November may potentially become the United States’ official month to commemorate extended reality (XR) technologies, it was revealed on Thursday last week.
Congressman Darrel Issa (CA-50), along with Rep Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Rep Ted Lieu (CA-33), and Rep Yvette D Clarke (NY-09), submitted the resolution aimed at declaring November 2022 as National XR Month, with the XR Association planning to host the first-ever event in November.
🚨 The XR Association is proud to support H.Res.1399, a new congressional resolution to officially recognize November as “National XR Month”.
Thank you to members of the Reality Caucus, including @DarrellIssa @RepDelBene @RepYvetteClarke @RepTedLieu: https://t.co/GCqdGusmjB pic.twitter.com/26Q7LfzA7P
— XR Association (@XRAssociation) September 29, 2022
According to the legislation, XR technologies, which included virtual, augmented, and mixed reality (VR/AR/MR), could potentially support 23 million jobs with its innovations by 2030, totalling $450 billion USD in the global market.
Comments on National XR Month
The Month would create a “special opportunity” to raise awareness about XR technologies and their role in education, entertainment, healthcare, manufacturing, and retail, Elizabeth Hyman, Chief Executive of the XRA, said in a statement.
She added,
“We thank Rep. Darrell Issa and Rep. Suzan DelBene for their continuing leadership in the emerging technology space. They are helping to ensure the U.S. remains at the forefront of global innovation for decades to come”
XR could also facilitate essential human services such as medical and mental health more efficiently, namely as “surgeons, firefighters, police officers, and others train more safely and effectively by using high-detail, virtual scenarios,” he explained.
He also called for the “public recognition” of XR, adding,
“It’s time for Congress to raise awareness of XR because of its capacity to impact and improve all sectors of our society”
XR could also expedite “swift and accurate” manufacturing and logistics processes, with future students benefitting from “multisensory learning” not currently available in current classrooms, Issa concluded.
Echoing Issa’s comments, Rep DelBene added that such technologies could improve child education, workforce training, improve medical care safety, and other benefits.
“As a Co-Chair of the Reality Caucus, I encourage everyone to join us in celebrating these opportunities and expand our thinking of how this technology can improve our lives during National XR Month,” said DelBene.
Rep Lieu explained further that the possibilities were “endless” and that he wanted the US to “remain on the front lines of innovation.”
“A fourth industrial revolution is underway, and breakthroughs in emerging technology can potentially shift the future balance of economic and military power. It is in our economic and national security interest to lead the way in terms of emerging technologies like virtual, augmented, and mixed reality”
Congresswoman Yvette D Clarke concluded that the “vast potential” of XR had already “reached countless industries,” adding Congress was obliged to ensure such tools were “encouraged, rather than hindered.”
“The next generation of America’s mixed reality workforce is waiting on the horizon, and I promise to provide these pioneers with my unwavering support and advocacy long into tomorrow,” she concluded.
US Immersive Tech and the CHIPS Act
The news comes just days after the XRA joined the XR Summit along with Journey’s Lee Kebler to discuss achievements in the XR industry, including President Joe Biden’s signing of the CHIPS Act in August.
The legislation will include billions in public funding to boost emerging technologies such as machine learning (ML), artificial intelligence (AI), XR, quantum computing, and robotics.
The four lawmakers submitting the bill for National XR Month are also members of the Congressional Caucus on Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality Technologies, who work concurrently to rally the immersive and emerging technology industry for industry best practices, interoperability, and standards.
Some of the world’s top XR firms, including Microsoft, Google, Accenture, HTC VIVE, Meta Platforms, and Sony Interactive Entertainment have joined the Association to realise the nations XR ambitions.
