• Trimming/merging

• Drafts

• Text and GIF overlays

• AR masks

• Transition effects

• Rapid/slo-mo

• Color filters

• Virtual backgrounds

• Slideshows

It is available for native Android and iOS, as well as React Native and Flutter. 

About Uhive

Uhive is a UK-based platform revolutionizing social media. It features gamification, tokenomics, decentralized moderation, and other unique additions that make it stand out from the crowd. More innovations are coming, including a metaverse.

About Banuba

Banuba is an augmented reality company with over 7 years on the market, pioneering face tracking, virtual try-on, and virtual background technologies. Besides online try-on solutions for makeup, headwear, jewelry, glasses, and more, it offers a Face filters SDK and Video Editor SDK – ready-made modules to apply effects and edit videos.

Guardians of Clarity: Pancake Lenses and UV-C Light

In the rapidly evolving landscape of virtual reality (VR) technology, the quest for visual excellence is paramount. Pancake lenses, with their compact design and wide field of view, are fast becoming the future of immersive VR experience. However, as we venture into the intricate realm of optics, a pertinent question arises: How do these guardians of clarity fare against the invisible force of UV-C light?

While UV-C light seldom encounters the human eye directly in natural settings, its potency cannot be underestimated. In controlled environments, UV-C finds purpose in disinfection, eliminating harmful micro-organisms with unparalleled efficiency. Yet, this very potency raises questions about its potential effects on optical components, particularly lenses. Pancake lenses, meticulously crafted to optimise visual fidelity, now face the challenge of accommodating UV-C's energetic onslaught. Understanding this interaction is crucial, not only for preserving lens integrity, but also for ensuring the longevity of virtual reality devices in environments where UV-C exposure may occur. In this context, the resilience of pancake lenses against UV-C light becomes a testament to the precision and durability of modern optics.

Pancake Lenses Demystified: Unravelling Their Inner Workings

Pancake lenses stand as the unsung heroes of visual technology, encapsulating a world of precision engineering within their compact frames. To truly appreciate their prowess in the realm of virtual reality, we must embark on a journey to understand the intricate mechanisms that define their functionality.

A pancake lens works by using the principles of optics to focus light onto a sensor or our eyes. One important aspect of how it achieves this is through internal reflection. 

Inside a pancake lens, there are carefully shaped pieces of glass. These pieces are designed in a way that when light enters the lens, it's bent or refracted. This bending is crucial because it helps gather and focus the light. But here's where internal reflection comes into play. Some of the light inside the lens hits the surfaces of these glass elements. Instead of passing through, this light bounces off the surface. This is called internal reflection.

By carefully designing the shape and angles of these glass elements, engineers can control how the light bounces around inside the lens. This helps in making sure that all the rays of light are focused precisely, resulting in a clear and sharp image. The precise arrangement of glass elements and controlled internal reflection within a pancake lens enables the lens to achieve a thinner, more compact design, optimising its functionality without compromising optical performance

UV-C Penetration and Lens Materials: Unveiling the Barrier

Having illuminated the extraordinary capabilities of pancake lenses in revolutionising the virtual reality experience, it's imperative that we now turn our attention to an equally crucial facet - their interaction with UV-C light. Just as these lenses stand as paragons of optical engineering, their resilience against the potent force of UV-C radiation is a testament to the precision and thoughtfulness embedded in their design. The penetration rate of UV-C into these materials, particularly glass, is a critical aspect that shapes the lens's ability to protect itself against the energetic force of UV-C radiation.

The Nature of UV-C Penetration:

UV-C light, characterised by its short wavelengths, possesses a unique ability to interact with matter. These high-energy photons have the potential to penetrate certain materials, altering their molecular structure. However, the extent of penetration is contingent on various factors, including the material's composition and density

Glass as a UV-C Barrier:

Glass, commonly employed in the construction of high-quality lenses, boasts impressive UV-C blocking properties. Its dense molecular structure provides an effective barrier against UV-C penetration. This characteristic is fundamental in safeguarding the interior components of pancake lenses from potential harm.

Coatings and UV-C Absorption:

Beyond the inherent properties of glass, lens manufacturers often employ specialised coatings to enhance UV-C protection. These coatings are meticulously formulated to absorb UV-C radiation, further fortifying the lens against potential penetration. Through a combination of material selection and advanced coatings, pancake lenses are equipped with formidable defences against UV-C light.

Controlled Dispersion and UV-C Deflection:

Aspherical elements, integral to many pancake lens designs, play a crucial role in UV-C protection. Their precisely calculated shapes are engineered to redirect light rays. In the context of UV-C, as it is not part of the visual spectrum, these elements help disperse the radiation, preventing it from concentrating and penetrating deeper into the lens material.

Conclusion

In conclusion a reassuring revelation emerges: it is indeed safe to utilise UV-C disinfection on pancake lenses. UV-C, with its potent germicidal properties, poses minimal risk to these optical marvels. The unique design and materials of pancake lenses, coupled with their inherent ability to absorb UV-C, make them resilient against any potential harm. By harnessing the power of UV-C for disinfection, we not only safeguard the lenses from potential contaminants but also ensure a clean and hygienic VR experience.