Category: HoloLens

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Head of Xbox China on Project Scorpio: ‘this year’s E3 will blow your mind’

Microsoft recently announced that the launch of the upcoming Xbox One ‘upgrade console’ currently known by the code-name Project Scorpio would be getting an official launch in China later this year. The head of Xbox China spoke about some of the plans Microsoft had for the console.

Speaking to 2P.Com, Xie Enwei discussed the price point of Project Scorpio and the integration of mixed reality (MR) and virtual reality (VR). Enwei said that most Xbox One games, weather they are from first or third-party studios, can be ported to Project Scorpio within 48 hours: “That surprised a lot of developers,” said Xie Enwei.

Discussing the MR and VR support, Enwei teased that Windows 10, in conjunction with Project Scorpio might just see support for the upcoming MR/VR headsets that are being made in partnership with OEM companies such as Acer, HP and Lenovo. Since Window 10, Xbox One and Project Scorpio share much of the same architecture and underlying coding, this make their integration much easier. Enwei said: “The connection of Project Scorpio, Window 10 and MR provides lots of possibilities, what we will see in this year’s E3 will blow your mind.”

Project Scorpio will be a 4K gaming console, with Forza 6, Call of Duty WW2, Red Dead Redemption 2 and the new FIFA title among others already promoting their 4K support. The console will have a 6TFLOPs GPU an 8-core Jaguar CPU, 12GB of GDDR2 memory, a 4K blu-ray drive and a 1TB hard drive.

A price point for Project Scorpio has not yet been set, but Enwei said that Xbox are trying their best to give consumers a favourable price.

VRFocus will bring you further updates on Project Scorpio’s VR capabilities as they become available.

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Tech Store Saturn Gets AR Sales Assistant Using HoloLens

Visitors to German tech store Saturn could have the opportunity to be guided around the store by an augmented reality (AR) creation called Paula by donning Microsoft’s HoloLens as part of a pilot program in certain stores.

Somewhat resembling a kind of alien, vaguely humanoid squid, or a creation of Pablo Picasso; the AR cartoon sales person of Paula will explain various in-store products to the customer wearing the HoloLens headset. Customers can be escorted by Paula to displays showing the Samsung Galaxy S8, Surface Pro 4 and Dyson Big Ball vacuum cleaner where she will explain the various features and functions of the product. Visitors who take part can even get a souvenir photo of the experience.

“Something which only recently still seemed like science fiction has now been made possible – by augmented reality,” read a statement from Saturn parent company MediaMarktSaturn.”Customers will be able to explore a new shopping experience in which virtual items are displayed in real environments, hence ‘augmenting’ the perception of reality.”

Speaking about the Saturn Holotour, Martin Wild, Chief Digital Officer of MediaMarktSaturn Retail Group, said: “With the HoloTour we are once again able to experience an innovative technology at Saturn. We show our customers what fascinating opportunities the expanded reality can provide and give an insight into the shopping of the future, which will be even more personalized, while at the same time learning how our customers interact with the new technology.”

The technology that produces Paula is still in relatively early stages, and still experiences problems such as Paula going out of the customer’s view due to the limited field of vision offered by the HoloLens headset. The HoloTour with Paula is available in 20 selected Saturn stores throughout Germany.

VRFocus will bring you further news on innovative uses of Microsoft’s HoloLens as it becomes available.

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Rocket League für die HoloLens

Auf Youtube hat der Nutzer TheJavierDavalos ein neues Video veröffentlicht, welches zeigt, wie Rocket League mit der HoloLens von Microsoft aussehen könnte. Die gezeigte Demo wurde wohl schnell an einem Morgen zusammengestellt, um die Freunde von der Technologie zu überzeugen.

Rocket League für die HoloLens

Auch wenn das Spiel ruckelt und der sichtbare Bereich in der HoloLens deutlich kleiner ist, als das Video suggeriert, so zeigt das Video dennoch hervorragend, wie Mixed Reality Brillen das gemeinsame Spielen in einem Raum revolutionieren werden. Zu jeder Zeit können zukünftig glaubhafte Welten in das Wohnzimmer oder auf den Tisch gezaubert werden und alle Menschen mit einer entsprechenden Brille können diese Inhalte sehen. Ebenso könnte eine solche Darstellung genutzt werden, um beispielsweise E-Sport mit Freunden zu erleben. Einfach die Map auf den Tisch gestellt und schon kann man der Action aus allen Blickwinkeln folgen.

Microsoft hatte bereits im Jahr 2015 eine Minecraft Demo mit der HoloLens vorgeführt, bei der ebenfalls die Welt aus Klötzchen auf einem Tisch dargestellt wurde. Die Möglichkeiten sind grenzenlos, doch aktuell ist leider noch keine Mixed Reality Brille für Konsumenten in Sicht. Es wird jedoch spekuliert, dass Magic Leap in diesem Jahr seine Brille vorstellen und im nächsten Jahr in größeren Stückzahlen ausliefern möchte.

(Quelle: Reddit)

Der Beitrag Rocket League für die HoloLens zuerst gesehen auf VR∙Nerds. VR·Nerds am Werk!

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Saturn zeigt den Mixed Reality Verkäufer

Es ist vermutlich nur eine Frage der Zeit, bis wir die Beratung in den örtlichen Geschäften von einer künstlichen Intelligenz erhalten. Die Betreiber der Geschäfte könnten durch einen digitalen Berater Personalkosten einsparen und Kunden müssten nicht warten, bis der nächste Mitarbeiter Zeit hat. Saturn bietet in Deutschland nun einen Blick in diese Zukunft an und startete kürzlich die HoloLens Tour, welche jedoch nicht für die Bewerbung der Brille von Microsoft gedacht ist, da die HoloLens aktuell nur an Entwickler verkauft wird.

Saturn zeigt den Mixed Reality Verkäufer

Die aktuelle Demo ist natürlich nur eine kurze Vorführung, die nicht wirklich auf die Wünsche des Kunden eingeht. Dennoch zeigt die Demo hervorragend das Potential und wir können uns gut vorstellen, dass so die Zukunft im Einzelhandel aussehen könnte.

Wenn ihr euch die Demo anschauen wollt, dann habt ihr in 20 Saturn-Märkten in Deutschland die Gelegenheit, wobei die ersten Termine bereits in der Vergangenheit liegen:

04.05. – 06.05. Ingolstadt

08.05. – 10.05. Berlin Alex

11.05. – 13.05. Hamburg-Mönckeberg

15.05. – 17.05. Berlin Charlottenburg

18.05. – 20.05. Dresden

22.05. – 24.05. München-Stachus

29.05. – 31.05. Braunschweig

01.06. – 03.06. Hannover

08.06. – 10.06. Stuttgart

12.06. – 14.06. Aachen

19.06. – 21.06. Frankfurt

22.06. – 24.06. Mannheim

26.06. – 28.06. Köln

29.06. – 01.07. Düsseldorf Kö

03.07. – 05.07. Essen

06.07. – 08.07. Oberhausen

10.07. – 12.07. Dortmund

13.07. – 15.07. Bochum

17.07. – 19.07. Regensburg

20.07. – 22.07. München Theresienhöhe

Durch die Tour möchte Saturn herausfinden, wie Menschen auf einen Mixed Reality Verkäufer reagieren und anschließend die Ergebnisse nutzen, um die Anwendung weiter zu optimieren. Wenn ihr an der Tour teilnehmen wollt, dann findet ihr hier die genauen Uhrzeiten für die Vorführungen.

(Quelle: mspoweruser, Saturn)

 

Der Beitrag Saturn zeigt den Mixed Reality Verkäufer zuerst gesehen auf VR∙Nerds. VR·Nerds am Werk!

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Theorem Solutions Presenting Digital Realities in Engineering and Manufacturing Seminars

Earlier today VRFocus published a feature regarding the various different terms and technology in the wearables space. These of course contained the three terms we use most here on the website virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR), and throughout the week we do our best to bring you news on all three. As each of have their different uses in entertainment and, of course, also in industry.

Theorem SolutionsUnderstanding how each can play their part is, of course, one of the challenges and opportunities of the technology and it’s something that Theorem Solutions are looking to address in a forthcoming, one day, two-part seminar on ‘Digital Realities in Engineering and Manufacturing’ to be held at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) in Coventry, UK on Wednesday 7th June 2017.

Comprising of two half-day seminars sessions are set to include discussion on the positioning of the industry and it’s financial needs, how existing technology can help with CAD and related businesses now and also in the future. As well as demonstrations of all three technologies in action, with the HTC Vive and Microsoft Hololens in use for VR and MR respectively.

Interested parties can register and find out more information at the Theorem.com website. VRFocus will be bringing you more news and information on tech events involving AR, VR and MR soon.

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AR, VR, MR, RR, XR: A Glossary to the Acronyms of the Future

Virtual reality (VR) began its climb back into the social consciousness in 2013 with the launch of the well-documented Kickstarter campaign for the Oculus Rift. In the four years that have passed since, things have become more complicated. Augmented reality (AR) has finally begun its ascent and Microsoft has muddied the waters with the HoloLens purporting to deliver ‘mixed reality’ (MR). Each of these terms currently refers to a unique experience defined by its hardware, but new platforms are already beginning to emerge capable of combining more than one immersive reality technology.

At Google’s recent I/O conference, Mountain View, head of AR and VR for Google, Clay Bavor, raised an interesting point in a tweet: “VR / MR / AR / RR are not separate and distinct things. They’re convenient labels for different points on a spectrum.”

Bavor reinforced this in a blog post on Medium, in which he stated: “If VR and AR are two points on a spectrum, what should we call the spectrum? Here are a few ideas – immersive computing, computing with presence, physical computing, perceptual computing, mixed reality or immersive reality. This technology is nascent, and there’s a long way to go on our definitions, but for now, let’s call this immersive computing.”

 

That spectrum, captured in the image above by CNET, illustrates Bavor’s key point. One might argue that defining each of the technologies that appear on this spectrum (which does currently dive deeper than simply AR, VR and real reality (RR)) is a case of semantics, but it’s still worthwhile taking time to step back and recognise the common vernacular each term now represents.

 

Augmented reality (AR):

Technology which supplements real reality (RR) with computer generated imagery of any kind should be defined as augmented reality (AR). At present, this would include devices such as Google Glass, smartphones (through various applications), Nokia’s City Lens, and even Pokemon Go or Snapchat.

 

Mixed reality (MR):

Mixed reality (MR) is similar in definition to AR, however opposed to simply placing images and text over the top of RR this technology aims to create an environment in which the user will treat the objects as if they are really there. This can be seen with applications such as Skype and video viewing on Microsoft’s HoloLens, but also extends to 2D video wherein an observer is able to view a user of virtual reality (VR) within the environment that their head-mounted display (HMD) is showing to them. A user in a virtual space which entirely encompasses their vision viewed from the outside can still be defined as MR.

The Lab screenshot

Virtual reality (VR):

Virtual reality (VR) is technology that shuts the user away from RR, instead replacing every aspect of their reality artificially. A vast range of HMDs exist for this, though the current leaders in the field remain the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, PlayStation VR, Samsung Gear VR and Google Daydream. All of these HMDs completely fill the user’s field of view and replace RR audio.

 

 

A new emerging trend is to define any content using these emerging technologies as ‘XR’. However, XR is also used to define ‘cross reality’, which is any hardware that combines aspects of AR, MR and VR; such as Google Tango.

In time, it’s likely at any AR, MR or VR will become defined as ‘XR’ as the hardware matures to incorporate more than one immersive reality technology, or ‘immersive computing’ as Bavor wishes to define it. However, for now it’s important that the industry recognises the differences between each acronym to avoid confusion amongst the consumer audiences that will define the success of each, or all, of these technologies and their applications.

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Microsoft Reveal Z-Depth Layering for Windows 10 Mixed Reality Devices

Creating a stereoscopic effect within a virtual reality (VR) application has been a given for decades. It’s a standard component for immersion in a virtual environment, however in other applications – including the likes of Skype, Netflix and beyond – having a 2D plane embossed upon your real world has been the limitation up to now. At Microsoft Build 2017, plans have been revealed that would give applications such as these greater depth and even parallax effects.

 

Microsoft Z Depth Layering

 

Z-depth layering is a feature coming to 2D application development that would allow for a stereoscopic 3D viewpoint, automatically adjusting in relation to the user’s head movement. In a demo version built during the presentation at Microsoft Build 2017, the foreground remained central while a background image was positioned depending on head movement; scrolling left and right, towards and away from the user to promote a sense of depth.

While viewed via a desktop in the presentation, the technology is specifically aimed towards head-mounted displays (HMDs), be it a HoloLens or any of the forthcoming Windows 10 mixed reality (MR) devices. Furthermore, Microsoft has promised that a future update for the Windows 10 development environment and Unity engine would see this design opportunity added as standard, removing the need to learn any new tools to include the functionality in an app.

 

No timeline was given for when the technology would become available to developers, however it’s clear the Microsoft is investing heavily in their holographic computing platform, be it with HoloLens or the variety of third-party Windows 10 HMDs. VRFocus will obviously keep you updated with all the latest details on the holographic computing technology from Microsoft.

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Air New Zealand Trialling Augmented Reality on Flights

Microsoft’s HoloLens has begun to see some interesting uses, from helping with surgical procedures to giving children an enhanced understanding of the solar system, Microsoft are aiming to show that augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) are good for more than just videogames. Air New Zealand see that potential, also, and have begun equipping their stewards with the HoloLens to better serve passengers.

Air New Zealand are equipping air stewards with the HoloLens to provide the stewards with better information, enabling them to give passengers a better experience on the flight. Data can be displayed to a steward to show what drink a passenger has ordered, if they have any food allergies or other dietary needs and can even give cues as to a passengers mood, so they can be reassured if they are nervous.

“This software is a great example of us collaborating with other partners and exploring how technology could enhance the way our people work as well as the experience they deliver to our customers through greater personalisation,” says Air New Zealand Chief Digital Officer Avi Golan.

In addition, icons and information can be ‘dropped’ on to a location, so a steward can leave the area and come back to find the icon they left still in the same place, so things like food orders could hover above passenger seats, or a reminder could be set that a certain person is a first-time flyer who may need extra information or assistance. A video demonstrating the technology is available to view below.

It has been noted that the HoloLens is still a relatively bulky piece of equipment, and may not always be convenient to wear, but as technology develops, these types of augmented services will probably become increasingly common.

VRFocus will bring you further information on the HoloLens and innovative uses of AR and MR technology as it becomes available.

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Neo wird Fluent: Microsofts neue GUI für Windows 10 auch für VR

Auf der Entwicklerkonferenz Build in Seattle hat Microsoft die Zukunft der Oberfläche von Windows 10 vorgestellt: Mit Fluent, ehemals Projekt Neo, stellen die Redmonder Designrichtlinien vor, mit denen Windows nicht nur schöner werden, sondern sich auch besser bedienen lassen soll. Ein Ziel ist es dabei, den unterschiedlichen Welten gerecht zu werden: Vom klassischen Desktop über Touch- und Stifteingabe bis hin zu den Mixed-Reality-Systemen in VR und AR.

Fluent: Die Evolution von Windows 10

Mit dem nächsten Windows Creators Update, das im Herbst erscheinen soll, werden erste Elemente von Fluent in Windows 10 einziehen. Bisher tauchte das Design lediglich in Apps wie Microsoft Photo oder Paint 3D auf. Allerdings wird Fluent noch nicht komplett sein, Microsoft spricht von einer langen Reise. Wer den Windows-8-Schock noch nicht verdaut hat, darf sich aber freuen: Man will dieses Mal keine GUI-Revolution anzetteln, sondern lediglich evolutionäre Schritte gehen.

Microsoft hebt bei Fluent fünf zentrale Design-Elementen hervor:

Licht (Light): Mit Lichteffekten will Microsoft den Anwender durch die Oberfläche führen und beispielsweise Funktionen hervorheben.
Tiefe (Depth): Stellt eine Pseudo-3D-Darstellung mit Parallax-Scrolling bereit.
Bewegung (Motion): Elemente gleiten zum Beispiel sanft ins Blickfeld.
Material (Material): Umfasst Texturen, Transparenz-Effekte, Hervorhebungen und Shading.
Skalierung (Scale): Hier geht es um die Unterstützung der neuen Anwendungen für die HoloLens und die weiteren Mixed-Reality-Brillen.

Besonders der Punkt der Skalierung wird spannend: Microsoft verspricht hier Innovationen und bittet Entwickler um Hilfe dabei, neue virtuelle Welten zu erschaffen. Die Videos von der Konferenz geben schon einen guten Einblick, wie sich der Konzern das Design in der virtuellen Realität vorstellt. Bereits das letzte Creators-Update von Windows 10 enthält die Unterstützung der Mixed-Reality-VR-Brillen, die für Konsumenten ab Herbst verfügbar sein sollen. Die VR-Brillen-Entwicklerkits von Acer und HP lassen sich bereits jetzt vorbestellen.

(Quelle: UploadVR)

Der Beitrag Neo wird Fluent: Microsofts neue GUI für Windows 10 auch für VR zuerst gesehen auf VR∙Nerds. VR·Nerds am Werk!

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Using Hololens During Real Surgery – ResearchVR Podcast 42

Using Hololens During Real Surgery – ResearchVR Podcast 42

This week’s ResearchVR episode is a little more crowded than usual. During this year’s Cebit we met three experts working on the use of AR to improve surgery.

Thomas Bedenk studied Human Factors. After studies, he joins the software development wave working as a freelancer. That led him to start his game studio. After seven years in the gaming industry, he joined another wave, this time VR and AR. Now he is a VR consultant at Exozet Berlin, where he leads the VR / AR department.

Thomas Schüler is a recurring guest on our podcast – he was our first ever guest on this podcast, back in Episode 4. He did his Ph.D. about using VR technology in medical fields. Currently, he works on VR for engineers and VR for medical applications at Virtual Spice.

Igor Sauer is an experienced surgeon at Charite Medical University Berlin, where he is the Head of Experimental Surgery AND Regenerative Medicine Department. He is a tech savvy surgeon, always on the lookout for new technologies that can improve his effectiveness in his life-saving job.

Episode Preview


In this episode, we take a deep dive into the project at Charite Medical University in Berlin, where already today HoloLens is used during the resection of the liver.

The technology used in preparation for such surgery is already advanced. Based on MRI, CT and other scans, a 3D model of an organ are generated. The essential step for a surgeon is to learn the location of all the blood vessels, up to 5th or even 6th branch. It is not easy.

This issue is currently bridged using HoloLens. And it is surprisingly straightforward – a 3D model generated before an operation is placed above the patient. Whenever the main surgeon has a question regarding a blood vessel, he asks his first assistant, who is wearing the headset. The assistant consults the model and has the precise answer within seconds.

Listen to Using Hololens during real surgery – ResearchVR Podcast 42 to learn more about the current implementation and plans for the project expansion in NEAR future.

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