UbiSim Immediately Enables Nursing Programs to Train From VR Experiences

Responding to the global COVID-19 crisis, UbiSim has launched a powerful new training tool for nursing simulation programs in North America which enables nurse educators to record a Virtual Reality experience and immediately share the video lesson with their students. The Virtual Simulation Recorder functionality, launched to help mitigate educational disruptions to Nursing Schools around North America, provides a very quick way for Clinical Simulation faculty, who own VR headsets, to create and share customized video lessons from a first person VR perspective. Here we take a closer look at the UbiSim VR Nursing educational platform and the new Virtual Simulation Recorder — which is already been signed up for by over 60 Nursing Programs and is available now at no cost!

To overcome campus based learning restrictions and to prepare for the eventual return of Nursing students to colleges across the continent, the UbiSim team has worked tirelessly since the start of COVID-19 to provide meaningful training solutions which support the increased use of healthcare simulation. What is of critical importance to note, however, is the affordability of Virtual Reality platforms like UbiSim which maximize access to a diverse range of clinical skills acquisition over traditional medical simulation manikins, audio-visual recording and debriefing systems, technical support staff and specialized sim lab rooms — many of which are currently off limits anyway due to Coronavirus shutdowns.

“Numerous colleges asked us to provide an immediate way to quickly continue high-fidelity simulation training while campuses are closed. As our top priority is to support Nursing educators and their students, we immediately set to work to build and share the new Virtual Simulation Recorder to help them overcome COVID-19 disruptions” says UbiSim Business Director Gauthier Dubruel. Since launching the platform, the UbiSim team has reported that over 60 nursing programs from across North America have already signed up to start using the free tool. “We will continue to help in any way we can!” says Gauthier. As some states within the US are expanding the use of simulation to meet the lack of missed clinical rotations (now and in the future), UbiSim’s support is well timed for both short-term and long-term benefits.

CONTACT

Name: Gauthier Dubruel

Email Address: gauthier.dubruel@ubisimvr.com

Website URL: https://www.ubisimvr.com

inVRsion, Virtual Reality + Retail startup, raises €3 million

Learn the latest during our VR/AR Global Summit ONLINE Conference + Expo June 1-3

Italian-based inVRsion, a virtual reality startup serving the retail industry, has raised €3 million in its third and overscribed funding round, which was closed on 30 April. This brings the total raised by the company to €4.5 million.

inVRsion, founded in 2015 by Matteo Esposito, Paolo Pascolo, Flora Caroli and Luca Ferrari Trecate, is a company specialized in the simulation of retail spaces, showrooms, products and shopping experiences. These virtual reality services support B2B activities such as trade marketing negotiations, shopper research and training, as well as B2C activities, like virtual reality e-commerce. Currently, inVRsion’s proprietary software ShelfZone is used in the CPG sector by a number of leading global retail companies, and the startup is trusted by players like accenture, Nestle and pepsico.

The new funding round was participated in by a mix of both new and existing advisors. BackToWork24 Srl and Invest Italy SIM Spa covered 50% of the round alone, and a number of other investors also took part, including: Italian Angels for Growth, the Milanese holding Finbeauty Srl, and LiftT Spa. In addition, investors from previous rounds, prominent figures and members of the Advisory Board, such as Mainardo de Nardis (entrepreneur and former CEO of Omnicom Group), also took part.

Furthermore, the startup has announced that De Nardis (investor, Director and Advisor) has joined inVRsion’s advisory board along with Lorenzo Thione and Eugenio Perrier. Their expertise will be used to support the startup as it scales up in the United States, starting with its subsidiary base which was recently established in New York.

Matteo Esposito, inVRsion’s co-founder and CEO, explained: “Since the start inVRsion has specialized in the standardization of the processes related to 3D products digitalization and in the development of a software for the design and personalization of retail spaces through virtual reality, that can be dynamically filled with products, autonomously managed by clients and connected to their existing sales processes. Soon our platform will take advantage of the emerging Edge Cloud and 5G technologies to bring the virtual purchase experience from a B2B to a B2C context, reinventing the e-commerce paradigm. I want to thank our investors who believe in this ambitious, but timely project”.

It’s also worth noting that to assist during the Covid-19 emergency, the startup has announced new solutions for the Fashion and Luxury sectors, to virtualize and improve the efficiency of distribution and sales processes at a B2B level.

inVRsion’s COO Fabrizio Dini, went on to explain: “Our 3D digital twins are perfect and can be showcased in a virtual store or showroom through our platform or featured within a web page, providing users with the most accurate product experience, where they can evaluate the details of merchandise as well as any alternatives regarding colors, materials and finishes. The 3D Commerce format will represent a new standard for the visualization of products on e-commerce websites and in AR/VR applications”.

Contact:

Matteo Esposito

m.esposito@invrsion.com

GE Hitachi and Virtualware Revolutionize Workforce Training through VR Immersive Rooms

GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy and Virtualware introduce today a revolutionary concept for workforce training based on Virtual Reality Immersive Rooms. GE Hitachi will provide the OEM expertise, the training content, and the process knowhow, and Virtualware will provide the award-winning Enterprise VR Solution VIROO Immersive Room, along with training simulators, in different locations around the world.

VIROO enables any organisation to launch 1:1 scale and multi-user virtual reality content, by means of a patented tracking technology and a software platform. This platform will allow GE Hitachi to operate and manage the rooms efficiently, as well as generate and include new content to provide not only standard training solutions, but just-in-time bespoke solutions associated to complex nonstandard works as well. VIROO is the key to turning advanced technology into a simple and accessible tool for GE Hitachi teams.

“For Virtualware, this announcement is a major milestone in our history. Not only does it position us at a global level, but it also reaffirms the commitment we made 3 years ago to develop a product like VIROO, which is the basis of this agreement.” says Unai Extremo, VIrtualware CEO

The first content simulator developed is aimed to train workers in fuel movement operations, using a physical replica of the necessary equipment connected directly to the virtual environment. The fuel movement process is a complex and highly skilled activity that requires top level expertise and training, as well as outstanding coordination between the different parties involved during the fuel movement process.

The fuel movement simulator is part of a new generation of simulators that GE Hitachi in alliance with Virtualware will release for operation during the coming years, not only for the BWR technology but PWR and D&D as well.

This initiative will improve the capabilities of professionals through intensive training and contribute to the reduction of both costs and risks. In addition, these systems will help Nuclear customers to have just-in-time bespoke training solutions on site that will contribute to the reduction of operational costs associated with training and quality issues

“GE Hitachi will be responsible for creating the next generation of training simulators for nuclear processes. Simulators that will allow us to be more competitive in training and coaching our people, and our customers’ workers. In addition, we will gather information about how people follow the processes, allowing us to improve them. This is the first step towards a new world, the world of immersive technology, in which GE Hitachi will play a leading role by pioneering its application to the nuclear sector.“ according to Ricardo Moreno, GE Hitachi VP for Europe

Contact:

Name: DAVID MORENO

Email Address: dmoreno@virtualwareco.com

Website URL: https://www.virtualwareco.com/news/revolutionize-workforce-training-vr-immersive-rooms/

VR/AR Association Parent & Student Resource #1

Come meet us online during our VR/AR Global Summit ONLINE Conference+Expo on June 1-3

Contributors

  • Olivia Wenzel, Student & Founder of AltruTec, LLC, Ohio, United States

  • Sabarish Gnanamoorthy, Student, Founder of WaypointAR, Innovator at The Knowledge Society, Ontario, Canada

  • Mishaal Lakhani, Student & Innovator at The Knowledge Society, Ontario, Canada

  • Lina Nayvelt, Student & Innovator at The Knowledge Society, Ontario, Canada

  • Julie Smithson, Co-Founder of MetaVRse & XR Ignite, Ontario, Canada


Introduction

The Coronavirus has brought unprecedented challenges to our lives. In times of illness and mandated social distancing, we are forced to grapple with new contexts and standards for school and work. How do we stay safe and continue to communicate and collaborate effectively?

Virtual reality and augmented reality have come to the spotlight as superior mediums for facilitating social, educational, and work-related connections. In this issue, we help you establish a foundational understanding of these technologies.

Even in a pre-COVID-19 world, we were seeing VR and AR transform several industries, including manufacturing, healthcare and real estate. More industries are adopting and implementing immersive technologies into their business models, whether it be in training employees on soft and hard skills, building new airplanes, or presenting projects to clients or stakeholders. With this progress and in light of our present circumstances, it is imperative that we have our education systems prepare the next generations for these digital changes. This includes helping the next generation take ownership of the change agents, including but not limited to VR and AR, and facilitating a shift in mindset to lifelong, holistic learning and growth using technology, whereby education takes place at any time, anywhere.


Tech Terms

Screen Shot 2020-05-07 at 7.21.09 PM.png
Screen Shot 2020-05-07 at 7.21.22 PM.png

How is VR and AR Training Transforming the Workplace?

Many jobs are in the categories of DICE - an acronym coined by leading VR researcher and head of the Stanford Virtual Human Interaction Lab (VHIL) Jeremy Bailenson. DICE stands for Dangerous, Impossible, Counterproductive, or Expensive and Rare. 

Training for jobs that are dangerous include situations that can’t easily be replicated. In particular, those would include heavy machine operations, deadly substances, or chemicals. VR is used to build scenario-based training that can repeat testing and ensure that employees can respond and act as needed.  Training for jobs that are impossible include those that cannot be replicated, including situations of damage and emergency response. VR enables such training.

Training for jobs that bring counterproductive situations includes crashes caused by distracted driving and injury caused by incorrect movement of a ladder. VR eliminates injuries in training while allowing the practice of safe behavior until it becomes habitual.

Training for jobs that becomes expensive or rare applies to the training of surgeons with human and animal cadavers, of police with crowd control, among others.

In the next issue, we will discover even more ways that VR and AR are transforming the workplace, specific to this time of social distancing.

Who is Using VR/AR in Industry Now?

Screen Shot 2020-05-07 at 7.23.50 PM.png
Screen Shot 2020-05-07 at 7.24.06 PM.png

As a Parent, How do I Prepare My Child for their Future of Work?

VR and AR are not just about computer programming or the sciences. Every industry has begun the implementation of this technology into its workforce standards. In these times of unprecedented change, it’s become abundantly clear that every student must be ready to live and work in a digital, immersive technology-powered world. 

Our Student Committee will continue to provide resources for parents and students to stay informed about the applications of this technology, especially in this time of social distancing. We hope that our resource will help bridge the gap in knowledge so that our students are ready for future opportunities in the workforce, all with parental support.

Students and parents can also begin preparing themselves and/or their children for the future of work by exploring current educational VR/AR experiences at home. We’ve listed a few AR applications to try out on your smartphones below. Whether you use these experiences to supplement the traditional classroom education or to dive into an entirely new concept, we’re sure you’ll reap benefit!

Screen Shot 2020-05-07 at 7.25.48 PM.png

Takeaways

One of the most important takeaways we hope you walk away with is that learning is an exciting, lifelong process. Accordingly, your VR/AR educational journey should not end with this resource! 

Please continue exploring and, if you’re a parent, sharing with your children VR/AR educational content. Be sure to check out the recommended resources below to learn more about VR/AR.

In this issue, we introduced you to VR and AR, gave you a glimpse into just how transformative these technologies are in the workplace, and provided a few resources and advice to help you prepare yourself and your child for this reality. In the next issue, we’ll learn some more vocabulary, see how VR and AR are helping in social and educational spaces (especially in this time of social distancing), discover which tools may be the right fit for specific use cases, hear from a student who is deeply involved in this technology, and see some more recommended resources!

Screen Shot 2020-05-07 at 7.26.46 PM.png

If you're a student or a parent who needs more resources, please reach out to students@thevrara.com, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat @vrarastudents.

Varjo Expands Worldwide Access to Industrial VR/XR with Launch of Sales in Key Markets in Asia Pacific and Israel

Learn the latest during our VR/AR Global Summit ONLINE Conference + Expo June 1-3


Direct shipping and growth of reseller program in Singapore, Israel, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand empowers more professional users to utilize VR/XR for design, training and research


Helsinki, Finland – April 23, 2020 –Varjo™, the leader in industrial-grade VR/XR headsets, today announced the launch of sales and direct shipping to key markets in the Asia Pacific region including Singapore, Israel, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. In order to better meet industry demand and the needs of current customers, Varjo’s industry-leading portfolio of VR/XR headsets is available immediately in these new countries for enterprise users.

“Moving industrial workflows into immersive environments is becoming the norm, a development accelerated by current extraordinary global circumstances,” said Timo Toikkanen, president and COO of Varjo. “We’re seeing tremendous interest from leading enterprises who are looking to leverage VR/XR technologies for applications such as aviation training, design reviews and research, to name a few. Our continued expansion into new territories allows us to accelerate adoption and deliver an exceptional, localized experience to customers around the world.”

 

Three new reseller partners join the network

With its entrance into new markets, Varjo also continues to expand its reseller program, which now provides local, on-the-ground support in 40 countries. Three new resellers – INNOSIMULATION (South Korea), StormFX (Australia and New Zealand), and Synergy(Israel) – have joined the network. Resellers are handpicked and certified with the goal of providing companies with the best possible local assistance in acquiring, setting up and implementing Varjo’s portfolio of VR/XR headsets including the XR-1 Developer Edition, VR-2 and VR-2 Pro.

 

Accelerating enterprise adoption of VR/XR

Leading enterprise customers such as VolvoFlightSafety and Siemens are already using Varjo’s devices to conduct virtual workforce training, collaborate remotely on the design and prototyping processes, and run academic, clinical and commercial research in order to save time, money and effort. 

“Varjo is currently providing the best quality headsets for professional virtual and mixed reality, with the unparalleled resolution needed for complex automotive visualisation and design reviews. With Varjo’s technology, we can design and build our world-leading cars faster and more creatively, fast-forwarding the implementation and validation of new features and ideas. KIA is a proud partner in the immersive revolution driven by Varjo,” said Thomas Unterluggauer, Creative Manager CGI at KIA Design Center Europe.

“Varjo’s world-leading VR/XR devices allow us at Ryan Aerospace to take our virtual and mixed reality helicopter simulators to the next level. With the human-eye resolution on Varjo’s headsets, trainees have excellent peripheral vision and spatial and situational awareness, which multiplies the amount of potential training applications using VR/XR. Varjo can help our customers save millions or tens of millions of dollars compared to more traditional training systems, which is why we’re excited about Varjo expanding their availability in the Asia Pacific region,” said Chris Ryan, Managing Director at Ryan Aerospace.

“Designers and engineers are demanding higher visual accuracy as VR and XR becomes more of an integral part of the creation process,” said Rob Herman, General Manager, Workstation & Client AI at Lenovo. “The technology Varjo brings to these expanding markets will enable next-level training, creation, and research. The partnership between Lenovo and Varjo guarantees the highest-quality experience for professionals – certifying configurations across our ThinkStation and ThinkPad P Series workstation portfolio to ensure this caliber of clarity is brought to life.” 

To learn more about how Varjo’s customers are using the company’s VR/XR technology to transform the way they work, visit: https://varjo.com/testimonials/


CONTACT:

Name: Annaleena Kuronen

Email Address: annaleena@varjo.com

Website URL: http://varjo.com/press-release/varjo-expands-worldwide-access-to-industrial-vr-xr-with-launch-of-sales-in-key-markets-in-asia-pacific-and-israel/ 

Balti Virtual Announces HypARlink! HypARlink came about from a culmination of work done for Marvel, Disney and HBO

Balti Virtual, a Baltimore-based AR/VR agency, just released HypARlink. Thanks to them, you can now receive a link and instantly experience high-quality augmented reality for free, on any device, with a single link. Here's that pet unicorn you always wanted: https://hyparlink.com/unicorn

“AR and VR are not just for gamers,” said Balti Virtual Co-founder and CEO Will Gee. “Our hope is these 3D friends can be a source of entertainment for people at home and get them trying out some tech they may have never used before.”

Even though Balti Virtual loves entertaining the socially-distant population with AR unicorns or turtles (https://hyparlink.com/turtle), the company sees HypARlink’s next application as slightly more ‘serious’. Displaying highly-detailed models of things like engines or demonstrating product features to customers is one of the best use-cases for this technology. Here’s an example: https://hyparlink.com/kawasaki

Gee believes that we will start to see mixed reality permeate more of our work and play over the next several years.

“Brands of all sizes are integrating AR and VR into marketing and daily business operations, so we can participate in a product launch or networking event from anywhere,” said Gee. “It’s no longer about the short-term need for virtual work or entertainment, it’s the realization that this tech has the ability to immensely enhance our lives.”

Creating HypARlink was a culmination of several years’ work across AR, gaming, and web technologies, and combining work that had been done for Marvel, Disney and HBO.

About Balti Virtual:

Balti Virtual, a leading virtual & augmented reality development agency, has been a pioneer for over 20 years in using technology, artistry, and interactive experiences to bring together meaningful engagements around the world. We believe in the power of high-tech, engaging experiences that bring stories to life and creates a true impact.

Our agency is focused on combining rich user experiences and next-generation technology. We are obsessed with results that will: Defy Expectations. Connect With Customers. Extend Your Existing Content.
Our agency would love to share and brainstorm with you on how to use any of the platforms mentioned. We believe in the power of technology and are firmly planted in how to make it a reality for today’s changing climate.

Contact:

Name: Will Gee

Email Address: will@baltivirtual.com

Website URL: http://baltivirtual.com

8th Wall introduces Inline AR - embed WebAR into any website with AR iframes

Inline AR allows WebAR content to integrate directly into an existing website, living alongside other website content. With just a few lines of code, any 8th Wall WebAR project can be configured to work within an embedded iframe. Integrating AR directly into the organic flow of an existing site has numerous benefits. By forgoing the need to leave the page, Inline AR can lead to increased dwell time and engagement on the parent site while boosting discoverability of the AR content. Surrounding content can provide immediate context to the AR experience, streamlining user onboarding. The ‘wow factor’ of AR is now front and center on your site, differentiating you from competitors. Whether it is an immersive feature in an article, an embedded carousel on a product page, or a programmatically served AR ad, Inline AR has clear use cases today.




CONTACT:

Name: Tom Emrich

Email Address: tom@8thwall.com

Website URL: https://medium.com/8th-wall/introducing-inline-ar-43f8ccff09fe

Deadline is this Friday for Premium Access tickets at a discount to our VR/AR Global Summit ONLINE Conference+Expo!

Get your ticket now

We want to emphasize the Networking benefit/value that comes with the Premium Access ticket:

  • Network in groups and 1-on-1, including with Sponsors and Speakers

  • Speed Dating: You will get 3 minutes to meet one-on-one and face-to-face with "your match", ie the next best person available who wants to talk to you!

  • Access to Social Events

  • Access to Sponsors activations

  • And more!

VRARA Online Summit Networking.png

AARP Innovation Labs is helping to reduce the effects of social isolation by bringing families together in VR, through their platform Alcove

Alcove is a virtual reality platform that connects family members across generations by bringing them together in a world filled with immersive experiences. Even when apart, friends and family members can share new experiences together including virtually traveling to new places around the globe, sharing photos and videos, creating new memories together, engaging in health and wellness activities, and much more!

This is especially relevant now, in times of social distancing, as people are feeling more disconnected from their loved ones than ever. Social isolation is not a new issue. In normal times, 1 in 5 Americans feels socially isolated. But these are not normal times. Across the world, people are social distancing to slow a pandemic, disconnecting from their loved ones more than ever. AARP Innovation Labs has been exploring for awhile now how to tackle social isolation to bring family and friends of all ages together through immersive VR and AR experiences, and that is how Alcove was born.

Through your vote you can help grow visibility into VR’s opportunities on the consumer market -- for casual entertainment relevant to people of all ages, health and wellness applications, virtual travel, and helping to connect people and families, as well as shine light on VR’s relevance for larger audience groups outside of the traditional target segments.

And if you have an Oculus Go nearby, download Alcove from the App Store, and use it with your dear ones. 

How Immersive Technology Is Growing Exponentially

In this episode of Industry Focus, Jason Moser chats with Tyler Gates and Sophia Moshasha about everything virtual reality and augmented reality. They also discuss the role of 5G in the development of immersive technology, the latest innovations, and the amazing ways AR/VR is being used today. Discover where the technology is headed.

Tyler is the managing principal of Brightline Interactive and chapter president of the Washington, DC, chapter of the VR/AR Association. Sophia is the director of immersive platforms of Brightline and also the vice president of the Washington, DC, chapter of the VR/AR Association. 

Source

Robotic Advisors Defy Factory COVID Shutdowns with Virtual Reality

rsz_dsc05269.jpg

Virtual reality is giving the industry a way out of the coronavirus crisis. Robotics advisors are now visiting factories virtually to keep business going and to avoid a slowdown of automation efforts in the manufacturing industry.


SAN FRANCISCO - The COVID-19 crisis is halting industry efforts of doing business together. Factories are either sealed off from visitors or shut down entirely.

To solve this issue, some companies are looking for alternative ways of doing business. One of them is Gain & Co, an independent group of advisors on robotics & automation that often needs to visit companies in person.

The advisors are now starting to conduct factory visits from home, using virtual reality glasses. At the destination, a factory worker is live streaming video of the production facilities back to the advisors with the help of a 360-degree camera. A new way of working has emerged:

“Our work is dependent on our physical presence on the premises of the manufacturing companies we help automate,” says CEO of Gain & Co, Søren Peters. “Without these virtual visits, we wouldn’t be able to help companies realize their automation goals – which is now more important than ever.”

Difficult transition to replace physical presence

According to Peters, it is a challenge to do business during the COVID-19 crisis, because people are used to dealing with customers in person, especially in the manufacturing industry. Adjusting to a new reality without physical presence takes time.

A robotic advisor, for example, needs to inspect the manufacturing facilities intended for automation. This work requires great visual oversight of not just the machinery but also its environment.

“In our daily work, we need to look around and examine the facilities from many angles. It’s normal for customers to overlook areas with a high robot potential, so we need to be able to look at places they are not actively showing us,” says robot engineer and advisor at Gain & Co, Mikkel Viager and adds:

“With a regular video call, we wouldn’t have this ability. It requires a live, 360-degree video for us to work efficiently.”

VR breakthrough creates new ways of working

When in-person meetings are ruled out, the demands for technology and collaboration increase. Although virtual reality (VR) is not new, technical limitations have kept the technology from more widespread adoption.

“Many VR solutions suffer from a long response time between sender and receiver. This makes effective, real-time collaboration difficult,” says Viager.

The search for a working technology led the Danish advisors to US-based Imeve, a company rooted in the former engineering team of Nokia. Imeve invented a solution that lives up to the expectations of the professional team of Gain & Co.

“As more companies and countries limit or halt travel, businesses worldwide are being forced to find remote working solutions. Videoconferencing platforms like Zoom and Skype can replace a conference room, but, until now, there was no substitute for location-dependent meetings like facility walk-throughs, site inspections, and site-specific training,” says Imeve CEO Devon Copley. “Using AVATOUR to visit a location alongside someone thousands of miles away feels more like an in-person visit than a videoconference.”

Virtual visits keep the wheels turning

Several other companies are also making preparations to enable themselves for virtual factory visits. One of them is windmill producer Siemens Gamesa, which hopes to soon be able to further automate its production across its global factories.

“It’s essential for us to keep a steady production flow and to continue our efforts to automate it, regardless of the coronavirus crisis. Therefore, it is very important to introduce efforts like that of virtual factory visits, which both help keep the wheels turning and minimize the risk of infection,” says global Head of Tooling at Siemens Gamesa, Claus Lindberg Nielsen.

“We hope other companies will get inspired by this new way of working, so we all get through this crisis as smoothly as possible,” says Peters.

About Gain & Co

Gain & Co is a team of independent advisors on robots & automation. The company helps manufacturers automate production and succeed with robotics across three continents. Gain & Co is privately owned and based in Copenhagen, Denmark.

About Imeve

Imeve is a world leader in real-time remote collaboration, live 360° video, and virtual reality. Founded in January 2018 by key members of the groundbreaking Nokia OZO team, Imeve’s technology has powered some of the highest-profile live VR events in history, including the Coachella music festival and the UEFA Champions League playoffs. Their new AVATOUR platform is the world’s first multiparty immersive remote presence service, with a wide variety of applications across industries. Imeve is privately owned and based in San Francisco.

Contact:

Name: Jenna Clark

Email Address: jenna@imeve.com

Website URL: http://avatour.co

8th Wall announces end-to-end Hologram WebAR Solution

Learn the latest during our VR/AR Global Summit ONLINE Conference + Expo June 1-3

8th Wall platform now the best solution to use to create and publish volumetric video in augmented reality on the web. Developers can now choose the MRCS Hologram Template, drag and drop their Microsoft Mixed Reality Capture Studios volumetric video file and publish their WebAR project using the 8th Wall platform.

Contact:

Name: Tom Emrich

Email Address: tom@8thwall.com

Website URL: www.8thwall.com

Mozilla Announces Hubs Cloud!

Hubs Cloud is a new product offering from the Mozilla Mixed Reality group that allows companies and organizations to create their own private, social spaces that work with desktop, mobile, and VR headsets. Hubs Cloud contains the underlying architecture that runs hubs.mozilla.com, and is being offered in Early Access on AWS. With Hubs Cloud, it is now possible for external organizations to deploy, customize and configure their own unique instances of the Hubs platform.

Welcome to Hubs Cloud

When we began building Hubs, the plan was not to try and create a singular, shared online experience owned entirely by Mozilla. Instead, we wanted to create a platform that could be adopted and deployed by organizations to suit their own needs and build their own social applications that worked on both 2D and on VR devices. With that in mind, the team set out to build a set of collaboration tools with versatile web frameworks that could lay the foundation of a platform that provides private rooms, customizable avatars, and the power of virtual reality to connect people regardless of whether or not they were in a shared physical location.

Over the past several months, we’ve done a lot of work to provide a way for external development teams to stand up private instances of our Hubs infrastructure on an organizational AWS account. Hubs Cloud instances are compatible with the same avatars and scenes that are published on the main hubs.mozilla.com site, or you can choose to create your own content, unique to your application. Hubs Cloud offers access to an administrator panel that allows you to customize the branding for your site, approve scenes and avatars that are submitted, import default environments and set platform-wide room settings, and use your own domain names. And, since the deployment is done through your organization’s AWS account, you control the account access and data for your individual instances.

Read more here

Contact:

Name: Lars Berg

Email Address: larsberg@mozilla.com

Website URL: http://hubs.mozilla.com/cloud

First Responders to Use ThirdEye’s X2 MR Glasses During COVID-19 Outbreak

 ThirdEye is offering military-grade technology to first responders in the hopes of saving more lives during this pandemic. 

 
With the X2 MR Glasses, emergency medical teams and first responders will have access to critical life-saving data and communicate with emergency rooms and command centers in real-time. Its Remote Help Platform allows on-the-scene medical professionals to stream what they’re seeing directly to a remote expert and receive live feedback all while remaining hands-free – protecting both patient and first responder at the same time. The X2 MR Glasses can also generate thermal heat maps using its thermal scanner to detect if the patient has a fever.

The glasses’ thermal sensors detect elevated body temperatures and the MR Workspace telehealth app communicates with offsite healthcare professionals instantaneously

PRINCETON, NJ – April 28, 2020 – ThirdEye, a leader in augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) enterprise solutions, today announces its X2 MR Glasses are the first wearable computing solution that will be used by first responder EMS teams in the United States. The X2 MR Glasses will help these professionals detect fevers – a key symptom of COVID-19 – with an attached thermal sensor and consult medics remotely via telehealth through the glasses’ built-in Wi-Fi. The glasses enhance protection of those on the front lines of the pandemic and increase efficiency for COVID-19 response teams.

Under the pilot program, the firefighters at Marcus Hook Fire Department – which protects the borough of Marcus Hook near Philadelphia – will use the X2 MR Glasses equipped with an attachable FLIR (forward-looking infrared) thermal sensor to help stay safe, remain hands-free and keep focused during their mission-critical tasks.

“Our first responders are working 24/7 to help slow the spread of COVID-19, putting themselves and their families at risk as they’re exposed on the job,” said former Congressman Curt Weldon, who spearheaded the pilot program. “By equipping the Marcus Hook Fire Department fire fighters with X2 MR Glasses, we’re helping them stay safe on the job.”  

“We’re extremely happy to be on the forefront of technology and to begin implementing internally," said Fire Chief Ken Smith of Marcus Hook Fire Department.

The X2 MR Glasses will also allow the front-line personnel to communicate with medical professionals anywhere in the world in real-time, allowing critical feedback to be received instantaneously. At just 300 grams, these are the lightest MR glasses on the market and are suited for extensive wear in all conditions.

“Firefighters and first response EMS teams are risking their lives every day during this pandemic to ensure the safety and health of our communities,” said Nick Cherukuri, Founder and CEO of ThirdEye. “We’re excited to be working with Marcus Hook Fire Department and are looking forward to helping other first responders be better equipped.”

The Marcus Hook Fire Department will be the first to deploy the pilot program, which ThirdEye is also offering to other firefighter and first responder associations nationwide. 

For more information on ThirdEye, visit www.thirdeyegen.com.

About ThirdEye Gen

ThirdEye is a leader in smart glasses and AR/MR software development. While many companies today use just smart glasses or only software, ThirdEye provides a full end-to-end package for its customers and employees. It has hundreds of software developers creating apps ranging from games to entertainment to enterprise applications and its products retail around the world. From everyday consumers to Fortune 500 companies, ThirdEye is bringing the power of mixed reality globally. Mixed reality has the potential to change the way the world operates, and ThirdEye's vision is to help generate the future.   

Media Contact

Elsa Anschuetz

Uproar PR for ThirdEye Gen

eanschuetz@uproarpr.com

321.236.0102 x233

AVATAR Partners, Inc. partners with AVERtek to develop AR apps in experiential 4th dimension storytelling

AVATAR AR.png

Huntington Beach, CA – April 27, 2020 – AVATAR Partners, Inc. (API) is pleased to announce its strategic alliance partnership with AVERtek of Garden Grove, CA, bringing Extended Reality and Mixed Reality to experiential story telling.  AVERtek is a mixed reality agency that takes any print media into the 4th dimension. Founder Michael Renzi heads up a team who collectively have nearly 20 years of experience in Mixed Reality.  The power to convert print into a digital medium allows companies and brands to develop a personal connection with their prospects/customers by superimposing computer-generated images over reality. 

Extended Reality (XR) technology has proven its value for industrial use and as a powerful training tool. AVERtek’s mission is to bring this powerful communication and engagement tool to all types and sizes of business. It’s this mission statement that propelled AVERtek to develop an agnostic Universal XR-ASAP app, using Enhanced Hybrid Application technology, allowing multiple brands to provide Augmented Reality (AR) experiences for both their prospects and customers. The XR-ASAP App is free to both companies and users,  representing a one-time download into a portal of multiple brand experiences. AVERtek’s  approach has allowed any size company to venture into the realm of AR possibilities easily, quickly and at a low entry cost -- paving the way for AVERtek to develop additional XR  programs that lay the foundation for companies to utilize the vast power of this technology that directly engages people inside and outside their business.

At AVATAR Partners, we thrive on pioneering innovative solutions. Our teaming up with AVERtek is a continued step forward into the next dimension in mixed reality,” stated Marlo Brooke, CEO of AVATAR Partners.

About AVATAR Partners, Inc.

AVATAR Partners, Inc.’s (API) offers best-in-class Extended, Augmented and Mixed Reality software and solutions for the real world. Founded in 2003 API’s mission is to strengthen American commercial industry and warfighter readiness with innovative solutions, Simplifying Complex Systems® - increasing the efficiency, safety and effectiveness of equipment, systems and processes - at the point of need, cost effectively. 

For the past 15 years, API has developed and sustained innovative training systems, job performance aids, and software products for hundreds of military and commercial equipment and aircraft. 

AVATAR Partners is a woman-owned small business based in Huntington Beach, CA with offices in Arlington, VA and Virginia Beach, VA.

CONTACT

Name: Bart Young

Email Address: byoung@youngcompany.com

Website URL: http://www.avatarpartners.com

Get your Premium Access tickets by May 8th to our VR/AR Global Summit ONLINE Conference+Expo

Get your ticket for our VR/AR Global Summit ONLINE Conference+Expo! The event is free to attend, however, we strongly encourage you to get the Premium Access tickets by May 8th before prices increases!  

Get your ticket here!   

The Premium Access ticket includes everything in the Free ticket, plus so much more: 

  • Watch all presentations live 

  • Access to the Main stage: For keynotes, live streaming, live webinars, interviews, fireside chats, and more 

  • Access to all Sessions: For breakouts, group discussions, and meetings. Up to 500 viewers of 20 streaming participants

  • Access to Expo center: Visit vendor booths and demo products live. 100 booths expected! 

  • Access to Reception area where you will receive a warm welcome and start networking

  • Get all speaker recordings

  • Access to Networking sessions

  • Networking in groups

  • Networking 1-on-1, including with Sponsors and Speakers 

  • Access to Social Events 

  • Access to Sponsors activations 

  • And much more!

We want to emphasize the Networking benefit/value that comes with the Premium Access ticket: You will get to meet one-on-one and face-to-face with attendees using a special speed networking feature that will match you with the next best person available who wants to talk to you! 

We already invited 50,000+ to attend! The event is 3 days, across 3 time-zones. We are all about helping you grow your business, learn, and connect. So, get your Premium Access tickets now to get the maximum value from the networking activities, features, and functionality. 

Thanks!

-- VRARA Team 

Come la realtà virtuale può cambiare l'economia dopo il coronavirus (Interview with Wired and Lorenzo Montagna, VRARA Italy)

di Daniele Monaco Contributor

10 APR, 2020

Dalla moda all'ecommerce, dall'industria allo smart working, ecco come realtà aumentata e virtuale possono trasformare i business tradizionali (e lo stanno già facendo)

Sfilate di moda con avatar, 3Dcommerce, smartworking dei colletti blu e scuola in realtà virtuale: frontiere sempre più vicine, dal marketing all’intrattenimento, dall’immobiliare al mondo della formazione. Le regole di distanziamento sociale imposte dall’emergenza coronavirus rendono impossibile incontrarsi nel mondo fisico ma visori, smartglass e supporti olografici possono ricreare comunicazioni e rapporti personali, con tecnologie immersive di realtà virtuale (Vr), aumentata (Ar) e mista (Mr).

Se negli Stati Uniti Virtualitics già permette di visualizzare i big data in 3D all’interno di ambienti virtuali, realizzando uno scenario alla Minority Report, anche le software house italiane sono all’opera. Già prima della crisi Covid-19, la società di consulenza Pricewaterhouse Cooper ha previsto che il settore apporterà 1.500 miliardi di dollari e 23,3 milioni di nuovi posti di lavoro all’economia mondiale entro il 2030. La stima del contributo al Pil globale è di 360 miliardi di dollari nel manifatturiero, 351 nella medicina, 294,2 nella formazione, 275 nella manutenzione, 204 nel retail.

“Queste tecnologie sono state considerate finora più come un ‘nice to have’ che un investimento per la produttività e l’efficienza personale”, osserva Lorenzo Montagna, presidente di Vr/Ar Association, associazione del settore di Milano. “La crisi coronavirus accelererà un’adozione strategica di cui nessuno potrà fare a meno in futuro, per riprodurre il rapporto compratore-venditore, ricreare le occasioni di incontro intorno ai prodotti e tutte quelle situazioni in cui è utile una compresenza di persone come sport, intrattenimento e cultura. Anche per questo la Vr già funziona bene nella formazione”.

Formazione e manifatturiero

Tanto che a Bologna il Comune ha lanciato il progetto Classroom 3.0 per l’istituto tecnico industriale Aldini Valeriani, con Eon Reality, Fondazione Corazza e Fav. Da settembre 300 studenti dell’ultimo anno seguiranno lezioni in Ar/Vr, per simulare in un ecosistema digitale le attività che svolgeranno negli ambienti di lavoro. Un ponte tra scuola e mondo professionale, realizzato grazie a una piattaforma di contenuti generati dagli utenti, basata sul software Creator Avr.

I docenti utilizzeranno modelli e foto a 360° per creare le lezioni accedendo a CgTrader, il maggiore repository di modelli 3D del mondo, oppure caricando gli asset 3D prodotti dagli studenti, partendo da una web page in backend. Il tutto senza dover scrivere una riga di codice, mentre in frontend basterà scaricare un’app disponibile per iOS e Android.

Lo stesso potrà avvenire per la formazione dei dipendenti e l’assistenza da remoto su procedure di sicurezza, montaggio e operatività di macchinari, volte a garantire la continuità produttiva delle aziende in qualsiasi scenario. “Le applicazioni vanno dai processi di pressurizzazione gas alla saldatura, dai sequenziatori di Dna ai corsi per fare le crepes, attraverso nuovi paradigmi di formazione esperienziale e memoria muscolare che permettono di imparare quasi il doppio dei metodi tradizionali e che aumentano del 70% la capacità di memorizzare”, spiegano da Eon Reality.

Sul fronte della manutenzione

Lo conferma Marco Zanuttini, amministratore delegato di OverIt azienda friulana del gruppo Engineering, con clienti fra le multiutility del settore energetico, infrastrutture e telecomunicazioni (Eni, Enel, Italgas, Open Fiber…). “device di realtà aumentata sono stati spesso percepiti come un elemento ‘scenografico’ fra le soluzioni a disposizione di un’azienda”, osserva Zanuttini. “La crisi da coronavirus potrebbe però accelerare le sperimentazioni come già accaduto in Spagna, dove un’azienda ci ha chiesto l’installazione urgente dei software e l’invio immediato degli smartglass, per la manutenzione dei propri impianti, in mancanza di personale”.

È lo smartworking dei colletti blu, con i visori wearable destinati a superare tablet e smartphone come supporto per visualizzare un digital twin e comunicare con l’assistente remoto. “I dispositivi Ar sono utili quando il personale non può spostarsi in trasferta, per garantire il passaggio di know-how da un addetto senior a uno junior e per guidare da remoto personale non tecnico”, spiega Zanottini. “L’uso di un ambiente virtuale è ‘trasparente’ al problema, quando un impianto permette di per sé operazioni a distanza. È diverso quando è necessario avvalersi della presenza sul posto di personale, anche non specializzato, a cui l’Ar può garantire un’extended maintenance”.

Condividere oggetti virtuali sul campo visivo dell’utente per una smart assistance sul campo è la modalità con cui Joinpad supporta la manutenzione dei treni di Alstom a Sesto San Giovanni, mentre Uqido ha realizzato ambienti virtuali per addestrare i tecnici Nokia a riparare le antenne a 40 metri d’altezza. “Casi in cui se sbagli nella vita reale non hai una seconda chance”, osserva Pier Mattia Avesani, ad di Uqido (Padova). “La realtà virtuale permette di tracciare i movimenti e valutarli senza dover ricostruire la postazione per ogni apprendista, con grandi potenzialità nella medicina”.

Nella medicina

La prima operazione chirurgica al mondo in realtà aumentata è avvenuta di recente all’ospedale Sant’Orsola di Bologna. Lo specialista maxillo-facciale indossava il visore Vostars, realizzato nell’ambito di un progetto europeo coordinato dall’Università di Pisa. Nel campo visivo poteva visualizzare una linea virtuale in 3D lungo il percorso da seguire con lo strumento chirurgico. Il visore ha permesso per la prima volta una messa a fuoco coerente tra immagine virtuale e reale, quindi la giusta coordinazione occhio-mano nell’atto chirurgico.

A Milano, invece, i video immersivi di Impersive permettono di ricostruire l’esperienza del tecnico di laboratorio per il test sui campioni genomici di cellule tumorali. Il tirocinante che deve conseguire la formazione con i crediti Ecm può così ripetere l’esperienza senza dover assistere di persona alla procedura, registrata dal punto di vista del tecnico all’Università Federico II di Napoli.

“Grazie alle ecografie è possibile riprodurre immagini in Ar di organi e patologie, ma lo stesso vale con gli oggetti per moda e manifatturiero” – osserva Avesani – “quando gli agenti commerciali non possono spostarsi o recarsi alle fiere di settore è possibile ricreare un oggetto in 3D con milioni di poligoni grazie a tecniche di fotogrammetria”.

Il settore retail

“Il lockdown ha dato una forte accelerazione all’ecommerce ma la prossima frontiera è il nuovo standard ‘3DCommerce‘ che l’associazione americana Khronos Group sta elaborando, con il sostegno di circa 90 aziende del settore, da Amazon a Shopify, da CgTrader a Sketchfabsviluppando un’evoluzione del formato gLtf, usato per la trasmissione di asset 3D fotorealistici”. La previsione è di Matteo Esposito, ad di Invrsion di Milano, che realizza supermercati virtuali per gli studi di marketing di brand come Nestlé, Ferrero, Pepsi, Mondelez ed Esselunga.

“Il mondo della moda ha dei budget già allocati per le sfilate attualmente bloccate, ma potrebbe essere il primo a beneficiare della realtà virtuale per portare lo showroom al buyer e non viceversa” – spiega Esposito – “il problema sarà la riconversione di alcune maison che disegnano ancora i modelli a mano, fino a pochi giorni prima di andare in produzione”. Invrsion ha ricostruito in Vr un intero quartiere di Miami per consentire a un’agenzia immobiliare del posto di invitare i potenziali acquirenti all’acquisto di appartamenti con arredi griffati.

“Dubito che il futuro della Vr sia iperrealistico, aptico, olfattivo e multisensiorale” – osserva Esposito – “Facebook ha già venduto diversi milioni di Oculus e credo si andrà sempre più verso device standalone, con la potenza di calcolo del cloud in 5G ad alta risoluzione. Lavoriamo a un prodotto ecommerce affinché il retailer colleghi la propria piattaforma su questo tipo di supporto”.

“Fino a poco tempo fa eravamo un ‘gadget efficace’ per la grande industria, ma ora questa esperienza può diventare strategica. Tuttavia, per indossare un visore bisogna creare un motivo: vivere un’esperienza immersiva e un’interazione convincente”, conclude Guido Geminiani di Impersive, che da sei anni ha prodotto 300 progetti commerciali Vr per X-Factor, Sony e diverse squadre di Serie A. “Stiamo sviluppando demo per la moda, stanze virtuali per consentire ai buyer di interagire tramite avatar e vedere la nuova collezione presentata durante la fashion week”.

VEDI TUTTI

HOME ECONOMIA BUSINESS

Come la realtà virtuale può cambiare l'economia dopo il coronavirus

di Daniele Monaco

Contributor

10 APR, 2020

  • 532

  • *532CONDIVISIONI

Dalla moda all'ecommerce, dall'industria allo smart working, ecco come realtà aumentata e virtuale possono trasformare i business tradizionali (e lo stanno già facendo)

(foto: Getty Images)

Sfilate di moda con avatar, 3Dcommerce, smartworking dei colletti blu e scuola in realtà virtuale: frontiere sempre più vicine, dal marketing all’intrattenimento, dall’immobiliare al mondo della formazione. Le regole di distanziamento sociale imposte dall’emergenza coronavirus rendono impossibile incontrarsi nel mondo fisico ma visori, smartglass e supporti olografici possono ricreare comunicazioni e rapporti personali, con tecnologie immersive di realtà virtuale (Vr), aumentata (Ar) e mista (Mr).

Se negli Stati Uniti Virtualitics già permette di visualizzare i big data in 3D all’interno di ambienti virtuali, realizzando uno scenario alla Minority Report, anche le software house italiane sono all’opera. Già prima della crisi Covid-19, la società di consulenza Pricewaterhouse Cooper ha previsto che il settore apporterà 1.500 miliardi di dollari e 23,3 milioni di nuovi posti di lavoro all’economia mondiale entro il 2030. La stima del contributo al Pil globale è di 360 miliardi di dollari nel manifatturiero, 351 nella medicina, 294,2 nella formazione, 275 nella manutenzione, 204 nel retail.

“Queste tecnologie sono state considerate finora più come un ‘nice to have’ che un investimento per la produttività e l’efficienza personale”, osserva Lorenzo Montagna, presidente di Vr/Ar Association, associazione del settore di Milano. “La crisi coronavirus accelererà un’adozione strategica di cui nessuno potrà fare a meno in futuro, per riprodurre il rapporto compratore-venditore, ricreare le occasioni di incontro intorno ai prodotti e tutte quelle situazioni in cui è utile una compresenza di persone come sport, intrattenimento e cultura. Anche per questo la Vr già funziona bene nella formazione”.

Formazione e manifatturiero

Tanto che a Bologna il Comune ha lanciato il progetto Classroom 3.0 per l’istituto tecnico industriale Aldini Valeriani, con Eon Reality, Fondazione Corazza e Fav. Da settembre 300 studenti dell’ultimo anno seguiranno lezioni in Ar/Vr, per simulare in un ecosistema digitale le attività che svolgeranno negli ambienti di lavoro. Un ponte tra scuola e mondo professionale, realizzato grazie a una piattaforma di contenuti generati dagli utenti, basata sul software Creator Avr.

I docenti utilizzeranno modelli e foto a 360° per creare le lezioni accedendo a CgTrader, il maggiore repository di modelli 3D del mondo, oppure caricando gli asset 3D prodotti dagli studenti, partendo da una web page in backend. Il tutto senza dover scrivere una riga di codice, mentre in frontend basterà scaricare un’app disponibile per iOS e Android.

Lo stesso potrà avvenire per la formazione dei dipendenti e l’assistenza da remoto su procedure di sicurezza, montaggio e operatività di macchinari, volte a garantire la continuità produttiva delle aziende in qualsiasi scenario. “Le applicazioni vanno dai processi di pressurizzazione gas alla saldatura, dai sequenziatori di Dna ai corsi per fare le crepes, attraverso nuovi paradigmi di formazione esperienziale e memoria muscolare che permettono di imparare quasi il doppio dei metodi tradizionali e che aumentano del 70% la capacità di memorizzare”, spiegano da Eon Reality.

Visori e joystick fanno parte degli strumenti usati per la realtà virtuale (foto: RAEng_Publications da Pixabay)

Sul fronte della manutenzione

Lo conferma Marco Zanuttini, amministratore delegato di OverIt azienda friulana del gruppo Engineering, con clienti fra le multiutility del settore energetico, infrastrutture e telecomunicazioni (Eni, Enel, Italgas, Open Fiber…). “device di realtà aumentata sono stati spesso percepiti come un elemento ‘scenografico’ fra le soluzioni a disposizione di un’azienda”, osserva Zanuttini. “La crisi da coronavirus potrebbe però accelerare le sperimentazioni come già accaduto in Spagna, dove un’azienda ci ha chiesto l’installazione urgente dei software e l’invio immediato degli smartglass, per la manutenzione dei propri impianti, in mancanza di personale”.

È lo smartworking dei colletti blu, con i visori wearable destinati a superare tablet e smartphone come supporto per visualizzare un digital twin e comunicare con l’assistente remoto. “I dispositivi Ar sono utili quando il personale non può spostarsi in trasferta, per garantire il passaggio di know-how da un addetto senior a uno junior e per guidare da remoto personale non tecnico”, spiega Zanottini. “L’uso di un ambiente virtuale è ‘trasparente’ al problema, quando un impianto permette di per sé operazioni a distanza. È diverso quando è necessario avvalersi della presenza sul posto di personale, anche non specializzato, a cui l’Ar può garantire un’extended maintenance”.

Condividere oggetti virtuali sul campo visivo dell’utente per una smart assistance sul campo è la modalità con cui Joinpad supporta la manutenzione dei treni di Alstom a Sesto San Giovanni, mentre Uqido ha realizzato ambienti virtuali per addestrare i tecnici Nokia a riparare le antenne a 40 metri d’altezza. “Casi in cui se sbagli nella vita reale non hai una seconda chance”, osserva Pier Mattia Avesani, ad di Uqido (Padova). “La realtà virtuale permette di tracciare i movimenti e valutarli senza dover ricostruire la postazione per ogni apprendista, con grandi potenzialità nella medicina”.

Tecnico all’opera con realtà aumentata (foto: OverIT)

Nella medicina

La prima operazione chirurgica al mondo in realtà aumentata è avvenuta di recente all’ospedale Sant’Orsola di Bologna. Lo specialista maxillo-facciale indossava il visore Vostars, realizzato nell’ambito di un progetto europeo coordinato dall’Università di Pisa. Nel campo visivo poteva visualizzare una linea virtuale in 3D lungo il percorso da seguire con lo strumento chirurgico. Il visore ha permesso per la prima volta una messa a fuoco coerente tra immagine virtuale e reale, quindi la giusta coordinazione occhio-mano nell’atto chirurgico.

A Milano, invece, i video immersivi di Impersive permettono di ricostruire l’esperienza del tecnico di laboratorio per il test sui campioni genomici di cellule tumorali. Il tirocinante che deve conseguire la formazione con i crediti Ecm può così ripetere l’esperienza senza dover assistere di persona alla procedura, registrata dal punto di vista del tecnico all’Università Federico II di Napoli.

“Grazie alle ecografie è possibile riprodurre immagini in Ar di organi e patologie, ma lo stesso vale con gli oggetti per moda e manifatturiero” – osserva Avesani – “quando gli agenti commerciali non possono spostarsi o recarsi alle fiere di settore è possibile ricreare un oggetto in 3D con milioni di poligoni grazie a tecniche di fotogrammetria”.

Chirurgia 4.0: primo intervento in AR al mondo al Sant’Orsola di Bologna (foto uff. stampa)

Il settore retail

“Il lockdown ha dato una forte accelerazione all’ecommerce ma la prossima frontiera è il nuovo standard ‘3DCommerce‘ che l’associazione americana Khronos Group sta elaborando, con il sostegno di circa 90 aziende del settore, da Amazon a Shopify, da CgTrader a Sketchfabsviluppando un’evoluzione del formato gLtf, usato per la trasmissione di asset 3D fotorealistici”. La previsione è di Matteo Esposito, ad di Invrsion di Milano, che realizza supermercati virtuali per gli studi di marketing di brand come Nestlé, Ferrero, Pepsi, Mondelez ed Esselunga.

“Il mondo della moda ha dei budget già allocati per le sfilate attualmente bloccate, ma potrebbe essere il primo a beneficiare della realtà virtuale per portare lo showroom al buyer e non viceversa” – spiega Esposito – “il problema sarà la riconversione di alcune maison che disegnano ancora i modelli a mano, fino a pochi giorni prima di andare in produzione”. Invrsion ha ricostruito in Vr un intero quartiere di Miami per consentire a un’agenzia immobiliare del posto di invitare i potenziali acquirenti all’acquisto di appartamenti con arredi griffati.

“Dubito che il futuro della Vr sia iperrealistico, aptico, olfattivo e multisensiorale” – osserva Esposito – “Facebook ha già venduto diversi milioni di Oculus e credo si andrà sempre più verso device standalone, con la potenza di calcolo del cloud in 5G ad alta risoluzione. Lavoriamo a un prodotto ecommerce affinché il retailer colleghi la propria piattaforma su questo tipo di supporto”.

“Fino a poco tempo fa eravamo un ‘gadget efficace’ per la grande industria, ma ora questa esperienza può diventare strategica. Tuttavia, per indossare un visore bisogna creare un motivo: vivere un’esperienza immersiva e un’interazione convincente”, conclude Guido Geminiani di Impersive, che da sei anni ha prodotto 300 progetti commerciali Vr per X-Factor, Sony e diverse squadre di Serie A. “Stiamo sviluppando demo per la moda, stanze virtuali per consentire ai buyer di interagire tramite avatar e vedere la nuova collezione presentata durante la fashion week”.

“È un paradosso, molte aziende non sono pronte a cogliere le opportunità che la tecnologia già permettere per rivolgersi ai consumatori”, conclude Montagna, autore del libro Realtà virtuale e aumentata. Nuovi media per nuovi scenari di business (Hoepli). “Eppure uno dei vantaggi dell’Ar è che basta uno smartphone, ci sono progetti già realizzati nella cultura e nello sport, come il tour virtuale del museo “Ara Pacis com’era” e le finali Nba viste con Oculus. Finora nel business è mancata la ‘reason why’, ma a ben vedere questa tecnologia l’abbiamo già in tasca”.

Un primo passo? Sicuramente lo hanno già fatto migliaia di nerd di tutto il mondo, diventati insospettabili maratoneti grazie a Pokemon Go, sin dal 2016. Nell’attesa (in casa) di ulteriori sviluppi, non resta che dilettarci con gli animali in 3D realizzati con l’Arcore di Google Search.

Source

VRARA Germany Announces Advisory Board

With the relaunch of a German-wide Chapter (see here)…

…advisors have been chosen to help the ecosystem connect with various industry verticals. The Board will continue to grow in the coming months and our first group are veterans out of Advertising, Automotive, Energy, Shipbuilding & Technology sectors. So without further ado let us introduce you!

Jan Pflüger – AdvisXR

Jan was an early adopter of digital technologies for the creative area. The potential of VR was obvious for him, so he started exploring new interaction techniques and developed interaction devices for spatial environments in the field of research. This long-time passion has led him to establish the Center of Competence as a network hub for VR & AR, the place to inspire and influence the XR activities within Audi AG.

With his private label, advisXR, Jan advises startups and fosters network activities to drive and deliver the future in the field of XR. In his mission for an open XR ecosystem he establishes strategic partnerships and supports aspiring as well as established companies on their journey through the digital transformation.

David Thomson – Aveva

David graduated from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow as a Naval Architect, moving directly into the computer aided design industry where he implemented 3D design software in over 20 shipyards. He moved onto a consulting role in IBM Germany where he implemented and consulted leading engineering companies on Product Lifecycle Management systems.  He most recently lead a small team at AVEVA dedicated to developing the next generation of VR and AR apps to realize the vision of the digital asset on the world’s largest engineering projects.

Sabine Georg – Miami Ad School Europe

Sabine Georg has worked in the field of Digital Marketing and Communication since the late 90s. With a background in Fine Arts she actually ended going “digital” and started working for Google in various roles from 2005 up until her leaving in 2019.

Whilst working at Google, Sabine pioneered the Creative Agency Manager role, establishing relations to Germany’s leading creatives and consulting top agencies on “all things Google” with a focus on Digital Marketing and Creative Effectiveness.

Next to her Google Manager role, she worked as teacher and mentor at Miami Ad School Hamburg before she took over as Managing Director in June 2019. Being responsible for both Miami Ad School Europe locations in Hamburg and Berlin, pushing digital transformation and fostering the growth of international creative talent.

Sabine also is a certified Coach and a trained LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® facilitator – both qualifications she is now putting at use in her Managing Director role.

Rene Schulte – Valorem Reply

René Schulte is Director of Global Innovation at Valorem Reply working with teams across the globe on emerging technologies like the revolutionary 3D volumetric video telepresence solution HoloBeam and the AR Cloud enabling large, cross-platform user experiences with persistence.

He is a creative thought leader with a passion for UX and deep technical knowledge from more than 10 years in VR/AR/MR/XR technology and 3D programming, developing for the Microsoft HoloLens since 2015, and is listed as VR/AR/MR dev influencer. He also coded AI deep learning neural networks before it was cool and is leveraging modern AI to empower humans.

He also created popular open source libraries like WriteableBitmapEx and the AR library SLARToolKit. He was honored several times for his dev community work with the Microsoft MVP award and recognized as Microsoft Regional Director.

HIs work as part of the Global Advisory Board ties in with the work that we are doing in the German Ecosystem as he lives and works here…with his wife and their 5 children).