The use of immersive technologies with military connotations usually involves augmented reality (AR) more than virtual reality (VR) – at least in practical usage. Use beyond education, training or designing of military equipment, although there are certainly companies out there looking to VR for military solutions. Palmer Luckey’s start up Anduril comes to mind in that instance.
Actually it is something of a combination of the two technologies that are finding military application, on this occasion. With aerospace and defense technologies firm Honeywell teaming up with the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to test a proof-of-concept prototype for an advanced head-mounted display (HMD) – or ‘vision system’ as it termed in the company’s press release – in use with the U.S. Army’s Bradley Fighting Vehicle. A plan for which was revealed two years ago.
Testing is currently underway for the HMD, which in essence allows a soldier to see all around the outside of the combat vehicle despite them being in a sealed environment with no other points of view, and one that doesn’t require a soldier to be visible. This is termed a a “closed-hatch” environment in military circles, with camera feeds and other imagery projected into each eye via holographic elements and augmented by information from an existing 360 degree array of sensors on the vehicle.
It is similar to some projects already being investigated by other military organisations.
“As the battlefield evolves and newer technologies become available for us to use, so does our research and approach to future combat vehicles,” explains John Vala, Crew Augmentation Simulation and Test lead for the United States Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC). “This emerging capability is a natural evolution of the closed-hatch environment, and we’re excited about the potential for application of this type of capability to current and future Army ground vehicles. We’re particularly looking forward to testing the limits of the vision technology in the prototype headset. With the inputs from various sensors and cameras outside the vehicle enabling this new capability, soldiers may potentially see more detail at greater distances without having to rely on the mirrored sights used today or leaving the protected confines of the vehicle.”
“Our work with the U.S. Army and DARPA on virtual and augmented reality is a testament to how government and industry collaboration can drive forward truly innovative solutions that will help our current and future military forces retain a technological edge,” said Bill Hancock, senior fellow and GXV-T program manager, Advanced Technology, Honeywell Aerospace. “From the successful testing of our windowless driving technology on a GXV-T vehicle in the desert of Arizona to this installation on the widely recognized Bradley Fighting Vehicle, we are developing a technology that directly improves the mission effectiveness of our military and safety of our soldiers.”
Testing is due to take place throughout the rest of 2018. VRFocus will bring you more news about the military uses of immersive technology very soon.
So, it shouldn’t be that surprising that Magic Leap’s L.E.A.P. conference in Los Angeles we would be introduced to a mixed reality (MR) board game for the Magic Leap One. Although the subject matter may indeed be a little head scratching to some.
“This partnership is an important step towards understanding the part spatial computing could play in the future customer experience both on the ground and in the air. By getting in early and being both a developer and creator we have been able to test and learn, creating an incredible platform from which to explore the potential of this technology as part of our Future Aircraft Cabin Experience programme including concepts such as being able to reframe customers’ perceptions of the physical cabin environment.”
But for Dracula there is no escape from his friends the Drac Pack, or his father, nor it seems everyone else that works at his hotel either. That’s not even mentioning the giant dog in a trench coat his Grandson is smuggling along for the ride. All of which was covered earlier this year in Hotel Transylvania 3.
However, it wasn’t just new hardware that was discussed at this year’s Oculus Connect, the evolution of the current software sets was also very much a topic of discussion – and, after being previewed at the event, Oculus has pressed the button to roll out the latest version of the Oculus Rift’s software package. (Previously known as 
The big update for Home includes Custom Developer Items – unlockable pieces of art, in-game objects and all manner of other things related to your favourite virtual reality (VR) videogame. From a statue of 
No, instead I mean Prost as in the German word, one you could find yourself using pretty frequently in the last couple of weeks as the English translation is ‘Cheers’. Yes, I am of course referring to Oktoberfest. For 200 years Munich has celebrated Oktoberfest, which was first conceived as a celebration for the general public to commemorate a royal wedding. Back then it was a celebration of Bavarian culture and featured both horse racing and an agricultural show, but only the latter continues in the modern day and even then only every three years.
Oculus Connect 5 (OC5) is well in 2018’s rear-view mirror at this point but there’s still an awful lot to talk about and we’ll be having daily videos from the event for a good week or so yet to come. One such video comes today in the form of an overview of the Oculus Quest by Nina, who had more than a few opportunities to get to grips with Oculus’ latest head-mounted display (HMD).
In fact, now that the technology has been readily available for a good couple of years, we’re seeing an uptick in the number of stories and updates specifically related to matters of health. As studies and other experiments begun months ago now begin to come to fruition.
It’s not just in the home where developers are taking advantage of the Halloween season, however. Studios working with 
“To create The Haunted Graveyard, we assembled the best technology and an award-winning development team,” Says executive producer John Scott Tynes. “Using their expertise in both games and film development, our team created a VR experience that does what VR should do — it transports users into another world using mesmerizing graphics and sound.”
Borderlands 2 was a huge hit for Gearbox Software and publisher 2K Games when it came out six years ago, and since that time the franchise has been revisited on several occasions, notably in 2016’s The Handsome Collection – which turns out to have been the catalyst to bring the title in its entirety to VR.
Prepare for looting and shooting with gazillions of guns on December 14th 2018 for $49.99 (USD). A dynamic PlayStation theme will also be available to those who pre-order the title in advance. A trailer has also been released, and you can check that out below the announced key features list.
Become a Virtual Vault Hunter: Take on the role of one of four playable classes – Siren, Commando, Gunzerker and Assassin – each with unique combat styles and updated skills that leverage the new VR functionality, including the new BAMF Time ability. Whether crushing enemies with Maya’s Siren powers, calling in Sabre Turret reinforcements as Axton, feeling the heft of dual-wielded machine guns as Salvador, or the satisfying swing of Zer0’s sword in an enemy’s back, Borderlands 2 VR immerses players like never before.
Get Virtually Rich: Borderlands VR brings shoot-and-loot mechanics to VR with bazillions of procedurally-generated guns and gear, each with their own capabilities and modifiers. Procedurally-generated shields, grenades, relics, class mods and more round out your Vault Hunter’s arsenal for maximum power and mayhem.
However, there’s good news for any would-be VR inventors out there, as the wait will not be for much longer.
