Virtual Reality & Augmented Reality Network

"The fourth year of The Henry Ford’s Innovation Nation Teacher Innovator Awards has launched! The Henry Ford and Litton Entertainment are looking for teachers who demonstrate the habits of an innovator. Teachers who inspire their students to challenge the rules and take risks, who demonstrate how to be collaborative and empathetic, and teach the value of staying curious and learning from failure. Nominations are due February 28."

Today we’re beginning with the Oculus Rift, a head-mounted display (HMD) quickly approaching the second anniversary of its consumer launch. Along with that has come numerous price drops and increasing adoption amongst PC gamers. So once you’re done with Robo Recall, Lone Echo and REZ Infinite, why not check out some of these?

Featuring insights from 5,769 industry professionals, Chaos Group’s new report looks at how technology trends like VR, cloud rendering and an increased need for 3D visuals are affecting architects and visualisation teams in 2017, with new data on potential changes in the year to come. The most noticeable change in the last few years, for employees working at companies of all sizes, is the increased reliance on recently introduced technologies like BIM and VR. 70% confirmed this feeling, overtaking sustainable design by nearly 2:1.

According to Chaos Group, over two-thirds of architecture and architectural visualisation professionals plan to use VR in 2018. 28% already are, with another 28% currently experimenting. This lends credence to the idea that while 3D tools have been mainstream for architects and visualisation artists for some time, the introduction of VR offers new ways for them to experience and communicate unbuilt designs, leading to increased use and interest.

"In the midst of all this enthusiasm, Apple has released a new resource for app developers—the ARKit—that has supercharged augmented reality for fields like entertainment, gaming, advertising and, of course, education.

The ARKit is often mistaken as a single app, but it’s actually a tool for developers to create their own apps. Already, it has opened up the AR floodgates for newer Apple devices, and developers have been showcasing their new apps on social media using the hashtag #ARKit. The latest apps include technology that simulate realistic experiences, making AR more useful than ever in our daily lives.

"While testing some apps before the release of iOS 11, I was overwhelmed with the educational potential and benefit for our students contained in this technology. I found some incredible apps that blew the roof off of our classroom walls, as well as some that provided minimal benefit.

"Here, I’ve made my list of top 10 recommended ARKit apps (as of today) that can drastically transform our lessons and the interactions with content. While I’ve tried to explain the value of these tools, there are some instances where you simply need to see it to believe it, so I’ve included my experience on video using some of the apps to provide further insights whenever possible."

Most of the attention on virtual reality has focused on in-the-home VR experience. You know, your HTC Vives, Oculus Rifts and PlayStation VRs. When we think of VR outside of the home, we usually think of strapping a Google Daydream View or Gear VR to our faces at a theme park.

However, in the past year we've seen the maturation of a new type of virtual reality. Location VR is unlike other VR systems, instead hoping to create the most immersive experience possible. Think of it as a futuristic melding of theme parks and movie theaters.

It’s been a good year for Sony’s virtual reality (VR) headset, a development which has surprised even Sony themselves. Black Friday sales did extremely well for the PlayStation VR, and after Christmas Day, no doubt many households are now experiencing the joy of Sony’s HMD, and also seeking something to play on it.

There are, of course, some overlooked gems lurking amongst the high-profile sparkle of titles such as Resident Evil 7 biohazard or DOOM VFR, so we’re going to take a look at a few lesser-known titles that are most certainly worth the time of a PlayStation VR owner.

With both the ‘Best Oculus Rift Games You’ve Never Played’ and ‘Best PlayStation VR Games You’ve Never Played’ already covered it’s now the turn of HTC Vive, with the headset having a considerable selection on offer. If you can peel yourself away from Fallout 4 VR or DOOM VFR for one moment then how about checking out these lesser-known, but still very good titles.