Upcoming May Events
Virtual and Augmented Reality: Stepping into the New Frontier of Learning Webinar – Presented by Emory Craig and Maya Georgieva: May 1 1:00-2:30 pm, Boatwright 322. We’d love for you to join us to hear from Emory and Maya then discuss how their vision for the future fits into the University’s new strategic plan. More information.
Oculus Rift Technology Demo – in collaboration with Communications Joedy Felts. May 11th 9:00 – 4:00 PM, Boatwright 322. As many of you know, we’ve invested in the HTC Vive for our initial explorations into immersive VR technology. This will be an opportunity for the VR community to try the new Oculus Rift and it’s touch controls.
VR/AR in the News
The first decade of augmented reality
Mobile technology analyst Benedict Evans (of A16z) analyzes the current state of augmented reality technology and speculates how recent developments compares to mobile phone technology in the 2000s. I always find Benedict’s analysis thoughtful and nuanced, this article is no different.
I believe the multitouch -> iPhone, AR -> ?!? analogy is spot on. Demos of AR technology are getting cooler and cooler (Hololens, Magic Leap, etc) but we are still waiting for a breakthrough product that truly changes the way people think/interact.
I also agree with his assertion that ‘real’ augmented reality will be when a device can see and interpret the world around us. This is something I am constantly reminded of when I hear people talk about Pokemon Go. A “dumb” heads up display (HUD) wouldn’t add enough compelling incentive to be a breakthrough consumer product, a cool fad perhaps, but not a lasting computing revolution.
Evans writes: an AR device with “an ambient, intangible, AI-led UI would change everything”. I agree and would add that education in particular will be revolutionized with these advances.
A VR/AR Sandbox
Stéphan Faudeux’s VR talk at the French Film Festival last month was a terrific survey of VR’s past, present and future. Among many insights, he talked about how some French movie theaters were installing VR arcades. Turns out the concept of a VR arcade isn’t new. IMAX has recently opened their first VR arcade in the states this year and similar projects are popping up all over the country. Norm Laviolette, founder of Asylum Gaming and eSports in New England says:
“Ultimately, we are creating an experience for people, and really there are few things out there that can elicit such an amazing physical, emotional, psychological reaction like VR,” he said. “We plan to have a dedicated wing just for VR, and keep it flexible to evolve as VR evolves and becomes more and more sophisticated.
As I talk with more people on campus about implementing VR technologies, the more I believe, in addition to faculty driven academic and research developments, we should also be student focused. What types of experiences will our students expect in 3-5 years when they are campus? We should be giving student’s access to these new technologies and I think a VR sandbox/arcade concept like Mk2 VR might work at an institution our size.