From an exciting, new use case for spatial navigation in healthcare to AR tech in transport, here are some extracts from our most popular news stories over the last seven days.
Meta Remains Committed to Enterprise Metaverse
Meta set itself a high benchmark when it first unveiled the Horizon Worlds platform and the Metaverse concept. The firm promised large-scale hopes in a short period. While Meta’s expectations and marketing predicted quick adoption, the firm’s Metaverse ambitions fell dormant.
A recent post by the Menlo Park-based firm noted that while the hype cycle dwindled, with many eyes turning towards the genAI booms, including Meta’s, the firm remains “committed to both.”
Meta was also keen to communicate the “promising opportunities” for Metaverse use cases in the enterprise sector.
Meta states that training and education hold potential value for shared immersive experiences. In the same blog post, Meta noted its tapping into XR’s impact on learning outcomes today.
The firm also highlighted a collaboration demo named Caddy, which enables remote groups to work on VR/MR CAD models.
Meta notes how the Caddy demo highlights how VR/MR can increase accessibility to tools such as CAD and 3D modelling software – with Meta noting how the tech can “level the playing field.”
Moreover, Meta emphasises that its Metaverse research could soon benefit many sectors, including healthcare, sports, and entrepreneurship.
According to Meta, consumer interest in VR/MR applications via the Quest portfolio is also increasing. Notably, fitness and wellness appear to be leading consumer use cases for VR/MR on the Quest – with such applications topping recent sales charts. (Read on…).
Could Spatial Computing Help Detect Early Alzheimer’s Symptoms?
This week, Cambridge researchers may have discovered an incredibly valuable medical innovation suggesting that VR could detect early Alzheimer’s symptoms in patients.
Research conducted by experts at the University of Cambridge asked volunteers to navigate a spatial/immersive environment, which in turn helps researchers detect impairments in spatial understanding – an early Alzheimer’s warning sign. The research included 100 asymptomatic adults aged 43 to 66.
By leveraging HTC VIVE-brand VR technology, the researchers were able to show how navigation abilities are linked to dementia risk based on genetic and environmental factors.
Dr Richard Oakley, Associate Director of Research and Innovation at the Alzheimer’s Society, added:
Very early symptoms of dementia can be subtle and difficult to detect, but problems with navigation are thought to be some of the first changes in Alzheimer’s disease. This innovative technology is a long way from becoming a diagnostic test, but it does provide more evidence about the role of navigational abilities as an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease.
Moreover, Professor Dennis Chan also said that “the VR navigation test is based on our knowledge of the spatial properties of cells in the brain’s temporal lobe, and the application of cellular neuroscience to clinical populations helps bridge the gap in understanding how disease at the neuronal level can result in the clinical manifestation of disease.” (Read on…).
Virtual Training Solution Provider Gains Millions to Expand to Nordic, UK Regions
This week, immersive learning solution provider SynergyXR announced the securement of roughly $2 million in an investment round to boost the firm’s topline and bottom-line growth as an XR tech leader.
The CEO from SynergyXR, Mads Troelsgaard, said:
In today’s dynamic digital landscape, transformation is not just about staying relevant; it is about seizing the lead with technology that’s already proven its worth. Despite a tightening investment climate, our ability to not only retain our trusted investors but also welcome Kvanted into our circle is a testament to our vision’s strength and our technology’s impact. This partnership marks a pivotal step towards accelerating our growth across the Nordics and the UK setting new benchmarks for success in our industry.
The move enables SynergyXR to bring next-generation immersive digital transformation and training tools to manufacturing and production industries. SynergyXR plans to expand its training brand to Nordic and UK regions, with the firm’s recent backer, VC Kvanted, noting the importance of developing XR training in these sectors. VC Kvanted led the investment round with assistance from EIFO, Innovester, North-East Ventures and AURA Ventures. (Read on…).
Is Ford Developing Augmented Reality Products?
This week, automotive leader Ford Motor Company reportedly filled patents suggesting that the firm is working on AR technology for its upcoming vehicles. As reported by the Ford Authority, the firm filed a United States patent on June 27th, 2022, with the filling published on March 5th, 2024.
The filling shows how Ford is developing an augmented reality-powered weight indicator, which indicates if an area of a circle is overloaded, such as the rear of a pickup truck.
The system aims to make hauling and towing safer and more accessible by leveraging AR to make users more aware of their surroundings and vehicles.
The filling reads that the patented system generates an augmented environment, primarily including a weight indicator for a vehicle shown via an immersive user interface.
In the patent filing, Ford highlights an example use case for the system. The firm explains that the AR system can capture image data through vehicle-based cameras, such as the first location where a user places a heavy object in the car.
Then, the system’s processor circuitry generates the augmented map, which shows the heavy loads in the vehicle and where they are placed.
Ford’s system then relays the image data/augmented map as an interactable user interface showing the correlation of vehicle loads and weights. (Read on…).
