N e w s ,
f e a t u r e s
a n d
a n a l y s i s
f o r
i m m e r s i v e
t e c h
a n d
e n t e r p r i s e
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w w w. v r w o r l d t e c h . c o m
XRSPACE Redefining how people connect, socialise, and collaborate
What virtual, augmented and mixed reality are really for, is everyone
XR feels the need— the need
to succeed! HTC Vive
ThirdEye Gen
XR Association
What comes first, the hardware or the software?
The AR and MR equivalents of getting down to business
The XR community needs to ensure that accessibility is baked in from the start
T H E
B U S I N E S S
O F
M A N U FA C T U R E D
R E A L I T I E S
Deadline: 2 6 / 1 1 / 2 0 2 1 Public a tion da te: 0 6 / 1 2 / 2 0 2 1
Manufacturing Issue Designers are at the forefront of virtual reality, creating and refining ever impressive products, machines and buildings, without having to leave their studio and on much grander scales, while augmented reality is being utilised to redefine traditional spaces and bring 3D models alive, in the real world.
Mark Dugdale, Editor editor@vrworldtech.com
Jonathan Savage, Publisher jonsavage@vrworldtech.com
VRWorldTech Magazine
Published by: Premeditated Media Group Ltd 71-75 Shelton Street Covent Garden London WC2H 9JQ Editor Mark Dugdale editor@vrworldtech.com
Publisher Jonathan Savage jonsavage@vrworldtech.com
Editorial board Jan Pflueger, advisXR Sophia Moshasha
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© 2021 Premeditated Media Group Ltd. All rights in and relating to this publication are expressly reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the publisher. The views expressed in VRWorldTech Magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher. While the publisher has taken every care in compiling this publication to ensure accuracy at the time of going to press, it does not accept liability or responsibility for errors or omissions therein, however caused.
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April 2021
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Editor’s Note
Moving past the headlines Understanding hardware is vital as virtual, augmented and mixed reality move toward the mainstream
H
ello all and thank
story is our interview with Graham
developer of the new the Pro 3 range,
you for taking
Wheeler, general manager of HTC
to find out how important remote
the time to read
EMEA, who walked me through HTC
assistance and the smartphone are
the latest issue
Vive’s enterprise strategy when it
to the present and future of these
of VRWorldTech
comes to virtual reality hardware,
two immersive technologies for
Magazine, the first time we’ve
as well as the software that makes
enterprise and professional use. The
focused on a specific area of
it sing. Turn to that article now for
overwhelming answer is: very.
immersive technology itself, rather
some interesting insights, which also
than an industry or sector where
nicely set up the rest of the issue.
virtual, augmented and mixed reality are being deployed.
Finally, I also had the opportunity to interview Elizabeth Hyman,
I also had the pleasure of speaking
chief executive officer of the XR
to Nikitas Glykas and Kurt Liu of
Association (XRA), the group
We chose hardware because this
XRSPACE on the development of
representing headset and technology
is the headline grabber, often the
a dedicated virtual reality headset
manufacturers across the broader
enterprise market’s first introduction
for the platform that is attempting
XR or immersive technology industry.
to these immersive technologies.
to redefine how people connect,
XRA is doing fantastic work on
Hardware releases are often picked
socialise, and collaborate. It’s early
the development and promotion
up by mainstream technology media
days for XRSPACE MANOVA World,
of best practices among hardware
and examined from a number of
yet business and professional users
and software providers, ensuring
different angles, but rarely from
of this immersive technology should
that users of all abilities can avail
the point of view of business or
be satisfied that the startup has an
themselves of the many benefits
professional use. This is slowly
actionable, ambitious plan backed
and opportunities that immersive
changing and we’re more than happy
by an innovative headset. Portable,
technology has to offer. This is
to contribute to the discussion.
powerful and, above all, useful.
incredibly important and a vital task as virtual, augmented and mixed
Our hardware focus is on virtual
Turning to augmented and mixed
reality headsets and augmented and
reality smart glasses, we check
mixed reality smart glasses, and
out X2 Mixed Reality Glasses from
Next up for VRWorldTech Magazine
you’re in for a real treat. Our main
ThirdEye Gen, and meet NuEyes,
are focuses on AEC, entertainment
4
April 2021
reality move toward the mainstream.
and manufacturing, plus the issue out at the end of August will turn to software, in the same vein as this one. We’ll be making announcements in due course about 2022 and what to expect from the only magazine dedicated to immersive technology for enterprise. Until then, please enjoy this issue, and, as ever, please do let us know what you think via social media or editor@ vrworldtech.com.
Mark has been a business-to-business journalist for a decade. He has edited and written for websites within financial services and law. He graduated from the University of Leeds with a BA in creative writing.
Mark Dugdale Editor VRWorldTech