While the industry is currently going through something of a quiet patch when it comes to virtual reality (VR) related news, that certainly doesn’t mean that nothing at all is happening. In fact, as we’ve seen recently a number of names within the immersive technology industry are taking the time to refocus on their goals going forward, secure additional funding, and in some cases expand
Examples of this would be like digital out-of-home entertainment (DOE) specialists The VOID who are continuing their push to grow the business, revealing more and more venues particularly in North America. Just yesterday VRFocus brought you news of Munich-based augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) training firm Re’flekt, which has just secured over $4 million (USD) in investment and at the same time Pokemon GO developer Niantic Labs revealed the latest of several moves and acquisitions by purchasing VR studio Seismic Games, which recently launched Blade Runner: Revelations for Google Daydream.
Closer to home – for VRFocus, anyway – another company has revealed a new role as it looks to make inroads into North America. Immotion Group, another DOE company, recently floated on the London Stock Exchange’s junior market, AIM, generating £5.75 million (GBP) to add to the £500K it received in April and the £1.3 million back in December 2017. The move follows a number of new partners and venues being revealed this year, including Merlin Entertainments’ Lego Discovery Center in Boston which VRFocus reported on back in May and a venue in Birmingham, UK. Further locations are, according to Immotion Group, “under agreement”.
Immotion Group has appointed a North American Sales Director “to lead the company’s expansion drive in the region”, choosing Kyle Villella, who has a background in areas the company is likely to target, specifically outdoor activity entertainment centres and theme parks.
“We’re really happy to have Kyle lead the charge in the North American market.” said Immotion’s Group Commercial Director Rod Findley, “It’s important to have someone with deep experience across verticals as we expand our location-based VR offering across a wide range of venues in the US and Canada.”
“The Immotion Group has all the ingredients to be the leader in the out-of-home VR entertainment industry for the world.” Villella himself added. “The ongoing efforts have yielded amazing results and I’m proud and excited to help continue the rollout for North America.”
VRFocus will bring you more details on developments at Immotion Group as we get them.