Is the future of extended reality technology AR smart glasses? While VR headsets will always have use cases in areas like immersive training, the market is shifting towards new AR and MR devices.
While MR headsets are generally more expensive, with the Apple Vision Pro raising the average selling price by over $1000, audiences are still interested enough to turn their gaze towards a product that can leverage VR and AR applications.
Reports also indicate that the volume of MR headset shipments is projected to increase with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 43.9 per cent from 2024 to 2028. This growth is anticipated due to the expected decrease in the initial entry price for MR headsets. The increase in shipments can be attributed to potential audiences transitioning from VR to MR/AR devices and the launch of new mass-market products.
Moreover, AR smart glasses are a popular potential product that provides a more affordable and wearable alternative to bulky head-mounted hardware. They have optimised sales numbers reaching vendors.
As the second half of 2024’s industrial events are inbound, today, the market sees how audiences react to new devices, whether the positive adoption of the latest Meta smart glasses or the new regional availability of Apple Vision Pro.
There is still a lot to come this year: new announcements, events, and maybe products. XR is a slow burn, however; while the technology is being tested in enterprise space worldwide, the journey is still early, and the story is yet to be written.
How will the next few chapters of XR play out? It’s hard to tell, but if the current momentum continues, perhaps by the end of the decade, the die-hard marketing campaigns flooding social feeds will become a reality.
Apple Vision Pro Debuts in the United Kingdom
Over the past weekend, Apple launched its Vision Pro mixed reality headset in the United Kingdom, marking the completion of the international rollout that began at WWDC 2024. The device is now available in various regions, including mainland China, Japan, Singapore, Australia, Canada, France, and Germany.
UK customers can now demo and purchase the Vision Pro device for 2,785 GBP. The product comes with additional accessories, such as a solo knit band, a dual loop band, a personalized light seal with two light seal cushions, an Apple Vision Pro cover, a polishing cloth, a battery, a USB-C charge cable, and a USB-C power adapter. The package also includes ZEISS Optical Prescription inserts to improve clarity for those with vision impairments.
Apple also mentioned that approximately 2,000 spatial applications have been launched by XR application developers for the productivity-focused XR device. Vision Pro users can additionally access around 1.5 million compatible iOS and iPadOS applications, expanding the device’s capabilities.
Furthermore, Apple supports major digital service providers, specifically for workplace use, including Box, Craft, Fantastical, MindNode, Slack, Things 3, Webex, Zoom, and Microsoft 365.
Liverpool Public Invited to VR Walkthrough of £100m Construction Project
Liverpool’s Mayor, Steve Rotheram, hosted a showcase event at the Baltic Triangle using VR walkthrough technology to showcase the development of the £100 million Baltic Merseyrail construction project.
Rotherham stated:
Our plans for Liverpool Baltic station demonstrate our ambitions for the future of our network, with this virtual walkthrough showcasing the level of quality we want to build for our residents. This station will be located in an area that is growing in popularity, and this holds massive potential in driving economic growth in and around the Baltic.
The showcase features a VR walkthrough application that allows people to experience a simulated version of the ongoing construction project. Rotheram mentioned that the project is the first of many new stations as part of his commitment to ‘Merseyrail for All’, aiming to connect communities currently not served by the rail network to promote growth and opportunities in the area.
During the showcase, Rotherham used a virtual version of the soon-to-be-completed construction project to demonstrate what the space will look like when it’s finished in 2027.
The first drop-in virtual walkthrough session began this week and will run until Sunday, August 4, 2024. The VR walkthrough program is accessible through an online webpage. Future drop-in events will start on Tuesday, July 23, at FireFit Youth and Community Hub in Toxteth.
The public can share their opinions on the multi-million-pound project through an accompanying online survey made possible by the VR walkthrough. The project leaders will use the feedback gathered to inform the construction process beginning in 2025.
Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses Smash Sales Expectations
Since their release in October last year, the latest sales of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses have significantly improved over the previous version.
The addition of Meta AI technology has set them apart, allowing users to receive information about the objects they see, along with various other technical enhancements.
Ray-Ban’s first generation smart glasses, ‘Ray-Ban Stories,’ introduced in 2021, did not gain as much popularity as initially expected.
Francesco Milleri, CEO of EssilorLuxottica, the Italian-French multinational corporation that owns Ray-Ban, stated that the first-generation smart glasses, ‘Ray-Ban Stories,’ established the groundwork for the success of this new generation. It wasn’t until the launch of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses just over nine months ago that sales began to soar.
MediSim VR Introduces Chennai’s ‘First’ VR Medical Training Centre
MediSim VR has announced the launch of Chennai’s first immersive and interactive VR training lab at Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (SRIHER).
According to MediSim VR, a healthcare simulation training solutions provider, virtual reality technology has benefited over 4,000 students, providing unparalleled access to immersive, hands-on medical training.
The VR lab offers students realistic medical scenario simulations within a safe environment to boost procedural competency, skills, and confidence.
MediSim VR uses VR technology to help students prepare for real-world situations and bridge theoretical knowledge with practical abilities.
According to MediSim VR, the medical centre SRIHER is introducing VR technology to redefine medical education and empower students from the state and country.
MediSim VR brings its patented technology to meet the needs of healthcare training providers worldwide.
The healthcare simulation company’s AI-powered virtual training environments and competency assessment tools can reportedly enhance the performance of medical students, nursing students, and healthcare professionals.
