TD Bank’s VR Pilot Success 🏦, Lowe’s MR Kitchens 🏠, XR in Law Enforcement 🚔
Edition 2
Enterprise Spotlight
TD Bank’s VR Initiative: 80% More Effective, 93% High Retention
TD Bank Group has launched an immersive VR pilot to enhance training and connectivity among colleagues across North America. In collaboration with Strivr, TD implemented VR simulations in branches, with almost 80% of participants finding VR more effective than traditional training. Additionally, 93% reported high information retention, and nearly 90% felt confident applying their learned skills in real-world situations. The initiative also expanded to early talent programs using Remio’s platform, allowing new hires to network with peers in Canada and the US in a virtual cafe and through activities like virtual pinball, table tennis, basketball, and mini-putt. Team-building activities include a puzzle race in a virtual obstacle course and an escape room. The pilot program in Canada (January-April 2023) was successful, with 99% of participants satisfied and 92% noting improved co-op/intern experiences, demonstrating the growing application of spatial computing in workforce development.
VR Training System Revolutionizes Law Enforcement in Mexico City
The V-Armed system, utilized by the LAPD, NYPD, and NCBRT for large-scale training scenarios, is the first VR police training system in Latin America. This system enhances Mexico City’s police training with increased mobility and longer sessions using a private 5G network. The HTC VIVE XR Elite headsets offer a more responsive and immersive experience, enabling officers to practice real-life scenarios and improve decision-making skills. The new setup allows continuous training sessions, significantly improving mission readiness, situational awareness, and response times for law enforcement personnel.
XR Training Enhances Global Water Management at Grundfos
HTC VIVE and SynergyXR have equipped Grundfos with an XR training platform to enhance global water management efforts. They rapidly created virtual models for training using existing architectural drawings and CAD files. This immersive environment allows trainees to interact with complex machinery virtually, improving training outcomes and operational efficiency. By digitizing the training process, Grundfos can provide consistent, scalable training that effectively addresses water challenges. This use of XR technology exemplifies how innovative solutions can streamline processes and foster advancements in water management.
Morehouse College Sees 11.9% Rise in Achievement with VR Metaversity
Morehouse College has created a digital twin of its campus known as a Metaversity. This Metaversity supports various student activities, from academic courses to galas, enhancing the overall student experience. The implementation of VR has led to an 11.9% increase in student achievement. Additionally, Morehouse is using AI models for pre-service instructors and healthcare professionals, providing interactive learning environments that improve educational outcomes across disciplines, including humanities and STEM.
Lowe’s Introduces Mixed-Reality Kitchen Design with Apple Vision Pro
Lowe’s has introduced an innovative in-store kitchen design experience using Apple Vision Pro. This experience allows customers to visualize and customize their kitchen designs in an immersive MR environment. By integrating MR, Lowe’s aims to enhance customer engagement and streamline the design process, providing a more interactive and personalized shopping experience.
Clackamas Fire Department Launches VR Training Program
Clackamas Fire Department has introduced EmergiSim’s VR training program to enhance firefighter preparedness. This cutting-edge program immerses trainees in realistic emergency scenarios, improving their skills in a safe and controlled environment. The initiative aims to increase efficiency and safety in real-life fire emergencies through advanced VR technology.
Spatial Roundup
New Tools in visionOS 2 Enhance Apple Vision Pro Development
Apple's visionOS 2 introduces new APIs, including volumetric APIs that give developers more control over 3D objects and allow complex spatial apps to run side by side. The new TabletopKit framework simplifies creating shared and collaborative app experiences centered around a table. Enhanced enterprise APIs provide improved sensor access and control, with features like primary camera access, passthrough in screen capture, and spatial barcode and QR code scanning, benefiting sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, and aerospace. Additionally, application scenes now reopen in their previous state and placement after restarting Apple Vision Pro.Meta Quest Supports New 3D Windows Volumetric Apps
Microsoft introduced "Windows Volumetric Apps on Meta Quest," enabling 3D Windows apps on Meta Quest headsets. Developers can now access a volumetric API to extend 3D desktop applications into mixed reality.Palmer Luckey Teases New VR Headset Announcement
Palmer Luckey has announced that he will unveil a new HMD project at AWE 2024 later this month. This marks his return to HMD development after selling Oculus and founding Anduril, highlighting his ongoing influence in the XR industry.New England Patriots Use VR to Boost Drake Maye’s Training
The New England Patriots are using virtual reality to aid the development of quarterback Drake Maye. This innovative approach allows Maye to practice and improve his skills in simulated game scenarios, providing a unique training advantage.Meta Quest 3 Welcomes ‘Alo Moves’ Mixed Reality App
The 'Alo Moves' mixed reality app is set to launch exclusively on Meta Quest 3. This app combines yoga, Pilates, mindfulness meditation, and sound baths into an immersive experience, enhancing physical and mental wellness through MR technology.Scientists Develop Advanced Metaholograms for AR/VR
Researchers have created “metaholograms,” a new type of hologram that can project multiple high-fidelity images without crosstalk, potentially revolutionizing AR/VR displays. These metaholograms offer higher resolution, broader bandwidth, and wider viewing angles, using innovative geometric phase encoding and k-space translation design.Google Partners with Magic Leap for XR Headset Development
Google has partnered with Magic Leap to advance its XR headset technology, focusing on optics and manufacturing. This collaboration aims to leverage Magic Leap's expertise to enhance the development and production of next-gen XR devices for Google's platform.VR Study Uncovers New Brain Mechanisms
Researchers have discovered that virtual reality can induce self-location illusions, activating the brain’s grid cells without visual cues. This finding reveals new brain mechanisms and suggests potential applications for diagnosing hallucinatory symptoms and developing treatments for illusory conditions.
We’re gearing up to introduce our new 'Industry In Focus' release, where we’ll explore the latest developments and trends in various sectors and showcase how spatial computing is making an impact there. Help us choose which industry to feature first!