Virtual Perceptions

The Immersive Wire

Weekly analysis of the immersive industry

By Tom Ffiske // 10 June 2020New to the newsletter? 

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Blending learning theory, gaming interaction design and technical excellence, Make Real Ltd creates immersive learning experiences based upon measured, validated outcomes. From Virtual Reality to web and mobile serious games, Make Real Ltd works with large global enterprise customers across a range of sectors, including AEC, automotive and finance.

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THE BIG STORY

g when compared to one of the most significant social events in America's recent history. I mention this because an ugly side of the immersive industry appeared again on Twitter; the techno-solutionists. The band of people out of touch with the real world, who suggest tech solutions to deeply-embedded social problems. In most cases, these people look like tone-deaf entrepreneurs who are pushing their products or services. Sometimes the solutions might actually work well, such as apps that train how to wear masks properly. But in many cases, it's obtuse nonsense. The worst case I've seen was one person who suggested doing protests in virtual reality, so that they would be more peaceful and safe. No. The point of protests is to be public, loud, and in front of as many people as possible. Hiding in a living room and raising a virtual placard lacks the power of thousands outside the White House. My advice to companies is to be careful. Don't peddle immersive solutions to sensitive social problems, unless the value is 100 per cent evident. 

OTHER STORIES

Still, a lot has happened recently. *Sips tea*. Let's get started. *Deep breath*

• From Glasgow? Glasgow ARVR is looking for someone to run the group.Check them out. 

• Augmentor, Digital Catapult’s leading 12-week accelerator programme for immersive technology startups, has 'launched an open call to find 10 B2B companies developing innovative, investment-ready, commercially focused applications with immersive technologies.' Check out the detailshere, and expect to hear more from me soon.

• GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy and Virtualware introduced a concept for workforce training based on VR immersive rooms. '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', said Ricardo Moreno, GE Hitachi VP for Europe.

• Interested in learning about how to code hand tracking? XR Bootcamp launched a new course where users can learn more. Sign up by the end of today if you're interested. 

• MetaVRse launched a new tool for global organisations to create web-based 3D/XR experiences. 'Our mission is to unlock the power of spatial computing (3D/XR) for everyone,' said MetaVRse CEO Alan Smithson. Neat.

• Pico and VictoryXR gave an exclusive tour of the new virtual VictoryXR Academy – the world's first fully interactive virtual reality campus with classrooms, field trips, lesson plans... and a time machine. 

• Unity announced Unity MARS: a first-of-its-kind mixed and augmented reality authoring studio that gives creators across industries the power to build intelligent AR content seamlessly. Looks amazing! 

• StoryFutures Academy announced the first recipients of grant funding for its Train the Trainer scheme. 'We are bringing together interdisciplinary teams from seven different UK universities to help establish a new framework of knowledge and some key principles for immersive production. The ambition is to build a network so trainers are able to learn from each other and drive effective pathways for the next generation of immersive storytellers,' said StoryFutures Academy Executive Producer, Amanda Murphy.

• Outside 3D is a new augmented reality education app, which combines 'simplified explanations of subject matters with incredible live animations, high quality audio narrations, [and] interesting fun facts.' Outside 3D is the brainchild of Toro Orero, a Nigerian entrepreneur.

• Yup, it's another immersive events company capitalising on the growth of remote working. Origination Global announced the launch of The Virtual Event Company, which provides immersive virtual experiences for 'lasting customer brand engagement,' offering webinars, festivals, award ceremonies, conferences, congresses, trade shows and product launches.

• Vicon teamed up with Europa-Park and VR coaster to create a 'world-first' technology platform that will support the biggest full-body VR experiences. I hope they open parks soon! 

• HTC announced that Bodyswaps, the VR soft skills training specialist, has recently been accepted into VIVE X, HTC’s global XR accelerator program. I know the team, and it's fully deserved. Nice work! 

• Fast Travel Games announced a VR horror game called Wraith: The Oblivion - Afterlife, coming to all major VR platforms. Sharing the same universe as Vampire: The Masquerade and Werewolf: The Apocalypse, Afterlife will let players enter the World of Darkness in virtual reality for the first time ever.

• Two headsets appeared! As you may already know, HP unveiled its latest virtual reality (VR) headset, the HP Reverb G2, in collaboration with industry leaders Valve and Microsoft. Lenovo also announced the Lenovo Mirage VR S3 headset. I look forward to trying it out and comparing it to other competitors. 

• Finally, the Cyber XR Coalition launched their immersive technology standards for inclusion, accessability, ethics, and safety.It is absolutely worth a read.

PEOPLE MOVES

• Nothing of note this week. Huzzah. 

If your company has a significant hire or promotion, please let me know by replying to this email and I shall add them.

SARAH TICHO - THE IMMERSIVE WIRE INTERVIEW

Sarah Ticho is the Founder of Hatsumi, who has also worked as a producer, researcher and curator specialising in arts, health and immersive technology.We talked about the benefits of VR in healthcare, particularly when it comes to dulling pain. How can immersive tech help save lives? 

FINAL WORD