Fraunhofer Reveals Plans To Use Microdisplays To Overcome VR Motion Sickness And Headaches

One of the most comment problems that a small but significant number of users encounter when using virtual reality (VR) is that of motion sickness and headaches. This is something that researchers and developers have been trying to tackle since the early days of the technology and one that now Fraunhofer believe can be dealt with by using high-speed microdisplays that are positioned closer to the users’ eyes.

Fraunhofer Institute VR microdisplay

As reported by venturebeat, the work is being funded by a European project to popularize tiny but cost-effective high-speed screens which the German R&D institute will put on display next month. The key to the innovation is a chip design that enables multiple high-resolution OLED-on-silicon microdisplays to work quickly together at high 120Hz framerates. The displays will also offer a 100,000:1 contrast ratio and ultra-low power consumption and will also include a mode that eliminates flicker and motion artifacts. Because of their speed and quality, the displays promise to reduce motion sickness and headaches.

Fraunhofer are also trying to get more pixels out of these new one-inch microdisplays than that of a 1080p display by offering a 1920 x 1200 pixel resolution with a density of 2300 pixels per inch. As two of these displays are used per eye, four displays are used in total with a total pixel resolution of 4800 x 920, which offers a wide field-of-view of over 100 degrees.

Fraunhofer Institute VR microdisplay

These screens are then paired with a new optics system which has been designed by Limbak, a third-party partner on the project. Your typical VR headset will have screens placed around 60 to 75 millimeters from a user’s eyes, were Limbak’s optics will cut the distance down to 37 millimeters, reducing the overall size of the headset. This is one are that Fraunhofer are keen to see developments made with an expect headset weight with this solution to be around three-quarters smaller than a typical headset, without compromising the field-of-view or resolution.

Fraunhofer are planning to exhibit the new displays and a prototype headset at Munich’s AWE Europe 2018 event on October 18th and 19th. Though details such as release date and pricing have yet to be revealed, VRFocus will be sure to bring you all this and more when it becomes available.

Hand-Tracking for Smartphone AR Apps Is On Its Way

Computer vision company uSens revealed last year that it was working on a method of hand-tracking. The company have now taken this idea even further, offering the possibility of hand-tracking technology using only a smartphone camera.

At the Augmented World Expo (AWE 2018), uSens revealed a beta version of the uSens Hand Tracking SDK, which was created to allow developers to integrate 3D motion recognition and tracking into smartphone apps.

The technology uses a smartphone RGB camera along with uSens computer vision and deep learning algorithms to track the full dynamic of the skeleton within the hand, instead of just the fingertips.

“uSens is proud to push AR to the next frontier, by enabling developers to create engaging, enjoyable and entertaining augmented reality experiences made more intuitive, for the smartphone user—by simply moving their hands and fingers in the air,” said Anli He, the co-founder and CEO of uSens, via a statement.

“This opens a whole new world of possibilities for developers, enabling them to create a truly one-of-kind experience for a mainstream audience,” continued He, “Similar to how touchscreens enabled even the most technologically challenged to embrace smartphones, providing an easy and natural way for users to engage with AR/VR objects and environments will play a major role in boosting consumer adoption.”

A company spokesperson has said that uSens is already working with an unspecified major game studio to integrate its tools into existing social media environments and upcoming videogames and apps.

Experts have noted that hand-tracking could offer new methods of interaction with AR apps and videogames, particularly if combined with ARKit and ARCore functionality, which could allow AR apps to transcend the current paradigms.

For further news and updates from AWE 2018, keep checking back with VRFocus.

Scope AR Announces New Enterprise AR Platform

With augmented reality (AR) technology steadily rising in profile over the past year, many companies have begun implementing the technology in various ways. Enterprise-focussed AR solutions company Scope AR have just announced its latest offering – an all-in-one AR platform for Enterprise and industrial use.

The Scope AR platform offers real-time remote assistance and access to AR-enabled guided instructions simultaneously in one application, offering a more efficient and cost-effective package for companies.

The app combines the functionality of Scope AR’s video calling application, Remote AR, with the AR content creation library, WorkLink into a single product. Scope AR say this enables unprecedented levels of support and collaboration.

“The ability for workers to connect in real-time with an expert to get the remote assistance they might need while also having access to rich, animated step-by-step AR instructions in one, unified interface truly has the potential to transform the way people work, while also saving companies valuable time, resources and significant costs,” said Scott Montgomerie, CEO and co-founder of Scope AR. “We are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in AR with products already in use by Fortune 500 companies. With our newly integrated platform, we are thrilled to address a common request we receive and offer our customers an even better AR experience.”

The company has noted several use cases for the new platform, such as supporting remote technicians encountering an unusual or complex problem they are unfamiliar with and contacting remote assistance, or giving training to employees using step-by-step AR instructions. The product will be available for Android, iOS and Windows-based systems.

A demonstration video showing how the technology works is available to view below. Scope AR will be showcasing the new AR platform at the Augmented World Expo (AWE 2018) at Booth #718. AWE 2018 will be taking place from 30th May – 1st June, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. Further news from AWE 2018 will be covered here on VRFocus.

Epson Partners With AR Company ByondXR

Epson has been working on promoting and developing its line of augmented reality (AR) smartglasses, the Moverio, for a while. The company is seeking to give the hardware a boost with some now content from AR software company ByondXR.

ByondXR have integrated the Moverio AR SDK into its platform, allowing for developers and content creators to easily bring their work to the Moverio by using a web-based editor.

Epson Moverio BT-350

In many cases, high development costs can be off-putting for developers, particularly in the immersive technology market, which has not reached maturity yet. The two companies believe that ByondXR’s Immersive Suite offers a fast and intuitive 360-degree editor along with an enterprise level content management system which makes creating new immersive experiences easier.

“Whether we’re building our own features or collaborating with other innovative platforms such as Epson Moverio glasses, ByondXR is committed to the advancement of the immersive media industry and finding new ways to support our headset partners,” said Noam Levavi, co-founder and CEO of ByondXR. “Deployment of the Epson Moverio AR SDK gives us a unique opportunity to provide brands and businesses with tools to develop dynamic, interactive AR content.”

“ByondXR’s platform is truly innovative in that it lowers the barriers to entry for AR content creation and can be applied to any industry, representing a global market opportunity,” said Leon Laroue, software manager, augmented reality solutions, Epson America. “By combining the Epson Moverio AR SDK with ByondXR’s platform, our goal is to make it as seamless as possible for businesses to fill the world with new AR content and ultimately redefine the future of how AR content can be created and viewed.”

The ByondXR web-based editor and the Moverio AR SDK will be demonstrated at the Augmented World Expo (AWE), along with the previously released AR Flight Simulator app at the Epson booth #618.

Epson logo

AWE 2018 is taking place from 30th May – 1st June, 2018 at Santa Clara, California. Further news and developments from the event will be here on VRFocus.

Seerslab To Unveil ARGEAR Platform At AWE USA Conference

Leading augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) media corporation and Y-combinator’s innovative media start-up, Seerslab, has announced that they will be launching their ARGEAR platform at the AWE Conference in Santa Clara on May 31st. This will include the AR Software Development Toolkit (SDK) and the AR content platform called “ARGEAR”.

Seerslab logo

ARGEAR and its AR sticker content archive will allow developers around the world a way to convert camera features into Snapchat Lens with a variety of AR expressions within the space of a day. The platform will help in allowing companies to produce their content faster, all while ensuring it is ready for use within Snapchat Lens. Lollicam, an original app created by the team at Seerslab that introduced face-tracking sticker and cinematic effects was the concept that other companies, such as Snapchat and Facebook, have adopted.

“Seerslab is proud to help application developers around the world to easily adopt the AR technology and content on its application by providing them with its all-in-one ARGEAR platform,” said Michael Chong, CEO and Founder of Seerslab. “Seerslab will add more exciting AR contents by collaborating with Hollywood and global studios and provide more advanced AR features such as real-time segmentation and style transfer soon through its ARGEAR platform in the near future,” he added.

lollicam logo

Located in Palo Alto, California, Seerslab are a media technology and content start-up that has been providing proven AR and mixed reality (MR) solutions and content to global smartphone and application makers for some time now. This includes being the AR contents partner of Samsung, providing a variety of AR stickers and effects on the default camera of the Samsung Galaxy smartphone series. The companies flagship application Lollicam has been downloaded over 10 million times, supporting the companies proven track record.

Seerslab also create technology and solutions for face recognition, face detection and tracking, 3D AR and dpeth AR, real-time segmentation and real-time beautification, all designed to work on a number of smartphones and devices. With their new ARGEAR platform, the company will be offering an all-in-one solution to adopy AR features into a product, all for free.

VRFocus will be sure to bring you all the latest on ARGEAR and Seerslab in the future, so stay tuned for more.

Eight Finalists For Global AR Online Pitch Revealed

Sometimes in order for something to truly succeed and create something bigger you have to work together. This is true in any line of business, even the immersive technology sector. After all where would the Gear VR – arguably virtual reality’s (VR’s) most prolific headset – be, without the partnership between both Samsung and Oculus? It’d certainly be a very different industry.

Global AR Online Pitch LogoNear the end of last month VRFocus reported on the Global AR Online Pitch, an event put together by three of the biggest investment names in the field of augmented reality (AR): The GFR Fund, Super Ventures and The Venture Reality Fund (a.k.a The VR Fund).  Open to submissions from all around the world, the aim of the Global AR Online Pitch’s goal was to give an unprecedented opportunity to developers to secure funding for their AR related developments. Now, some 241 submissions later, eight finalists have been announced.

They are:

  • ARwall – A Los Angeles based company. It has created the first AR display that requires no headset, goggles or smart device.
  • Cortex Core – Created by Binary Bubbles, Inc., is a codeless content management system that enables IP owners to maintain a strong and personal relationship with their consumers through always-on, world-aware digital AR characters.
  • DeepAR – A powerful face-tracking, face FX and deep learning SDK that allows any app to integrate advanced, Snapchat-like face lenses in hours. The most advanced AR Advertising SDK on the market, DeepAR currently powers over 50 million users each month through its integration with top ad networks.
  • JigSpace – Creates and shares interactive, 3D knowledge for anything.
  • Infiniverse – Connects the entire world’s digital space into a single, persistent, virtual AR world. The augmented reality land registry, content distribution platform and marketplace runs on the blockchain.
  • Insider Navigation (INS) – The first company that offers augmented-reality based indoor positioning and navigation for mobile devices.
  • PLNAR – An Austin, TX, AR startup that optimizes the settlement of home interior property claims (flood, water, fire). PLNAR generates fully measured, detailed 3D models and material summaries of rooms using augmented reality. (Read more about them here.)
  • SentiAR – Developing the first real-time AR software platform for interventional procedures on the HoloLens. Initially focused on catheter ablation procedures treating cardiac arrhythmia, the company aims to significantly change clinical practices.

Not only will all eight be pitching to investors, they will also be a part of the forthcoming Augmented World Expo (AWE) 2018, taking place in Silicon Valley from May 30th to June 1st. Taking to the stage to present to attendees.

“There is a huge advantage for companies to be able to pitch key investors without spending the time and money required to go on a roadshow,” commented GFR Fund CEO Teppei Tsutsui. “The AR Online Pitch event puts every startup on a level playing field and lets the entrepreneurs, and their vision and innovation, speak for itself.”

VRFocus will continue to bring you news on the event as well as updates from AWE 2018 at the end of the month. Be sure to look out for those.

Early Bird Tickets now on Sale for AWE USA 2018

Now in its 9th year, the Augmented World Expo (AWE) will be returning to the Santa Clara Convention Centre, California this May. Today, early bird tickets have now gone on sale, offering big savings for those wishing to attend 2018 event.

Tickets for the augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) event are split into four categories. The first is the ‘Early Bird: Three Day All Access Pass (Includes Workshop Day)’ which is retailing $695.00 USD, saving $500. This gives attendees full access to all areas of the conference and expo for all three days (30th May-1st June, 2018) including Day 1 workshops, keynotes, breakout sessions, exhibit halls and the Auggie Awards Ceremony.

Then there’s the ‘Early Bird: Two Day All Access Pass’, sold for $495.00 instead of $895.00. This grants full access to all areas of the conference and expo for two days (30th May-1st June, 2018) including keynotes, breakout sessions, exhibit halls and the Auggie Awards Ceremony. For those who don’t want to attend for too long, then there’s the Early Bird Expo Only: Day Pass for $149. And for start up companies the Startup: Expo Only Pass + Startup Table ticket is available for $999. The first three tickets are on offer until 31st March, 2018, while the fourth startup deal ends on 18th May, 2018.

Currently AWE 2018 has some of the biggest AR and VR companies confirmed as exhibitors, including: Microsoft, Epson, Kopin, Qualcomm, Vuforia, Vuzix and many more, 300 in total.

AWE2018 companies

As for speakers, the conference has 350 professionals lined up to discuss everything and anything regarding the immersive industry. A diverse selection of speakers has been chosen, companies discussing the future of AR and VR include: Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), Merge, Lockheed Martin, Ultrahaptics, Google, Walmart, Epic Games, Leap Motion, Niantic Labs and HTC Vive to name a few.

AWE takes place from 30th May – 1st June, 2018. For any further updates on the event, keep reading VRFocus.