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Mixed Reality

Hologram Patients Allow Doctors To Train Anytime, Anywhere

From vrscout

Elegant training for a more civilized age.

It’s no secret that medical training is an expensive and time-consuming process. Thanks to immersive technology, however, healthcare centers around the world are capable of training doctors, therapists, and surgeons at a faster rate while spending less.

GigXR is one such company using cutting-edge immersive technology to train the next generation of medical professionals with its Gig Immersive Learning Platform. Powered by mixed reality devices like the Microsoft HoloLens 2, the platform uses mixed reality technology to project interactive hologram patients over the real world, offering students a way to hone their skills at home or in the simulation lab.

“Mixed reality is increasingly recognized as a useful method of simulator training. As institutions scale procurement, the demand for platforms that offer utility and ease of mixed reality learning management is rapidly expanding,” said Arun Gupta, Director of Postgraduate Education, Cambridge University Health Partnership.

“GigXR has already enabled instructors to better prepare learners with medically accurate simulation for observation and assessment. With HoloScenarios, we’re helping to evolve education from a mentorship-based model to one where students around the world can have equal access to top-flight expertise for mastering invention-based clinical skills.”

Available now for purchase, Gig XR’s HoloScenarios was developed in partnership with the University of Cambridge and Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust. The first set of conditions focuses on respiratory conditions, including asthma, anaphylaxis, pulmonary embolism, and pneumonia scenarios.

Users assist holographic patients throughout the entirety of their healthcare journey, from diagnosis to appropriate intervention and everything in between.

Their performance is monitored by the platform in real-time, offering instant feedback. Instructors can also adjust the settings and update the difficulty for each and every scenario.

“Mixed reality is an excellent way to train. It’s incredibly intuitive. We’ve put customers in apps like HoloScenarios and they ‘just go’ – the experience is instinctual because you simply use your hands and the holograms superimpose over the real world in a way where they look like the real devices, patients or anatomical structures,” said Jared Mermey, CEO at GigXR.

“So our goal is simple: make it easier to create, deliver, and implement more high-quality mixed reality across the spectrum of  healthcare teaching and training.”

As previously mentioned, GigXR’s HoloScenarios currently features several respiratory conditions with implementation scheduled for this Fall. According to the company, Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Neurology modules will be available later this year. For more information visit here.

Image Credit: GigXR

Mixed Reality Stargazing Demo Skygaze Out Now On Quest

From vrscout

Turn your home into the ultimate stargazing lounge.

Available now on the Meta Quest, Skygaze (Demo) is a prototype VR experience that turns your headset into a mixed reality stargazing lounge. You can explore the solar system and search for constellations, learn more about our system’s planets, or catch a show at the virtual planetarium, all from the comfort of your living room.

The app is simple, but nonetheless captivating thanks to its unique use of Meta’s Passthrough API. You begin by identifying the walls of your real-world home using your Touch controllers. Once you’ve finished setting up, the ceiling of your home will begin to retract, revealing a crystal-clear night sky littered with stars, planets, and constellations, each of which features accurate positioning based on your geographical position and local time of day. There’s even the option to lower your walls, allowing you to view even more of the night sky.

According to developer Emanuel Tomozei, Skygaze is still in active development; what’s available now is just a sample of what’s to come at launch. That said the current version of the app still offers plenty to do. You can search for and identify various stars, constellations, and planets. There’s also a separate planetarium space where you can watch a 360-degree film about our solar system. It’s a pretty surreal feeling, watching city-sized asteroids pass overhead as you relax at home.

Skygaze is available now as a free demo on the Meta Quest via the App Lab. Based on the trailer, it appears as though we can expect a virtual telescope mode in the future, which should add additional stargazing opportunities. I’m also hoping the app eventually makes its way to Project Cambria, Meta’s work-focused mixed reality device with high-resolution color passthrough.

“I am hoping to develop it into a full app but it all depends on interest and funding. Any ideas of thoughts on what works, what doesn’t or what could be improved or added would be great to hear!” said Tomozei in a Reddit post.

We first talked about Skygaze last year, back when it was called Stargazer. Tomozei submitted the project to the Facebook XR Hackathon where it won third place in the Mixed Reality track. At the time, he vowed to spend the prize money won in the competition on developing a full-fledged app, and today we saw the first fruits of his labor.

For more information on the Skygaze project visit here.

Image Credit: Emanuel Tomozei

Lynx Secures $4M in Series A Funding, Aims to Become “European Champion of Mixed Reality”

From roadtovr

Lynx, the French XR hardware startup known for crowdfunding the Lynx R-1 mixed reality headset, today announced it’s secured $4 million in its Series A round, led by social VR platform Somnium Space.

Alongside Somnium Space, participants in the latest funding round also include what Lynx calls early supporters of the company and “other investors involved in the AR/VR field such as ex-Meta and Google engineers.”

This brings the company’s total outside funding to $6.8 million, according to Crunchbase data, following the R-1 headset’s $800,000 Kickstarter campaign back in late 2021 and a seed round of $2 million in early 2019.  As a part of the deal Artur Sychov, founder & CEO of Somnium Space, is joining the company’s board of directors.

Built on Qualcomm’s XR2 chipset, Lynx R-1 combines high quality cameras and virtual reality displays to achieve passthrough AR in addition to standard VR (aka, mixed reality), making it an early pioneer of the category. The headset also ditches the standard Fresnel lenses for a novel optic called a “four-fold catadioptric freeform prism,” which is said to slim down the size of Lynx R-1 seemingly beyond what current Fresnels can do.

“At Somnium Space we truly believe in the future of open and decentralized Metaverse which empowers its users. This includes, not only software, but also very importantly hardware,” says Artur Sychov, Founder & CEO of Somnium Space. “The Lynx team led by Stan has created an extraordinary AR / VR device (Lynx-r) with openness in mind which will change and revolutionize the way we all think and interact with this market category. I am very happy to support this company and believe that together we will push the boundaries and potential of the VR/AR industry forward.”

Founded in 2019, Lynx has high ambitions for its R-1 headset too. Priced at $600 for its consumer version, the company is looking to lead the way into the same product category that many established players are soon to enter, including Meta with Project Cambria and Apple with its rumored headset, reportedly code named N301.

“We have this opportunity right here to create the European Champion of Mixed Reality with our work at Lynx, supported by a vibrant community of users and developers desperate to see alternatives to Big Tech companies products and their closed ecosystems.” says Stan Larroque, founder and CEO of Lynx. “What’s the point of creating a European Metaverse if the underlying platform, the door we use to access it, remains in the hands of the same big players with their damaging business models?” he adds.

Since finalizing the design of Lynx R-1, the company has also completed an office expansion in Paris, now at more 200 square meters of R&D, and established a new office in Taiwan.

This Environmental Art Exhibit Is Powered By Mixed Reality

From vrscout

Mixed reality meets environmental awareness.

Arcadia Earth is a one-of-a-kind art exhibit that features a wide assortment of multi-sensory technology designed to immerse you in a captivating mixed reality experience while, at the same time, educating you on various ecosystems as well as our impact on the environment, including single-use plastic waste and overfishing.

The experiential art show is powered by the HoloLens 2, Microsoft’s latest mixed reality headset. Using this device, you can access virtual animations layered over the real world just by looking at certain objects. You can even interact with certain elements using their own two hands via the headset’s built-in hand-tracking technology. Along for the ride is a friendly mixed reality orb designed to help guide you through the experience.

The exhibit is composed of numerous rooms, each featuring its own unique theme. The first room, for example, focuses on our negative impact on coral reefs via a life-sized diorama brought to life using mixed reality. Throughout the experience, you can watch as the holographic reef quickly fades to white due to bleaching.

The room also features a series of holographic orbs floating throughout that, when touched, unlock additional environmental facts, such as how changing the type of suncreen you use can have a positive impact on biodiversity. Clicking on this hologram automatically sends relevant information to your phone, allowing you to take immediate action in helping save the coral reefs.

In addition to mixed reality technology, the exhibit makes use of proximity triggered audio and video elements, offering a multimedia experience quite unlike anything we’ve seen before. The physical installations can even be updated over time with new mixed reality content and information.

Credit: Arcadia Earth

Arcadia Earth’s mixed reality experience will be open to the public in New York City later this month. Tickets begin at $33 ($39 peak). As if you needed another reason to visit, proceeds from ticket sales will be used to plant mangrove trees, which are known for their ability to isolate carbon from the atmosphere.

The exhibit was developed in partnership with Enklu with support from Oceanic Global and WWF. For more information visit arcadia.earth.

Image Credit: Arcadia Earth

Meta Is Reportedly Launching Multiple VR Headsets By 2024

From vrscout

Project Cambria will supposedly release this September followed by a new Quest in 2023.

A new report by The Information states that Meta (formerly Facebook) is currently in the development of four new headsets that will release by 2024. The website claims to have seen an internal roadmap outlining the company’s next steps, revealing an ambitious plan to dominate the VR/AR space.



According to the report, this lineup of new hardware will begin the release of Project Cambria this September. Designed specifically for use in the workplace, this VR/AR device will supposedly feature both eye and face tracking as well as high-resolution colored Passthrough technology, allowing for more realistic mixed reality experiences. The visuals are so clear that you’re able to pick up a pen and start writing comfortably without removing the headset, a major improvement over the original Quest and Quest 2 if accurate.

While The Information originally reported that Project Cambria will cost around $800, a Meta spokesperson has since reached out to the publication clarifying that the cost will cost “significantly higher.” An updated version of Cambria, codenamed “Funston”, will supposedly launch in 2024. Before that Meta will launch two additional Quest headsets, “Stinson” and “Cardiff,” in 2023 and 2024 respectively.

The report also offered several updates on Meta’s long-awaited AR device. Codenamed “Nazare,” these AR glasses will supposedly launch in 2024. The company is also working on a pair of cheaper smartglasses called “Hypernova” powered by an electromyography wrist band that will allow you to control the device using only your thoughts. Unlike Nazare, which is supposedly a standalone device, Hypernova will pair with the user’s smartphone.

Moving forward, the company could release a lighter, more advanced pair of AR glasses in 2026 followed by another iteration in 2028, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. First, we need to see just how Meta’s Narare AR glasses fair in 2024.

For more information check out The Information’s full report here.

Image Credit: Meta

Meta’s Next VR/AR Headset Will ‘Replace Your Laptop’

From vrscout

Zuckerberg shares more information on the company’s upcoming XR headset ‘Project Cambria.’

During a Q1 2022 earnings call, Meta (formerly Facebook) co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg shared new information with investors regarding its next headset which is scheduled to launch sometime this year.

During the meeting, Zuckerberg confirmed that the device, codenamed ‘Project Cambria,’ is designed primarily for “work use cases” as opposed to gaming and entertainment. This lines up with past statements in which Meta confirmed that the upcoming XR device is by no means a successor to the Quest 2.

Zuckerberg hopes this XR device will one day replace your laptop or conventional work setup by offering a more attractive mixed reality workspace powered by VR/AR. In addition to these XR tools, the previously-mentioned face and eye-tracking will offer more realistic and expressive avatars, allowing for more natural interactions during virtual meetings.

Originally announced at the Facebook Connect event in 2021, Project Cambria promises a higher-end experience compared to that of the Meta Quest 2. This includes eye and face tracking, improved ergonomics, and enhanced mixed reality capabilities such as high-res colored Passthrough.



With Meta Quest 2 sales through the roof, it makes sense that Meta is looking to mix things up with its next device rather than cannibalize its own hardware lineup. Thanks to robust VR coworking apps like Horizon Workrooms, we’ve seen just how powerful Meta’s Passthrough technology can be as a productivity tool. We can only imagine how Project Cambria’s improved colored passthrough and face tracking capabilities will impact the future virtual coworking.

During the call, Zuckerberg also revealed that Meta’s VR/AR revenue is up 31%, driven largely by the massive success of the Quest 2. For more information on Project Cambria check out our previous coverage here. You can also check out the full earnings call here.

Image Credit: Meta

See How Apple’s Mac Studio Looks On Your Desk Using AR

From vrscout

Save yourself a few thousand dollars with this free AR experience.

During yesterday’s “Peek Performance” event Apple unveiled the Mac Studio, a new desktop computer designed specifically for creative professionals looking to get the most out of their workstations. The device is the first to feature Apple’s new M1 Ultra computer chip, offering a significant improvement in performance compared to existing personal computers.

Of course, all that power comes with a hefty price tag. The lesser-powered Mac Studio with the M1 Max chipset begins at $1,900 while the Mac Studio with the improved M1 Ultra is available starting at a whopping $3,999, and that’s not even including the $1,599 Studio Display.

If you’re hesitant about purchasing the Mac Studio, or just curious what the device might look like in your workspace or office, Apple has released a new AR experience that brings the device to life in your real-world environment; no purchase necessary.

All you have to do is visit apple.com/mac-studio on a compatible iPhone or iPad device and select “View Mac Studio in AR.” The website will then open your camera app, automatically scan your environment, and project a virtual Mac Studio in your real-world space. You’re then free to adjust the size, angle, and position by swiping your fingers on the screen. While compatible with a variety of Apple devices, those with LiDAR technology (iPhone 13, iPad Pro) will offer the fastest and highest-quality experience.



Like all of Apple’s products, the AR Mac Studio features an incredible level of detail, right down to its texture. For the best results, be sure you have adequate lighting and a clean surface on which to project the virtual object. Of course, you can always deactivate the AR feature to view the object as a standard 3D object on the website, but where’s the fun in that?

Needless to say, Apple has been anything but shy about its interest in AR technology. The company is currently in the development of a consumer-ready mixed reality headset capable of running both VR and AR experiences. The mixed reality device was rumored to have been delayed until 2023, though Apple has yet to comment. The company has also experimented with smaller AR easter eggs in the past, such as the one included as part of its 2021 event invite.

Image Credit: Apple

New App Brings Real-Time 3D Holograms To iPhone

From vrscout

Say goodbye to boring 2D video calls.

Earlier today, Slovakian software company Matsuko announced plans to premiere its new holographic communication app later this week during the 14th annual SXSW Pitch. The app uses a combination of AR and AI technology to project life-like 3D holograms over your real-world environment using an iPhone and compatible XR devices.

According to Mastuko, the idea behind the app was to offer a more natural form of remote communication by allowing you to easily record and share 3D holograms in real-time. No prior experience with immersive technology is required in order to operate. You simply aim the iPhone’s camera at your face and start talking. Those with a compatible XR device, such as the Nreal or Microsoft HoloLens 2, can view the iPhone-captured hologram in 3D real-time.

“If these past two years have shown us anything, it is that as humans we need each other’s presence. And even though we have come a long way with remote communication, today’s tools are still way too distant,” said Maria Vircikova, co-founder and CEO of MATSUKO in an official release.

“Our brain is wired for the third dimension, and we need a sensation of people physically being there. I’m excited to show the judges at the SXSW Pitch how our solution provides a true holographic presence and how that can help people connect emotionally.”

The use-cases for a technology such as this are virtually endless. The app could be used for everything from education and training to teleconferencing and entertainment.

Those on iOS can download the Matsuko app free via the App Store. Holograms can be viewed in real-time using XR glasses like the Nreal and Microsoft HoloLens 2 with support for the Meta Quest 2 on the way.

For more information visit matsuko.com.

Image Credit: Matsuko

Google Reportedly Working On Its Own Mixed Reality Glasses

From vrscout

Insiders claim the device resembles a pair of ski goggles and will launch in 2024.

According to The Verge, Google is currently in development of its own AR device capable of blending virtual graphics over the real world, citing “two people familiar with the project.” Similar to Snap’s Spectacles 3 glasses, Google’s device will supposedly feature two outward-facing cameras capable of projecting digital graphics over the wearer’s real-world environment.

Codenamed Project Iris, sources claim the device will rely upon Google’s data centers to render content remotely and beam it to the headset via a stable internet connection. This will allow the device to operate independently without the need for an external power source such as a dedicated PC or smartphone.

The original Google Glass / Image Credit: Robert Couto Photography

The Verge states that certain members of the Pixel team may be involved in the development of specific pieces of hardware for the device, though additional information is limited at the moment. Roughly 300 people are supposedly working on the headset from a secret facility somewhere in the San Francisco Bay Area, with more hires on the way.

The device is expected to launch in 2024 alongside Project Starline, a revolutionary chat booth that was revealed last year. Using advanced holographic technology, the next-generation communication device is supposed to be mind-blowing. Rumor has it a pilot program is already underway with several participating Fortune 500 company’s.

Image Credit: Google Inc.

Google has a long history in the immersive technology industry. In 2014, the company released the first iteration of Google Carboard, a cost-effective head-mounted display designed specifically for mobile VR. This was followed by Google Daydream View in 2016, a mobile VR headset compatible with Pixel devices.

If real, Project Iris would be the company’s first AR device since the ill-fated Google Glass, which was released in 2013 to underwhelming reception.

For more information check out The Verge’s full report here.

Feature Image Credit: Robert Couto Photography

Apple’s Mixed Reality Headset Reportedly Delayed Until 2023

From vrscout

Looks like we might have to wait just a little while longer for the company’s combination VR/AR headset.

According to a new report by Bloomberg, Apple’s long-rumored VR/AR headset could be delayed until 2023 due to a combination of technical issues, citing “people familiar with the situation.” Sources claim the device was scheduled to be announced during the company’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference in June followed by an official launch later this year. Recent setbacks, however, may force the company to push the reveal back several months.

We first received word of a potential mixed reality headset in development at Apple back in 2018. Since then we’ve heard reports claiming the combination VR/AR device will feature everything from dual ultra high definition 8K displays with built-in eye-tracking technology, 12 cameras capable of supporting hand-tracking, swappable headbands, and a multitude of controller options.

Image Credit: Karl Mondon/Digital First Media/The Mercury News via Getty Images

According to Bloomberg’s sources, the headset has been in development since 2015 and is intended to replace the iPhone over the next 10 years. Unfortunately, it sounds as though consumers may have to wait until next year to get their hands on this highly-anticipated device. These same sources claim the company is looking to prep vendors for an early 2023 launch with next year’s developer conference supposedly focusing on VR and AR apps for the headset.

The company is also said to be working on a more advanced pair of dedicated AR glasses, which will supposedly release sometime after the mixed reality device. This past April, Apple CEO Tim Cook confirmed that AR will be “critically important” for the company moving forward, saying, “I’m already seeing AR take off in some of these areas with use of the phone. And I think the promise is even greater in the future.”

AR being demoed at the Apple Keynote. / Image Credit: Apple

The upcoming iOS 16 update will reportedly lay the groundwork for the upcoming launch of the mixed reality headset, which means an official reveal could be imminent. Codenamed “Sydney,” the latest update is expected to arrive on iOS devices this June.

While Apple seems committed to VR/AR technology, the company has little to no interest in establishing its own metaverse and will instead focus its attention on delivering high-quality “bursts” of content. Since Facebook announced its switch to Meta, we’ve seen numerous companies, organizations, and public figures express their interest in the growing metaverse scene. That said, it appears as though Apple will remain out of the conversation.. for now.

Feature Image Credit: Apple