Good day readers! Put on your smart glasses, whatever they are for now, and dive in into this week’s stories. Take a look:

Top Stories

Meta & EssilorLuxottica's new Ray-Ban smart glasses. The new launch includes AI enhancements, video streaming, an education-focused XR headset, and updates to improve the Quest 3 VR headset experience.

Microsoft and Google enter their AI era. Microsoft plans to invest over $50B and Google to maintain or exceed its $12B spending on their cloud infrastructure to meet the demand for AI services.

HaptX creates XR solutions for the visually impaired. The team is collaborating with universities to develop immersive touch simulations of braille and digital images.

In Funding

xAI close to securing $6B funding. The Open AI’s Competitor plans to integrate its technology and leverage data from Musk’s other ventures.

Trace has secured $2M pre-seed funding. Dubbed as the "Canva of AR," it aims to offer a beginner-friendly platform for AR content creation.

University of Iowa receives $2.5M from the US government. It aims to create a new cybersecurity center focused on protecting power grids.

Keep an eye on

XR: On April 30, position your XR work as top-tier, even outside of competitions, with the Nominations Briefing Webinar for the XR Awards, by AIXR.

Finance: The EU has approved new AML regulations that will mainly impact cryptocurrency.

Gaming: The Delta emulator is getting an iPad version soon, allowing users to enjoy Nintendo DS-like skins, soon enabling multiplayer mode.

Travel: Saudia launched the Travel Companion, that uses advanced AI to offer personalized solutions and streamline travel experiences.

Health: ETH Zurich researchers have developed an AI-based computer process to quickly design drug molecules based on protein structures.

Retail: Estée Lauder Companies and Microsoft collaborate to speed up product development, and ensure local market relevance, with AI.

Events to be at

• May 14 – 22 Cannes, France | Cannes XR

• May 22 - 23 Manchester, UK | DTX + UCX*

• June 26 – 28 Seoul, Korea | Metaverse Expo

• July 28 – August 1 Los Angeles, USA | Siggraph

• December 5 Rotterdam, The Netherlands | XR Awards*

Events marked with an asterisk (*) have special rates available for AIXR members. Email events@aixr.org to claim your discount code.

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Ready to start a new day? Please send any news and comments to team@aixr.org.

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April 29 2024 Edition - Issue 45

Good day readers! We may not bring you the news in 8K yet, but we hope you can still scan through them with clarity. Take a look at this week’s news:

Top Stories

Meta introduces education-focused features for Quest 3. This update will offer education-specific apps and features to facilitate learning experiences, such as virtual visits to historical places.

YouTube app on Quest 3 now supports 8K videos. This includes immersive 360° & 180°, and even those playing at 8K on Quest 3 may have lower bitrate compared to Apple Immersive Video.

NIH's AI tool predicts cancer patients' drug responses. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, the tool will enhance treatment accuracy, from autism screening to PTSD prediction.

In Funding

Evolution Equity Partners secures $1.1B. Aimed for new cybersecurity and AI fund, they will invest in top cybersecurity startups, focus on diversity.

Microsoft agrees to invest $1.5bn in Abu Dhabi's AI group G42. This collaboration will reinforce UAE’s position as an AI hub.

BBC to invest £6m in AI to improve education services. This move aims to personalize learning through BBC Bitesize.

Keep an eye on

Arts: The Poetry Camera, a blend of AI tech and artistic vision, captures images and transforms them into thought-provoking poetry.

Gaming: Sony hints a future where PlayStation plays your games for you, utilizing AI to mimic your gameplay style for tasks like grinding.

Hardware: Pimax announces two new VR headsets for this year, with over a year behind schedule on previously promised products.

Defense: A Russian company has created a combat drone named that can find and attack targets on its own using advanced AI technology.

Health: GE Healthcare’s new ultrasound systems employ AI to enhance clarity in women’s healthcare, with features like automated analysis.

Retail: Meta's new Imagine Feature allows users to easily create AI-generated images, democratizing the creation of imaginative visuals.

Events to be at

• April 29 - May 2 Orlando, USA | World Aviation Training Summit*

• May 14 – 22 Cannes, France | Cannes XR

• May 22 - 23 Manchester, UK | DTX + UCX*

• June 26 – 28 Seoul, Korea | Metaverse Expo

• July 28 – August 1 Los Angeles, USA | Siggraph

Events marked with an asterisk (*) have special rates available for AIXR members. Email events@aixr.org to claim your discount code.

View the full directory

Ready to start a new day? Please send any news and comments to team@aixr.org.

P.S.: if you want to sign up for this newsletter or share it with a friend or colleague, you can find us here.

April 22 2024 Edition - Issue 44

Hello readers! Let’s hope your coffee stays warm after eyeing all of these news in one sitting. Take a week at this week’s updates:

Top Stories

Honda launches Honda Scenic Audio. This is an AI-powered web app offering detailed scenic audio descriptions for blind and visually impaired passengers during road trips.

Meet SunoAI, the Chat GPT for music. Suno AI quickly generates songs with user prompts, sparking debate among musicians over its impact on creativity and royalties, though it embeds watermarks for identification.

Dyson is developing an AR vacuuming app. The Dyson CleanTrace for iPhone, enables users to digitally 'paint' areas, inspired by a viral AR cleaning prototype, and it will be available from June 2024.

In Funding

South Korea to invest 7$B in AI by 2027. This investment will make the country lead in AI chip technology and strengthen its industry.

FloQast gets $100M funding to boost finance automation. The company aims to expand and innovate in accounting software.

SiMa.ai secures $70 million in funding. This investment aims to launch a GenAI chip focused on multimodal processing.

Keep an eye on

Education: Hevolus and Lenovo are revolutionizing education with XR technology in classrooms.

Health: Osso VR, awarded company at the XR Awards, launches Osso Health for Apple Vision Pro, a hands-on experience for professionals.

Health: Microsoft, GE HealthCare, and LG Electronics have joined forces to enhance medical staff workflows and patient outcomes in South Korea.

Hardware: Humane's Ai Pin, a hands-free alternative to constant smartphone use, has received negative backlash from industry experts.;

Entertainment: Adobe is developing an AI model for generating video, to be integrated into Premiere Pro later this year.

Gaming: Buildbox 4 revolutionizes game creation with AI, allowing users to build games in minutes without code.

Events to be at

• April 29 - May 2 Orlando, USA | World Aviation Training Summit*

• May 14 – 22 Cannes, France | Cannes XR

• May 22 - 23 Manchester, UK | DTX + UCX*

• June 26 – 28 Seoul, Korea | Metaverse Expo

• July 28 – August 1 Los Angeles, USA | Siggraph

Events marked with an asterisk (*) have special rates available for AIXR members. Email events@aixr.org to claim your discount code.

View the full directory

Ready to start a new day? Please send any news and comments to team@aixr.org.

P.S.: if you want to sign up for this newsletter or share it with a friend or colleague, you can find us here.

April 15 2024 Edition - Issue 43

Good day readers! We sense one day we will be able to bring you the news (almost) face to face. But here are our written stories for now:

Top Stories

OpenAI develops Voice Engine. The new tool allows users to blend voices from short samples responsibly, with precautions like watermarking and limited initial access.

Apple introduces Spatial Personas features. Apple Vision Pro allows you to interact with personas as if they're in the same physical space, navigating through various apps.

Yahoo acquires Artifact. The AI platform will boost news sites and personalized content delivery, amid struggles for media startups.

In Funding

Amazon and Walmart ramp up investments in AI. Amazon is putting $2.75 billion into Anthropic and Walmart will integrate AI features.

Flip raises $144M in funding. The social commerce platform is introducing AI advertising, helping brands connect with customers.

Modal raises $25M to train corporate workers. The company will offer personalised training focused on data and AI trends, for corporate teams

Keep an eye on

Industry: Tarmac offers customer access to predictive AI for optimization of concrete mixes, cutting construction time.

Health: NTU Singapore scientists are creating AR contact lenses powered by human tears, with a longer life battery without external power sources.

Finance: AXA partners with Amazon Web Services to create “AXA Digital Commercial Platform”, using analytics and AI to help manage global risks.

Entertainment: Rokid introduces Rokid Station, an Android streaming box, which pairs with their Rokid AR glasses for an immersive experience.

Hardware: New Quest Store and App Lab apps won't support the original Oculus Quest, leaving owners with the need to upgrade to newer headsets.

Gaming: Microsoft is adding an AI-powered chatbot to Xbox, streamlining customer support and processes like game refunds.

Events to be at

• April 9 - 17 Morgan Hill, USA | Poppy Jasper Film Festival*

• April 11 - New York, USA | Virtual Reality NYC

• April 29 - May 2 Orlando, USA | World Aviation Training Summit*

• May 14 – 22 Cannes, France | Cannes XR

• May 22 - 23 Manchester, UK | DTX + UCX*

Events marked with an asterisk (*) have special rates available for AIXR members. Email events@aixr.org to claim your discount code.

View the full directory

Ready to start a new day? Please send any news and comments to team@aixr.org.

P.S.: if you want to sign up for this newsletter or share it with a friend or colleague, you can find us here.

April 8 2024 Edition - Issue 42

Top Stories

Sony's PSVR 2 Update Suggests Shift from PS5. Sony's recent update hints at wired PC VR support for PSVR 2, offering users more freedom from its limited game selection, which could signal a shift away from VR efforts.

Novo Nordisk Foundation is funding an AI supercomputer. Gefion, powered by Nvidia technology, aims to speed up drug discovery, with AI's potential to accelerate research.

Apple Vision Pro now supports WebXR. This advancement enables direct distribution of applications to Vision Pro headsets, bypassing app store requirements and prioritizing user privacy during input gestures.

In Funding

Saudi Arabia to invest $40B in AI. The investment involves partnering with Silicon Valley firms, signaling economic and geopolitical influence.

Pocket FM bags $103M for expansion. Platform is emphasizing a pay-as-you-go model, user-generated content, and AI-driven tools for creators.

Stanhope AI secures £2.3M for brain-inspired AI. Startup is tackling challenges like hallucination issues and energy costs.

Keep an eye on

Finance: Clearcover introduces AI solution to enhance insurance claims process, in order to simplify data collection.

Health: NHS hospital employs VR for pain and anxiety relief in Interventional Radiology, aiding recovery.

Retail: Cherry, an AI shopping assistant using images for product discovery, comparison, and personalized recommendations.

Training: LG launches “LG Air Solution Village", a platform for HVAC professionals that offers virtual showrooms and installation simulations.

Gaming: Flat2VR Studios is bringing flatscreen games to VR with Impact Reality's new venture.

Travel: Marriott Bonvoy's Homes & Villas introduces an AI tool that lets travelers describe their ideal trip and find matching properties effortlessly.

Events to be at

• April 3 - 4 Stuttgart, Germany | XR Expo

• April 9 - 17 Morgan Hill, USA | Poppy Jasper Film Festival*

• April 11 - New York, USA | Virtual Reality NYC

• April 29 - May 2 Orlando, USA | World Aviation Training Summit*

• May 22 - 23 Manchester, UK | DTX + UCX*

Events marked with an asterisk (*) have special rates available for AIXR members. Email events@aixr.org to claim your discount code.

View the full directory

Ready to start a new day? Please send any news and comments to team@aixr.org.

P.S.: if you want to sign up for this newsletter or share it with a friend or colleague, you can find us here.

March 25 2024 Edition - Issue 41

Top Stories

Apple considering using the Gemini AI model for iPhone features. The partnership with Google aims to explore OpenAI too, to catch up with AI competitors despite Gemini's issues.

New EU law protects music copyrights in AI. The EU has passed a law requiring AI companies to disclose copyrighted music used in their systems, with penalties for non-compliance, despite tech industry opposition.

Sony is pausing production of PSVR2. The halt in manufacturing comes after noticing slow sales by a lack of games and with inventory accumulating, which led to layoffs and new plans to expand content through PC support.

In Funding

RapidCanvas secures $7.5 million. Startup empowers businesses with AI solutions, marking the end for developers and data scientists.

Lithuanian military tech startup raises $100,000. Broswarm to develop drone-based mine detection technology, to address problem in Ukraine.

€4.5 million funding by Bpifrance. Investment aims to take advantage of the cloud gaming platform to change the way we play games.

Keep an eye on

Finance: TransUnion's platform merges AI and ML to streamline data analytics for financial institutions.

Health: Apple's Vision Pro headset aids UK surgeons, used as a surgical logistics tool at Cromwell Hospital.

Retail: Skincare Pro App now has a cloud-based CRM system that allows skincare professionals to provide personalized consultations.

Enterprise: A Devon quarry unveils the UK's first autonomous dump truck, a collaboration among stakeholders to enhance operational efficiency.

Aerospace: Stanford University researchers have developed ART, an AI system for autonomous spacecraft docking.

Travel: KAYAK unveils a suite of AI tools, including ChatGPT responses and a price check feature, which simplifies travel planning.

Events to be at

• March 28 Tartu, Estonia | Estonian Virtual and Augmented Reality Meetup

• April 3 - 4 Stuttgart, Germany | XR Expo

• April 9 - 17 Morgan Hill, USA | Poppy Jasper Film Festival*

• April 29 - May 2 Orlando, USA | World Aviation Training Summit*

• May 22 - 23 Manchester, UK | DTX + UCX*

Events marked with an asterisk (*) have special rates available for AIXR members. Email events@aixr.org to claim your discount code

View the full directory

Ready to start a new day? Please send any news and comments to team@aixr.org.

P.S.: if you want to sign up for this newsletter or share it with a friend or colleague, you can find us here.

March 18 2024 Edition - Issue 40

Top Stories

Meta is closing Oculus accounts by March. Users will have to switch to Meta accounts or lose access to content, marking the end of a chapter in the platform's history.

Ford to enter AR market soon. The automobile company has filed patents for AR technology in vehicles, including an augmented reality-powered weight indicator to enhance hauling and towing safety.

AI Tech is helping blind people. OpenAI's GPT-4 expanded accessibility for blind individuals through innovative technologies, sparking ethical discussions and emphasizing the need for inclusivity in AI development.

In Funding

AI2 Incubator secures $200M for startups. The company will offer up to $1 million for early-stage development and revenue generation.

€25 million funding to expand quantum software platform. Multiverse Computing wants to enhance computations across industries.

ChainGPT launches a grant program up to $1 million. Funding for startups in the AI and BlockChain ecosystem to drive Web3 advancements.

Keep an eye on

Entertainment: Twitch is updating its app to be more like TikTok, helping streamers engage with audiences when they're not live.

Media: Meta Horizon Worlds on Quest premieres The Faceless Lady, a VR horror series, blending Irish folklore with modern adaptation.

Retail: Hershey's Reese’s Caramel uses AI and image recognition to boost retail sales.

Health: Researchers at Cambridge used VR to detect early signs of Alzheimer's through navigation impairments.

Hardware: Showee's smart showers help people with disabilities gain independence and support caregivers; Oppo's Air Glass 3 integrates an AI assistant, offering voice interaction and enhanced features.

Events to be at

• March 18-19 San Francisco, USA | PGConnects*

• March 18 - 22 San Francisco, USA | GDC

• March 20-21 Texas, USA | DSS*

• April 9 - 17 Morgan Hill, USA | PJFF*

• April 29 - May 2 Orlando, USA | WATS*

Events marked with an asterisk (*) have special rates available for AIXR members. Email support@aixr.org to claim your discount code

View the full directory

Ready to start a new day? Please send any news and comments to team@aixr.org.

P.S.: if you want to sign up for this newsletter or share it with a friend or colleague, you can find us here.

March 11 2024 Edition - Issue 39

Top Stories

Klarna’s OpenAI integration mimics human interaction: Chatbot replaced 700 workers, handling two-thirds of the company's customer service queries.

Honda's XR Mobility Experience revolutionizes personal mobility: Honda's XR Mobility Experience integrates VR technology in personal mobility.

VR Therapy offers relief to palliative care patients: Over 50% of palliative care patients benefit from short VR sessions.

In Funding

Silence Laboratories secures $4.1 million in funding: $4.1 million funds will be used to grow its cryptographic security operations.

Inkitt secures $37M funding for storytelling: Inkitt to expand content production and develop personalized stories in self-publishing platform.

$6M in funding for AR glasses with multimodal AI nets: Funding of $6 million to launch AR glasses powered by AI assistant Noa.

Keep an eye on

Media: Apple receives €1.8B fine for limiting app developers from promoting other music services.

Entertainment: Ghosts of Tabor reveals new in game features and introduces a 'Streamer Camera' option for PC VR gaming;

Enterprise: Superhuman introduces instant email response feature powered by AI; Google reveals two new open LLMs for commercial use.

Health: UK researchers use AI to discover two distinct types of prostate cancer.

Training & Development: Intangles introduces new feature that monitorises diesel particulate filter regeneration.

Events to be at

• March 16 - 21 Shangai, China | IEEE VR

• March 18-19 San Francisco, USA | PGConnects

• March 20-21 Texas, USA | DSS

• April 3 – 4 Stuttgart, Germany | XR Expo

• May 14 – 22 May Cannes, France | Cannes XR

View the full directory

Ready to start a new day? Please send any news and comments to team@aixr.org.

P.S.: if you want to sign up for this newsletter or share it with a friend or colleague, you can find us here.

March 04 2024 Edition - Issue 38

Top Stories

Huawei Vision is challenging Apple’s Vision Pro. Huawei Vision promises a lighter build and a lower price. Features like EyeSight are still missing and the performance might not match due to its self-developed chips.

Google to revise Gemini’s historical inaccuracy. Gemini's image generation feature paused due to complaints about historical faultiness and biases. This sparked debate on societal implications and systemic racial power imbalances in AI models.

Stable Difusion 3 comes to market to defy its competitors. Release Stable Diffusion 3, a powerful image-generating AI model that wants to compete with recent offerings from OpenAI and Google.

In Funding

Flower Labs secures $20M in funding in Series A. This investment aims to simplify solutions and enhance their open-source framework for federated and decentralized AI.

College admissions made easier with in funding $15 million. Empowerly will launch a mobile app to help with competitive college admissions and personalized counseling.

Moonshot AI secures $1B+ in Series B. The investment shows the pioneering LLM technology for advanced human-machine interaction.

Keep an eye on

Safety & Security: Meta is addressing disinformation and misuse of generative AI ahead of the European Parliament elections in June.

Entertainment: Sony testing PC VR game access for PS VR2, expanding options for players.

Training & Development: The AI collaboration platform for home builders, Digs, expands AI capabilities;

Hardware: Apple and Meta to enable Quest as an AirPlay receiver; RealWear unveils new XR headset with thermal camera for safety.

Healthcare: South Korean start-up launches XR wearable displays for surgeons and advances surgical technology.

Events to be at

• March 16 - 21 Shangai, China | IEEE VR

• March 18 -22 San Francisco, USA | GDC

• April 3 – 4 Stuttgart, Germany | XR Expo

• May 14 – 22 May Cannes, France | Cannes XR

View the full directory

Ready to start a new day? Please send any news and comments to team@aixr.org.

P.S.: if you want to sign up for this newsletter or share it with a friend or colleague, you can find us here.

February 26 2024 Edition - Issue 37

Top Stories

OpenAI announces new Text-to-Video model. Sora is a new tool capable of generating videos from text prompts, potentially reshaping media, social media, and personal communication. The demo is already available.

Samsung’s next step in the XR Industry. Samsung is partnering with Google to develop an XR headset, aiming to compete with the other brands in the market. Faces challenges in replicating Apple's ecosystem

Mozilla Hubs shuts down. The WebXR social networking platform, is closing down after six years. The service, offering virtual 3D worlds in browsers, will become an open-source project. The community will take over its future development.

In Funding

Felix & Paul Studios Secures Multi-Million Dollar Financing. Felix & Paul Studios, secures multi-million dollar funding for its upcoming LBVR project. Their recent experience, Space Explorers: THE INFINITE, was an award winner at the XR Awards.

16M$ raised to fight deep fakes through detection. Clarity is in the race to develop a new deepfake-spotting tool after receiving a 16M$ investment. The startup is also setting to expand their range of customers.

Keep an eye on

Entertainment: Job & Vacation Simulator arrives soon to Apple’s Vision Pro; Blacktoop Hoops is set for release this spring with new “G.O.A.T. Campaign”.

Hardware: Startup “Vi” launches XR Gloves (and soon XR Headset) that allows you to workout at home.

Enterprise: Google launched Gemini 1.5 Pro, an upgraded language model designed to handle larger volumes of text and video.

Retail & Consumer: Tiktok becomes first big social media app to enter Vision Pro landscape; Meta announces the possibility to appeal bans on VR Game Horizon Worlds.

Healthcare: Proscia's Concentriq AP-Dx, a digital pathology solution, has obtained FDA 510(k) clearance for primary cancer diagnosis.

Events to be at

• February 26 - 29 Barcelona, Spain | MWC Barcelona

• February 27 Online | AIXR Community Partner Event

• March 16 - 21 Shangai, China | IEEE VR

• March 18 -22 San Francisco, USA | GDC

• April 3 – 4 Stuttgart, Germany | XR Expo

View the full directory

Ready to start a new day? Please send any news and comments to team@aixr.org.

P.S.: if you want to sign up for this newsletter or share it with a friend or colleague, you can find us here.

February 19 2024 Edition - Issue 36

Top Stories

Epic to Build $15 Billion Disney Game Universe, Plus Funding for VR, AI, 3D Companies. Epic aims to create a metaverse-like gaming experience that intertwines various Disney franchises into a virtual world. Fund for supporting VR, AI and 3D companies.

Dreamcast Classic 'Cosmic Smash' is back. The VR adaptation of "Cosmic Smash" aims to capture the original game's arcade-style gameplay and visual aesthetic while leveraging VR immersion. It will be released for Oculus Quest and Pico devices.

Inside Apple’s Vision Pro Extended world. All across the internet, the new uses of Apple’s Vision Pro Extender are sharing the pros, the cons and the challenges you might have to face if you decide to dive in.

In Funding

VR startup "NFL PEQ ERA" secures $20 million in funding from Google Venture. The company aims to revolutionize how fans engage with the NFL through virtual reality, offering an innovative platform for interactive experiences.

XReal raises $60 million for consumer-friendly AR glasses. The funding comes after Xreal showed off its Xreal Air 2 Ultra AR glasses at CES 2024, the big tech trade show in Las Vegas earlier this month.

Keep an eye on

Atmonky launches trueSpatial plugins for Unity. True Spatial revolutionizes your audio experience with immersive 3D sound. It places every sound element, delivering unparalleled clarity and depth.

HTC releases a beta for its Vive Ultimate Tracker. The Vive Ultimate Tracker is a cutting-edge device that enhances immersion and tracking precision across multiple platforms and can revolutionize VR experiences.

China’s XReal new Air 2 Ultra to be launched this spring. The new Air 2 Ultra for Android phones will retail for around $600. To date, the company has raised $300 million. According to CNBC, the new investment put its value in unicorn territory.

Events to be at

• February 06, London, UK | EU AI Act Summit

• February 26 - 29 Barcelona, Spain | MWC Barcelona

• March 16 - 21 Shangai, China | IEEE VR

• April 10 -12 Lava, France | Laval Virtual

• April 3 – 4 Stuttgart, Germany | XR Expo

View the full directory

Are we ready to start a new day? Please send any news and comments to team@aixr.org. P.S.: if you want to sign up for this newsletter or share it with a friend or colleague, you can find us here.

February 12 2024 Edition - Issue 35

Top Stories

Leaked Meta Quest 3 Unboxing Video Reveals New Look. It's 40% slimmer than the Quest 2 and the controllers have been updated for comfort but don’t have cameras. Meta's big reveal about Quest 3's price and launch date will be at the Meta Connect event on September 27 and 28.

SideQuest & Creature Launch $1M Indie VR Fund. Starting August 18th, creators can submit game pitches directly to Creature online, detailing both the game and their team. The collaboration aims to uncover and support the next big VR titles.

Snapchat's My AI Glitches, Posts Its Own Story. Snapchat's AI, known as "My AI", unexpectedly posted a Story and then stopped communicating. This AI feature, since its launch, has been both a subject of controversy and fascination among the app's users.

In Funding

AI Powerhouse Hugging Face Secures $235M. Valued at a significant $4.5 billion, the company provides a platform for open-source AI models for developers. Since 2016, their total funding has crossed $360 million.

Genesis Therapeutics, $200M, biotech & AI: Specializing in utilizing AI for drug discovery, their focus lies in making drug discovery more efficient, and the funding will help the company evolve and expand its AI platform.

Modular's $100M Breakthrough in AI. Modular, an AI software developer, closed a Series A round, with General Catalyst at the helm. Founded just a year ago, their total funding is now at $130 million.

Keep an eye on

The 2023 Gartner Hype Cycle has positioned generative AI at the 'Peak of Inflated Expectations, signaling both its rapid adoption and the challenges faced by enterprises in understanding its true potential.

Sandbox VR's Deadwood Valley experience has amassed $23 million in ticket sales over the past year, with projections reaching $100 million in lifetime sales.

Meta has initiated a closed beta for its Horizon Worlds on Android devices, marking a move away from Quest-only availability and positioning it to compete with leading metaverse apps.

OpenAI unveils ChatGPT Enterprise, an enhanced version of their chatbot app equipped with enterprise-focused features, aiming to tap into the market's growing demand and bolster the company's revenue.

Events to be at

• August 30 Singapore | AWE Asia 2023

• August 31 Venice | Venice Film Festival + AIXR Meetup!

• September 23 Online | Insights Live: How can CEOs stop feeling alone?

• September 19 - 21 San Francisco | TechCrunch Disrupt

• October 16-20 Dubai | GITEX Global

• November 30 Rotterdam | The 7th International VR Awards

View the full directory

Did that coffee do its job yet? Please send any news and comments to team@aixr.org.

August 28 2023 Edition - Issue 34

Top Stories

Images of Samsung’s forthcoming headset leak. Images of the mixed reality headset reveal a prototype which is said to boast four tracking cameras and dual cameras for passthrough, powered by a Samsung Exynos 2200 processor. The headset is not designed with hand controllers in mind, but will apparently use similar eye and hand tracking to the Apple Vision Pro. Samsung's mobile experience president TM Roh suggested the headset was "not too far away”.

Google’s DeepMind wing test AI life coach. DeepMind is testing a generative AI tool in a bid to create a personal life coach. The project will use generative AI to perform at least 21 tasks, including life advice, ideas, planning instructions, and tutoring tips. It is being tested for its ability to answer intimate questions about people's lives, with user suggestions based on personalised situations. For instance, the tool could teach skills, or provide meal and workout plans.

7th International VR Awards finalists are revealed. The VR Awards have announced the finalists for their 2023 edition. AIXR, in collaboration with Immersive Tech Week, will host the event in Rotterdam on November 30th. Amongst the finalists were Maze Theory, Sony, and Out Blue Games competing for VR Game of the Year while The Pico 4, Meta Quest Pro, and PlayStation®VR2 are amongst those battling for the title of VR Hardware of the Year.

MRTV launches ‘trymytech’ XR device trials. The German YouTuber’s platform will operate similarly to Airbnb, allowing users to try out XR devices in private homes. These devices will include VR headsets, AR headsets, haptic accessories, and treadmills from manufacturers like Pimax, Varjo, BHaptics, Xreal, and DPVR. An initial launch in Germany will support plans to expand to the US and the UK in the near future.

In Funding

ZTX close $13 million round. The Singapore based Web3 virtual world platform has closed its $13 million seed round, led by Jump Crypto. The platform, grown from a legacy Web2 business ZEPETO which has over 400 million lifetime users, plans to build on existing resources to contribute to a wider adoption of Web3 by global audiences.

Curiious take $1 million. The Sydney based virtual reality startup has raised $1 million, led by seed VC Galileo Ventures and existing backers. The funding will be used to accelerate product development, sales, and global expansion, with the company focusing on 3D worlds for customer engagement, job training, and marketing.

Sportsvisio raise $3 million. Founded in 2021, Sportsvisio are a Miami based AI-powered software company focused on bringing image-based and deep learning to all levels of sport in the analytics space. They raised the capital in a seed funding round led by Sapphire Sport, with the funds aimed at expanding operations and business reach.

Keep an eye on

Aphex Twin releases new AR app. Popular electronic musician Aphex Twin has released the app alongside his new EP. The app, called “YXBoZXh0d2lu” has been created by Japanese studio KALKUL and artist Weirdcore. By scanning the packaging of the physical release, fans can experience the tracks in 3 Dimensions. The app is available for download on Google Play and the Apple App Store.

PETA tour VR ‘Abduction’ experience through UK. The animal rights group have launched the virtual reality experience, called ‘Abduction’, which is touring the UK in August. Participants are placed in the position of an abducted person and witness human experiments. The VR experience intends to encourage empathy for animals suffering in UK labs.Abduction is also available at the Meta Quest store for free.

BMW launch MR experience to promote M4 Coupé. The German car manufacturer have introduced a mixed reality experience for its $86,000 M4 Competition Coupé, allowing drivers to control a real car on a racetrack while wearing a VR headset. The project, designed for use on the company's M test track, was developed for the M2 in 2022. The brand states there is potential for use in training courses and competitions.

Metal Band promote upcoming album with VR Game. War Of Being is a sci-fi game inspired by TesseracT's soon to be released album of the same name. Set on the fictional surreal planet ‘The Strangeland’ and created in Unreal Engine 5, it is available in virtual reality and desktop mode. Players must free ‘obsidian statues’ of the band's members. The game aims to incorporate the entire album, with both releases set to land on September 13.

Events to be at

• August 30 Singapore | AWE Asia 2023

• September 23 Online | Insights Live: How can CEOs stop feeling alone?

• October 24-26 Houston | The 10th Augmented Enterprise Summit

• November 30 Rotterdam | The 7th International VR Awards

>>> View the full directory

Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news and comments to team@aixr.org.

August 21 2023 Edition - Issue 33

Top Stories

Meta’s ‘Orion’ AR glasses will be ‘made in USA’. Meta is set to unveil its first AR glasses, Orion, in 2024. Around 1,000 units for internal use will initially be produced in the USA. The glasses will come at a high cost of manufacture, due to being made in the US thanks to their high-tech lenses which rely on silicon carbide. The compound, which is used in space telescopes and US military radars, is currently restricted from being exported to usual manufacturing hub China.

SIGGRAPH focus is making VR & AR ‘convincing’. Researchers at the annual conference are said to be focused on augmenting the physical sensations and feelings surrounding the use of VR and AR as opposed to improving graphical fidelity and sound. Meta, Sony, and the University of Chicago were amongst those showcasing ingenious peripherals aiming to improve user immersion, with weighted rumble packs and backpacks the picks of the technological innovations on show.

Sony patent could revolutionize VR technology. Sony has filed a patent that could enable headsets to detect and emulate real-life objects. The technology uses audio cues created by objects to accurately determine their material, allowing VR headsets to detect and recreate them digitally. This could enhance gameplay experiences, allow for the creation of realistic visuals and dimensions of emulated objects, and even assist disabled users such as eyeglass wearers.

Open letter demands AI copyright protection. Media organizations have called for rules protecting copyright in data used to train generative AI models. The open letter urges lawmakers to consider regulations to protect transparency and the consent of rights holders. Backed by organisations like Getty Images, the Associated Press and the National Writers Union, the letter comes soon after Google demonstrated its generative AI news writing tool Genesis to major news organizations.

In Funding

ShapesXR secure $8.6 million. The San Francisco based company aims to have their product become the industry standard for UI/UX design. Already in use by Meta, Logitech, and top universities, ShapesXR will use the seed funding to expand from Meta Quest headsets to new devices like Apple Vision Pro, Pico, and Magic Leap.

Cube3.ai take $8.2 million seed funding. The cryptocurrency-focused security startup, founded by Einaras Gravrock, uses machine learning and pattern matching to protect smart contracts by blocking malicious transactions. This technology is in high demand, with a reputation growing in the DeFi industry for hackers and cyber criminals to seek greater financial rewards.

Windup Minds raise $1.6 million pre-seed. The Seattle based company, which has hired industry veterans from Oculus, Electronic Arts, Magic Leap, and Bungie, aims to redefine player interaction with virtual creatures by leveraging animal cognition and emergent gameplay in the form of VR pet games. The company believes there is a demand for a ‘more immersive’ Nintendogs/Tamagotchi style experience.

Keep an eye on

UK startup bringing scent to VR. Scentient are developing a wearable device called ‘Escents’ that integrates smell into virtual reality. The device, which pairs with a VR headset, contains four cartridges filled with synthetic scents that mimic smells like smoke or natural gas. The device can be released at specific times or locations through a specialized app. Scentient's main focus is on training emergency service workers, who already use digital simulations to prepare for real-world disasters.

Nokia demonstrate 360-degree video broadcasting using 5G. In a joint demonstration with TPG Telecom and MediaTek, the organisation showcased a live 360-degree video broadcast discussing the future of the Metaverse. This was enabled by Nokia’s 5G Uplink Carrier Aggregation (CA) technology. The demonstration was a showcase of the tech which will prove to be a key requirement for the growth of the Industrial Metaverse.

Turbulence: Jamais Vu opens in Melbourne. Turbulence: Jamais Vu is a VR experience designed to simulate Ben Joseph Andrews' chronic vestibular condition. Andrews, who was diagnosed with the condition in his mid-20s, has produced the mixed reality experience in what is the most recent of a long line of immersive technologies that uniquely explore sensory conditions. It is available to experience at the current Melbourne International Film Festival.

Aston Martin launch Valhalla VR Experience. Developed with Zerolight and Nvidia's CloudXR technology, the experience is driven by VR headsets that allow customers to view a detailed 3D digital twin of their luxury Valhalla car, allowing them to virtually experience the car's interior and exterior specifications. This VR experience aims to create an immersive, uninterrupted connection between both the driver and the car, enhancing the customer experience.

Events to be at

• August 30 Singapore | AWE Asia 2023

• September 23 Online | Insights Live: How can CEOs stop feeling alone?

• October 24-26 Houston | The 10th Augmented Enterprise Summit

• November 30 Rotterdam | The 7th International VR Awards

>>> View the full directory

Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news and comments to team@aixr.org.

August 14 2023 Edition - Issue 32

Top Stories

Immersed launch ‘Visor’ XR headset. Immersed has introduced the ‘Visor’, which claims to be a next-generation AR/VR headset designed for the work environment. The company has partnered with an "undisclosed tech giant" to bring the Visor experience to life, prioritizing a comfort-first design with custom user fitting. The headset is set to be released in 2024, with a waitlist in operation and the price still unknown.

Apple chief Cook confident of 2024 launch. Apple CEO Tim Cook confirmed to investors that the company are on track to launch the Vision Pro mixed reality headset in early 2024, while also stating that he himself uses the device daily. According to market research firm Omdia, Production of the $3,500 headset could be as low as 200,000 units next year, primarily targeting developers and early adopters.

Meta Quest Roblox beta hits 1 million downloads. Roblox's beta has reached over 1 million downloads in its first five days of release on Meta’s App Lab. The move to Meta Quest headsets is the experience’s biggest step into the VR marketplace yet. Roblox CEO David Baszucki shared the news, stating it was "another step towards Roblox everywhere, on all devices."

Disney Metaverse chief leaves company. This brief has previously brought you news of the downsizing of Disney’s Metaverse departments. It was previously reported that Mike White, the ‘senior VP of next-generation storytelling and consumer experiences’ behind Disney’s Metaverse ambitions, would be kept on at the company. However, without comment, Disney has now confirmed that White has departed the company.

In Funding

Virtuix raises $5 million. The company have raised the funds for their VR treadmill product the Omni One. After a launch delay of 2 years as a result of the pandemic, Virtuix plans to use the capital to ramp up production in a bid to reach profitability by 2024. The delivery of 1,000 units to investors is expected by the end of 2023, with pre-orders for the general public expected in late 2023.

HOLOGATE take €8.3 million. The German XR solution specialists announced the raise after a series A funding round. Founded in 2013, HOLOGATE operate the world’s largest location-based VR network in over 450 locations. The funding will support international expansion in Europe and North America, as well as product development.

GoStudent raise $95 million. The late-stage tutor marketplace has raised the capital in what has been described as a strategic fundraise led by Deutsche Bank. The edtech organisation will use the raise to expand it’s VR language learning platform GoVR while also investigating the possibility of creating AI driven tools to aid tutors on the platform.

Keep an eye on

Big tech companies form AR alliance. The Alliance for OpenUSD (AOUSD) has been formed by tech companies like Apple, Pixar, Adobe, and NVIDIA to promote the standardization and development of a 3D file protocol for AR experiences. NVIDIA supports the creator Pixar's Universal Scene Description (USD) technology, which it claims has the potential to become the "HTML of the metaverse.”

Copenhagen Fashion Week goes digital. The largest fashion event in Scandinavia has partnered with Drest, a luxury mobile style game, to enhance its program with daily challenges. Users are invited to style avatars using real-life luxury brands, with the final looks voted for by the community. Drest have worked with over 260 luxury brands including Gucci, Prada, Off-White, Burberry, and Fendi.

The MET unveils new AR app. In what is the latest example of the art world stepping into the digital realm, The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York is introducing Replica, an augmented reality app that enables users to interact with its collection through Roblox. The app allows users to scan popular works, like Vincent van Gogh's Self-Portrait with a Straw Hat, and transfer them into Roblox.

AI tech is the talk of Edinburgh Fringe. The world renowned comedy and arts festival has seen a real impact from the ongoing Artificial Intelligence debate, with many acts this year looking to the current discourse for inspiration. Piotr Mirowski, a research scientist, has co-developed a show titled ‘Artificial Intelligence Improvisation’ featuring algorithmically generated jokes fed from an onstage robot in a bid to show the potential for tech in comedy.

Events to be at

• August 08 Online | Insights Live: How the Metaverse would Transform Education

• August 30 Singapore | AWE Asia 2023

• September 23 Online | Insights Live: How can CEOs stop feeling alone?

• October 24-26 Houston | The 10th Augmented Enterprise Summit

• November 30 Rotterdam | The 7th International VR Awards

>>> View the full directory

Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news and comments to team@aixr.org.

August 07 2023 Edition - Issue 31

Top Stories

Apple accept applications for Vision Pro dev kits. The tech giant has begun to open up to requests for hardware developer kits from app developers in an effort to ensure that enough content will be available on their first ever XR specific app store. The news comes amidst uncertainty regarding third party app support for the device, with only a few names confirmed during the WWDC June keynote. Apple are said to be providing regular check-in opportunities with experts to support the development process.

US AI leaders from industry safety group. Anthropic, Google, Microsoft and OpenAI have announced the creation of a “frontier model forum”. In a release co-authored by the members of the group, they confirm that they will exist to discuss the potential risks of AI, and support in the creation of industry standards. The forum also claim that they will support the development of applications to tackle threats like climate Change and cyber threats.

DPVR announce release of P2 headset. The P2 is the latest innovation from the Chinese manufacturer, who have developed the product for the enterprise market. The organisation claim that the new device will be geared towards corporations, schools, and medical institutions, with a focus on the use case of the device as a tool for training and efficiency improvement. DPVR are offering a customisation service for the device, allowing companies to tailor the headset hardware, software and branding to suit their own needs.

Japanese PM reaffirms country’s backing of Web3. In a web conference held on Tuesday, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida reaffirmed the commitment of his nation to Web3 and Metaverse technologies, with Japan being leading early adopters in the immersive tech field. Kishda also hinted that a major ‘ambitious’ project was underway by a large Japanese company which would create a “valuable economic system in the Metaverse”.

In Funding

American AR,VR and XR start-ups hit new funding heights. In an investigation by PitchBook, it was proven that US based AR, VR, and XR startups raised $208 million in June. This was considered a 12 month high, aside from a December anomaly, with FT claiming that the launch of Apple’s Vision Pro was considered to be a catalyst for increasing attention.

MediTel project takes £2.3 million funding. The finances were awarded after a competition by the Defence and Security Accelerator, with MediTel consisting of a robotic system designed to provide medical assistance in high-risk scenarios. Developed in just 9 months, the ‘tank like’ medical robots are controlled by doctors utilising VR headsets.

Quench.ai raise $5 million. The London based startup, founded in 2021, has created an AI coaching platform that recommends videos to users who wish to learn new skills. Focused on upskilling, Quench.ai claim that their self directed ‘video first’ coaching service will save users time by eliminating choice paralysis.

Keep an eye on

Utherverse launch closed beta of ‘next generation’. Set to arrive on September 26th, the closed beta will provide users with a preview of the Metaverse platforms Web3 capabilities. Users will be able to test what is being touted as the final build of the ‘next generation’ of the platform. Utherverse usernames can be claimed, and social options explored, including the buying and selling of virtual goods.

Meta roll out ‘anti-abuse’ solution to minimise piracy. Developers will be able to use the new Platform Integrity Attestation API, which ensures the authenticity of apps and detects tampered VR devices. Meta claim that this method of app validation is a major “levelling up” of app security, and a necessity as the Meta Quest ecosystem continues to grow in both users and app distribution numbers.

PICO announce partnership with SB22. The collaboration is said to focus on the development of VR sports entertainment experiences. The fast growing SB22, who specialise in the field of immersive sports gambling and gaming, claim that the partnership will allow them to take these experiences to another level of “realism, interactivity, and immersion.” The agreement will see PICO hosting these experiences on their hardware headsets.

Sony reveal PSVR 2 development prototypes. In a blog post issued by Sony, the history of the Playstation VR2 headset and its development cycle is laid bare. Sony claim that the development of the device began in 2016, incredibly soon after the release of the first model. Initial designs are shown for the headset itself, alongside various controller prototypes that came before the PSVR 2 sense emerged - including a Valve Index ‘ring’ clone.

Events to be at

• August 08 Online | Insights Live: How the Metaverse would Transform Education

• August 30 Singapore | AWE Asia 2023

• September 23 Online | Insights Live: How can CEOs stop feeling alone?

• October 24-26 Houston | The 10th Augmented Enterprise Summit

• November 30 Rotterdam | The 7th International VR Awards

>>> View the full directory

Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news and comments to team@aixr.org.

July 31 2023 Edition - Issue 30

Top Stories

Meta to stop producing Quest Pro. According to industry reports, Meta will shut down the Quest Pro project and also end work on a future Quest Pro 2. The news comes soon after the much anticipated launch of the Quest Pro in October as a product targeted at the enterprise/professional market. The move is said to be a result of significant project cuts at the organisation.

Samsung developing ‘Galaxy Ring’ wearable. Rumours are beginning to spread suggesting that the global electronics giant will be venturing into the smart ring industry, which is experiencing rapid growth. The ring will apparently marry a focus on health tracking with XR device integration, as suggested by existing patents filed by Samsung. The ‘Galaxy Ring’ could allow users to control other Samsung products as it will be embedded in the Samsung device ecosystem.

Meta’s Artemis glasses won’t feature high-end displays. Meta have been reported to be developing consumer facing AR glasses, dubbed the ‘Artemis’ glasses, for some time. Rumours have largely suggested that the device would make use of MicroLEDs, however information now suggests that the more dated Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCoS) technology will be utilised. Meta plan to make the first-generation pair of glasses available for select developers and internal tests next year.

Google testing news article writing AI tool. The product, dubbed ‘Genesis’, absorbs information from current events and then uses this to generate news stories. Although Google claim to be in the early stages of exploring the uses of the tool, news outlets like the New York Times, The Washington Post, and the Wall Street Journal’s owner News Corp have all been exposed to a pitch of the technology. Google stressed that the technology was not intended to replace real world journalists.

In Funding

Futureverse take $54 million. The company consists of an alliance of 11 different startups from the fields of blockchain, AI, metaverse and gaming. Although in their infancy as a collective, they are behind some large projects with strong ‘IPs’ having worked with soccer leaders FIFA. They intend to use the finances initially to invest in a gaming focused blockchain called “The Root Network”.

Monash University and Cortical Labs win $600k grant. The Australian research team are exploring synthetic biological intelligence by attempting to merge AI technology with human brain cells in a bid to produce ‘lifelong’ machine learning. The team have previously developed brain cells capable of playing Pong, in a much lauded experiment dubbed “DishBrain”.

Metabook XR secure seed backing. EvolveX accelerator, a fund led by strategic angels and community founders, have injected an undisclosed investment into the Indian organisation. Metabook XR’s mission is to enhance learning for students in compulsory education through “immersive virtual reality and augmented reality content”.

Keep an eye on

Snapchat provide AR for Alicia Keys. The musical artist has looked to Snapchat to provide AR augmentations throughout her ‘Keys to the Summer’ tour. Fans can scan album artwork to reveal messages and AR lenses, with geolocated lenses that produce a “larger than life Alicia Keys avatar” also being produced for the Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York dates on the tour.

“McNuggets Land” comes to The Sandbox. The U.S. fast food chain McDonald’s has stepped into the metaverse via it’s Hong Kong branch. The McNuggets Land virtual world has arrived to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Chicken McNugget product, with users able to earn real world McDonald’s coupons and ‘in game’ accessories by completing quests and activities in the Sandbox world. Users will have access to the world until August 28.

Pimax redesigning Portal View. The Chinese kickstarter hit startup have announced that their Portal View headset shell will be redesigned amidst missed shipping targets and bad reviews. Pimax themselves claimed that the original design wasn’t as comfortable and durable as hoped, and expect a redesigned headset to ship to 600+ backers between July and September.

UK Charity launch counselling service in the Metaverse. The Brighton and Hove based youth mental health charity Ditch the Label will use digital avatars to allow staff to interact with people via the Spatial platform. In a service that will begin in autumn, trained psychotherapists, counsellors and psychiatrists will provide free support. Ditch the Label claim they are taking to the Metaverse in a bit to support in communities that are known to be inhabited by young people.

Events to be at

• August 08 Online | Insights Live: How the Metaverse would Transform Education

• August 30 Singapore | AWE Asia 2023

• September 23 Online | Insights Live: How can CEOs stop feeling alone?

• October 24-26 Houston | The 10th Augmented Enterprise Summit

• November 30 Rotterdam | The 7th International VR Awards

>>> View the full directory

Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news and comments to team@aixr.org.

July 24 2023 Edition - Issue 29

Top Stories

Roblox coming to Meta’s Quest VR headsets. Following strong rumours suggesting that the online gaming platform would become available, Meta have confirmed that Roblox will be coming to Quest VR headsets. An open beta will become available on the App Lab in the coming weeks, with players able to access the game on Quest 2, Quest Pro, and the forthcoming Quest 3.

The EU plans to avoid big tech Metaverse dominance. A recent European Commission meeting led to the announcement of a plan to establish an industrial ecosystem which would enable the EU to become the global leader in the Metaverse and prevent big tech domination. The EU have set out initiatives in a bid to improve opportunities for smaller companies in the face of greater sized rivals, with economic growth the major target.

Mark Lucovsky quits post at Google AR. Mark served as head of operating systems in the AR team at the search giant, which has been beset by numerous issues in recent months. Mark’s departure is the latest in a long run of leadership changes while also following multiple rounds of substantial layoffs. His reason for leaving was cited as being due to the company’s ‘unstable commitment and vision’.

Elon Musk announces new AI start-up. Elon’s latest move sees the birth of a new company called 'xAI’, of which the goal is to “understand the true nature of the universe” according to founder Musk. The founding of xAI comes after the relationship between the billionaire Musk and Open AI - creators of the language model ChatGPT that he once passionately supported - soured amidst claims of a ‘liberal bias’ within the tech itself.

In Funding

Sol Reader raise $5 million. Sol Reader emerged as a VR headset designed specifically for the purpose of reading books. The device aims to provide an immersive reading environment in the form of a VR led focused reading experience that eliminates distractions found on typical digital devices.

MicroOLED take €21 million. The fundraising round, led by Jolt Capital, will enable the OLED microdisplay manufacturer to finance research and development of a new range of forthcoming full color, high luminance OLED solutions, to expand manufacturing capabilities, and to grow an international sales team.

FourPlus secure $1.29 million. The UK based immersive tech company has secured the funding from Innovate UK, as it looks to develop a mixed-reality training platform built for use in the biopharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. A demonstrable version of the platform is predicted to be available by the end of 2023.

Keep an eye on

BMW invite customers to new metaverse. The BMW Motorrad MetaRide is a new virtual brand space hosted on the VR social platform Spatial. The new world is dedicated to the BMW CE 02, a new motorcycle from the auto manufacturer. Users can create an avatar and then engage in a virtual test ride, play basketball, and collect virtual tokens plus a custom digital jacket.

ByteDance establish ‘Pico Lab’. The new service is essentially a Pico equivalent for the Meta’s existing Quest ‘App Lab’. Pico Lab intends to allow smaller developers to host and share their content with possible users. It can also serve as a manner for larger devs to publicly test ideas. The major difference between Pico Lab and the App Lab is that Pico Lab will currently only support free apps and no in-app payments.

Korg release VR music production software. ‘Korg Gadget’ is being made available on iOS, Mac, Windows and Nintendo Switch. When paired with a compatible VR headset, Korg Gadget will create an “intuitive” user interface within a virtual studio complete with synths and other instruments. The VR software arranges the studio in a 360° environment around the user, encouraging interaction with the 3D environment.

FitXR claim women’s workouts create new VR customers. Sam Cole is the creator of FitXR, a VR exercise app available for Meta’s Quest headsets. In an interview, Cole claims that the stereotyped early adopter audience of ‘young men’ is being augmented with time, with women in their mid-thirties and older said to be taking interest in headset tech for use as fitness equipment as opposed to a gaming or enterprise device.

Events to be at

• August 08 Online | Insights Live: How the Metaverse would Transform Education

• August 30 Singapore | AWE Asia 2023

• September 23 Online | Insights Live: How can CEOs stop feeling alone?

• October 24-26 Houston | The 10th Augmented Enterprise Summit

• November 30 Rotterdam | The 7th International VR Awards

>>> View the full directory

Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news and comments to team@aixr.org.

July 17 2023 Edition - Issue 28

Top Stories

Apple Vision Pro headset to launch on ‘appointment-only’ basis. According to a report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, prospective buyers of the $3499 device will require an appointment to purchase the headset from the Apple store. A face scan may also be included in the process as Apple look to ensure the physical fit of the device is as optimised as possible for all future users. The ‘appointment-only’ model has been used by Apple before, most notably in the first rollout of the Apple Watch in 2015.

Samsung delay forthcoming headset project. February saw Samsung officially announce plans to develop an XR headset in alliance with Google. However, reports from South Korean news outlet SBS Biz suggest that a planned production target of early 2024 will be missed. Instead, the new target will be 3-6 months later. According to sources, Samsung’s delay has been prompted by the reveal of the Apple Vision Pro specifications, with Samsung choosing to redesign and potentially upgrade their own specs as a result.

Xreal Air shipments surge amidst industry resurgence. The Alibaba backed brand Xreal - recently rebranded from original name ‘Nreal’ - report that their ‘Air’ headset will soon reach 200,000 units shipped less than a year since launch. Co-Founder Peng Jin made mention of surging interest in ‘spatial computing’ as a result of Apple’s announcement of the Vision Pro. Xreal’s Air glasses retail for $379, a tenth of the planned $3,500 price that Apple to introduce for the Vision Pro.

OpenAI announce GPT-4 general availability. The latest text-generating model from OpenAI will be available through its API, with all existing OpenAI developers with “a history of successful payments” having the ability to access GPT-4. The new iteration of the model will accept image inputs, something that wasn’t possible on GPT-3.5. However, this ability is currently limited to testing by a single partner organisation named “Be My Eyes”, with it being unconfirmed as to when this will be opened up to all customers.

In Funding

Runway gains $141 million. The New York based company have secured the funding from high profile investors, such as Google, Salesforce inc, and Nvidia. Founded in 2018, Runway is targeted at filmmakers, photographers and cinematographers as a text to video model that allows users to create videos using pre-existing images and text prompts.

Voice.ai raise $6 million. The funding round was led by Mucker Capital and M13, with Voice.ai emerging as a tool that allows users to change their voices in real time using AI. The service has more than 480,000 users, and a library of 50,000 voice filters. The startup’s technology is currently in heavy demand from gamers and content creators.

Immersive Fox secure €3.3 million. The London based startup offer clients in sales and corporate communication industries the ability to create AI generated personalised videos on mass - ideal as an enhancement to the customer experience. Immersive Fox hope to use the funding to advance the AI tech that powers the video content creation tool.

Keep an eye on

NASA create virtual data worlds with VR and AI. Reports suggest that US Space agency NASA have been experimenting with virtual and mixed reality technology at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California. The focus of investigations has been to improve data visualisation, with tracking geological features on Mars being cited as a potential application the tests.

HTC quietly drop the Vive Cosmos headset in the US. A reddit user investigating the disappearance of the HTC Vive Cosmos product page sparked an investigation which resulted in the confirmation of a quiet removal of the device. Being out of stock for some time in the US, new devices are still available from HTC in Europe, Australia, Taiwan and Japan amongst other select markets.

VR credited with German U17 soccer success. Germany triumphed in the Hungary 2023 European Under 17s Football Championship. In a series of interviews, head coach Christian Wuck and head of intelligence Sebastian Koppers spoke out about the use of VR technology in player training. 10 of the 11 players who won the title took part in almost 3 years of VR training classes designed to improve awareness on the pitch.

Alibaba and Huawei take huge AI steps. In the international battle for position in the AI race, both Alibaba and Huawei showcased new initiatives at conferences in China this week. Alibaba Cloud unveiled an image generator called Tongyi Wanxiang, while Huawei demonstrated the third iteration of the Panggu AI model. It is suggested aggressive development of AI products will continue amidst the generative AI boom.

Events to be at

• July 11 Online | Insights Live: The Importance of Inclusivity and Diversity within the Metaverse

• August 08 Online | Insights Live: How the Metaverse would Transform Education

• August 30 Singapore | AWE Asia 2023

• September 23 Online | Insights Live: How can CEOs stop feeling alone?

• October 24-26 Houston | The 10th Augmented Enterprise Summit

• November 30 Rotterdam | The 7th International VR Awards

>>> View the full directory

Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news and comments to team@aixr.org.

July 10 2023 Edition - Issue 27

Top Stories

Google reportedly kill off Project Iris AR Glasses. The ‘Project Iris’ AR headset was revealed in January 2022, with it being predicted that the device would go toe to toe with rumoured headgear from Meta and Apple. In the wake of those organisations releasing and revealing devices, Google are rumoured to have pulled the plug on the ‘Project Iris’ project with a view to focusing on software as opposed to hardware. An internal report does however rumour that the planned headset may become the foundations of a potential project undertaken between Google, Samsung and Qualcomm.

Meta launch VR subscription service. The Meta Quest+ service will reward paying users with access to two new games per month. The service, similar to premium tier access passes provided by gaming industry competitors Xbox and Playstation, will cost $7.99 a month, or $59.99 for an annual subscription. Compatibility with Quest 2, Quest Pro and Quest 3 is confirmed, with the decision to begin the service an apparent step towards making the immersive tech side of Meta profitable.

EU big names battle new AI regulatory act. A collection of over 150 executives have signed an open letter urging the EU to rethink plans to regulate AI use. Some of the biggest companies in Europe have signed up to the letter with execs from Renault, Heineken and Airbus amongst others deeming the EU’s recently approved AI regulations - presented in the Artificial Intelligence act - as ineffective and damaging to competition.

Steam reportedly reject AI art game. The use of AI in creative projects, not least the creation of AI assets in video games, has been subject to controversy. In a reddit post, which has spread via a viral tweet, it has been noted that Valve’s steam service apparently rejected a game due to the use of AI image assets that appropriated third party intellectual property. The move has been celebrated by game devs and artists, however Steam have yet to announce this stance as an official policy.

In Funding

Augmedics secure $82.5 million. In a round led by CPMG, the pioneering AR surgical navigation company Augmedics added the funds in the same week in which their xvision Spine system treated a 4,000th patient in the US. Augmedics intent to use the funds to rapidly expand their US commercial footprint.

Meta announce $250,000 Indian grant. A new mixed reality programme has been inaugurated in India, with the $250,000 set to go to Indian startups and developers keen to build an XR ecosystem within the country. Alongside the funds, up to five Indian startups will receive dedicated mentorship and guidance from Meta’s Reality Labs experts.

Brilliant Labs claim over $3 million. The Singapore-based startup develops AR wearables ‘powered by ChatGPT’. Brilliant Labs seed round was led by some big names, including the cofounder of OculusVR Brendan Iribe and cofounder of Siri Adam Cheyer. Funding comes soon after the launch of Brilliant Labs first product, an AR app building ‘monocle’ with a built-in microphone and smart camera.

Keep an eye on

Niantic lays off approx 230 employees and closes LA studio. The creators of the successful AR game Pokémon Go have announced the closure of their LA development studio and conducted the layoffs in a bid to ensure financial stability. The move has also led to the game ‘NBA All World’ being discontinued, and the release of ‘Marvel World of Heroes’ will be indefinitely postponed.

Ryuichi Sakamoto’s ‘final performance’ in mixed reality. A 45 minute mixed reality live musical performance named ‘Kagami’ has begun, featuring a virtual representation of the Oscar winning composer who passed away in March after battling cancer. The installation - produced by Tin Drum - has been confirmed to run In Manhattan, Manchester, and the Sydney Opera House, as attendees are invited to don Magic Leap 2 headsets and wander around the performance area.

‘First live combat sport in the Metaverse’ takes place. Former world champion boxer Roy Jones Jr will battle bodybuilder ‘NDO Champ’ in a bout which is said to be taking place live ‘in the Metaverse’. The first of its kind event will see the live action transposed into the Metaverse via the use of ‘volumetric capture’ technology. Jones Jr suggested that the opportunity to be the first person to compete in a Metaverse bout was motivation to agree to take part in the event.

VR title from Rockstar Games could be in the works. Industry sleuths suggest that a potential new VR game from Grand Theft Auto makers Rockstar Games was leaked via the resume of an actor. Michael Ursu, who has worked on several VR games for Rockstar Games owner Take Two, listed “unnamed Rockstar game” under the VR column of his resume. This entry has now been deleted, in an indication that the project was not ready for public announcement. There has been no official statement from Rockstar Games.

Events to be at

• July 11 Online | Insights Live: The Importance of Inclusivity and Diversity within the Metaverse

• August 08 Online | Insights Live: How the Metaverse would Transform Education

• August 30 Singapore | AWE Asia 2023

• September 23 Online | Insights Live: How can CEOs stop feeling alone?

• October 24-26 Houston | The 10th Augmented Enterprise Summit

• November 30 Rotterdam | The 7th International VR Awards

>>> View the full directory

Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news and comments to team@aixr.org.

July 03 2023 Edition - Issue 26