Agenda

Description

Join us as startups pitch to our panel of judges for a chance to be named AWE's "Startup to Watch" for 2021. The winner will be announced at the Auggie Awards ceremony. Pitches during this block include: |Michael DiBenigno, Flow Immersive| |Liat Sade Sternberg , fuse.ar| |David Colleen, SapientX| |Dana Chermesh-Reshef, inCitu| |Paul Hill, M.A.D tronics| |Eduardo Neeter, HyperTunnel| |Gordon Midwood, Anything World|

Speakers

Alicia Raisinghani

Head of AR Platform Integrations , Meta

Tipatat Chennavasin

General Partner , The Venture Reality Fund

Jason McDowall

Creator & Host , The AR Show

Description

What does live performance look like in virtual worlds and how can virtual production be used? Step behind the curtain with Director Kiira Benzing of Finding Pandora X, winner of the Venice Film Festival’s Best VR Immersive User Experience Award and the Audience Award at the 2021 SXSW Festival. This production features Broadway actors embodying virtual avatars. Immersive narrative, ancient mythology, escape rooms, and virtual environments collide in this hour-long interactive performance that transports the audience into a neon-colored immersive storyworld. The audience has a critical role to play, embodying avatars and collectively forming a Greek Chorus. Rooted in the principles of interactivity, liveness, presence, embodiment and community, these productions enable global audiences to socially connect. Join Benzing as she describes the Double Eye Studios’ process for virtual collaboration and explore what types of media can be used to build live virtual performances.

Speakers

Kiira Benzing

Executive Creative Director , Double Eye Studios

Description

Red 6, a technology at the forefront of synthetic training, was founded on the vision to revolutionize training for our warfighters by creating CARBON, the world’s first outdoor synthetic training environment. Using a combination of Augmented Reality and Artificial Intelligence, CARBON allows real fighter pilots, in real airplanes, to visually fly and train against any synthetic threat. Ultimately it will scale to connect all warfighters, across all domains into a joint augmented battlespace, thereby ushering in a new paradigm in training for our military. This vision is fast becoming a reality and Red 6 is in the fight for the future of our national security.

Speakers

Daniel Robinson

Founder and CEO , RED 6

Description

This presentation will cover the significant impact that remote collaboration platforms have had within the pharmaceutical industry. Attendees will understand the clear value these systems provide for compliance-driven organizations, the long-term impact in optimizing collaboration within organizations, and how to deploy this technology at scale. Supporting data and case studies will be presented, demonstrating how pharmaceutical, laboratory, and manufacturing teams are successfully leveraging augmented-reality-enhanced global collaboration systems to improve efficiency, training, operator reliability, safety, and partner/vendor interactions. Attendees will also understand how the COVID pandemic acted as a catalyst for the rapid adoption of these platforms and why ongoing implementation of these platforms has become crucial for the life sciences industry.

Speakers

Angelo Stracquatanio

CEO & Co-Founder , Apprentice.io

Description

META’s ARfusion™ combines precision cast lens fabrication tools and functional metasurfaces, to provide AR wearable developers with a platform for seamlessly integrating smart technologies into thin lightweight prescription glasses. Embedded smart technologies can include waveguides, microdisplays, holographic filters, polarizing, liquid crystal/electrochromic foils, antifogging and eyeglow suppression films, antennas, and eye trackers. The ARfusion™ platform enables scalable and versatile fabrication processes for manufacturing AR glasses of any size and shape in large volumes. A dramatic reduction in the number of process steps also results in a major cost advantage over traditional lens moulding.

Speakers

Jonathan Waldern

CTO , META®

Description

This panel will explore the bounds of the metaverse with haptics, looking at measuring value, communicating benefits, difficulties of implementation and looking into the future of touch. We’ll discuss mass-market tech, niche trends, accessibility, and education. The panel will tackle real-life implementations, future-forward, and what needs to happen for mass adoption. What does the future feel like for everyone?

Speakers

Serdal Yeter

Marketing Manager , Manus VR

Gijs den Butter

CPO & Co-Founder , SenseGlove

Ashley Huffman

Strategic Partnerships , TITAN Haptics

Elizabeth Nguyen

Fellow , WXR Fund

Description

Whereas consumer virtual reality (VR) systems can support scenarios that are quite visually and aurally realistic, most of today’s VR hardware is lacking when it comes to physical touch. This can be especially problematic for cases where the goal is to train users for the use of real-world physical equipment. Although not widely implemented, enhancing existing VR systems with physical props and other physical cues can enable users to feel what they see, resulting in better training transfer to the real world. This talk will explore where such physicality is important and present some example props and use cases. Attendees will leave the talk with ideas of why and how they might incorporate physicality into their XR simulations.

Speakers

Jason Jerald

CEO , NextGen Interactions

Description

JLG is the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of access equipment. We deliver powerful, versatile equipment, along with unsurpassed training, service, and technologies. As the access industry leader, we feel it is our responsibility to innovate to advance the job site of tomorrow, today. Our approach to innovation is customer-inspired, enabling us to bring to market valuable solutions that provide tangible performance, productivity, and uptime benefits to our customers. The JLG Connected Solutions and Technical Publications team, identified augmented reality, a quickly emerging technology, as one that could help eliminate multiple customer pain points in the access industry.

There were two main challenges JLG set out to solve with the use of augmented reality. The first was the need for customers, primarily heavy equipment contractors who rent aerial lifts, to know what machine/s or accessories were needed for specific jobs. JLG currently offers a product portfolio of 150+ products with many configurations. While rental companies are oftentimes familiar with the full depth of offerings, those that rent from these companies are not. The second challenge was to find a solution for transitioning from traditional paper manuals to something more user-friendly and easier to access on the go.

In the fall of 2018, JLG engaged with AR/VR software development company, Futurus, to bring their vision for a more connected future to life. Ultimately, the solution would provide far more than the initial two challenges it set out to solve.

The award-winning app is designed to provide efficient on-site management tools for JLG machine operators and technicians. The app includes Machine Visualization, Accessory Visualization, Decal Viewer, Operation Guidance, and Machine Inspection Assistance modules. These tools provide JLG customers easy access to view machine and accessory options, perform inspections, and understand machine decals and controls, all while using augmented reality technology via a downloadable app.

This session will leave attendees with the following takeaways:

• How to gain visibility while championing immersive technology within a large organization.
• Considerations for prototyping and production before you start your own project.
• Options for leveraging various types of immersive content in one cohesive experience.

Speakers

Annie Eaton

CEO , Futurus

Korry Kobel

Director of Product Development, Connected Solutions , JLG Industries Inc

Description

From the studio that owns horror, and everyone’s favorite underworld assassin, Lionsgate is building an ecosystem that embraces immersive technologies used in next-gen gaming and location based entertainment – including the world’s first multiplayer VR theme park experience and PC/console video game turned physical escape room attraction – this panel will cover the challenges and opportunities that are presented with the intersection of entertainment, gaming, XR, and future of Hollywood IP via the LIONSGATEway, paving the road ahead in the immersive frontier.

Speakers

Jenefer Brown

EVP, Live & Location Based Entertainment , Lionsgate Entertainment

Lucianne Tan

Executive Director, Marketing - Interactive Ventures & Games , Lionsgate Entertainment

Gene Rogers

Vice President of Location Based Entertainment , Lionsgate Entertainment

Description

Augmented Reality for enterprise applications has been advancing. Scores of pilot projects have proven the ROI of AR solutions and we’re beginning to see production systems in daily use. Still, enterprise use cases are particularly challenging. Advancements in augmented reality for the energy and utilities fields have, in some ways, lagged behind progress in other industries. In other ways, these markets are poised to leap ahead. Simultaneously, the convergence of spatial computing, AI and Digital Twins is providing fertile ground for “Intelligent AR” to become the essential user interface for field workers.

This panel of distinguished experts from the oil and gas, electric utilities, and geospatial data communities will discuss their perspectives on evolution of enterprise AR. They’ll offer use case examples and practical lessons-learned. They’ll also offer their visions for future development. The panel will conclude with a Q&A session and offer suggestions for how new participants in the AR ecosystem can get involved.

Speakers

George Percivall

Expert Advisor , Ethar, Inc

Ed Moore

Chevron Distinguished Engineer - OT , Chevron

Randy Rhodes

Technical Executive , Electric Power Research Institute

Tony Hodgson

CEO , Ethar, Inc

Description

Virtual Production is a term that has become commonplace in the last 18 months. Covid-19 has forced filmmakers to reconsider their production methodologies while shows like Disney's The Mandalorian are leveraging new and familiar augmented technologies to produce impossible storytelling. From LED walled stages, and volumetric capture, to Virtual Beings and AI: Virtual Production is changing the landscape of content. We bring together Virtual Productions entrepreneurs who are moving the needle and building technologies that are paving the future of entertainment. What role are game engines playing in this future? What skills are needed to participate in this production revolution? And what is the overlap with the XR industry?

Speakers

Mariana Acuña

Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer , Glassbox Technologies

Jenni Ogden

Chief Operating Officer/Co-Founder , 4D Fun

Rene Amador

Chief Executive Officer , ARwall

Katherine Harris Mojica

Engineer/Technical Designer , Magnopus

Ray Mosco

Developer Relations , HTC Vive

Description

AR/VR applications are becoming increasingly social and collaborative. From multiplayer games to virtual events to immersive workspaces, these technologies are bringing individuals across the world together. We are entering a new paradigm shift with the emergence of the Metaverse. This has the potential to transform the way we communicate—but as other digital communications platforms have shown, it also raises risks of harm to users. What's more, the immersive, 3D nature of AR/VR experiences means that traditional approaches to mitigate these harms through trust and safety measures will likely be insufficient to fully protect users in these virtual spaces. This panel will explore how to both define and address trust and safety concerns in immersive experiences. Experts in trust and safety and multi-user immersive experiences will highlight the unique challenges for trust and safety in the Metaverse and discuss how companies building these realities can begin to address them.

Speakers

Ellysse Dick

Policy Analyst , Information Technology and Innovation Foundation

Kavya Pearlman

Founder & CEO , XR Safety Initiative

Joan V. O'Hara

Vice President of Public Policy , XR Association

Anne Hobson

Public Policy Manager, AR/VR , Meta

Description

Grundfos is the world’s largest pump manufacturer and recognized for developing innovative water solutions that keeps millions of people connected every day. With more than 19,000 employees spread across the globe, they're always looking for new and better ways to communicate, collaborate and connect. That’s why, for more than a decade, they’ve been partnering with SynergyXR to become a frontrunner in using a wide range of XR technologies.
Since 2010, we’ve been helping Grundfos design and develop XR applications that’ve been driving value across the organization. Starting with award-winning VR and MR training solutions that helped reduced training times from weeks to days, our partnership has now blossomed to Grundfos being a frontrunner in using our new platform, SynergyXR.
As a DIY, XR platform that creates synergy across all XR applications, Grundfos has harnessed the power of SynergyXR and applied it to several use cases spread throughout the value chain. From evaluating candidates for their prestigious graduate program to hosting immersive sales meetings in virtual reality, Grundfos has demonstrated how XR is helping companies stay successful – even during a global pandemic.
During this interactive joint session, we’ll delve into how Grundfos uses SynergyXR to boost their value chain. We’ll explore specific use cases and spotlight how their global teams, from C-suite to front-line workers have responded to these innovations. We’ll also give the audience a live demo of SynergyXR so they can experience first-hand why it’s an XR game change

Speakers

Christian Carlsson

SR Lead Consultant, Data^AI team , Grundfos

Mads Troelsgaard

CEO and Co-Founder , SynergyXR

Description

Augmented reality will fail without a method to adapt to the user’s context. Annoying or frustrating pop-ups will lead to distraction, frustration or confusion. This talk presents the world’s first contact-free facial expression and emotion sensing glasses. Applications include content testing in real-world environments, adaptive displays, and hands-free gesture interaction. The presentation includes a live demo.

Speakers

Charles Nduka

Co-founder and Chief Scientist , Emteq

Description

In this session, you will learn what global brands are doing to prepare for the Metaverse. You'll see examples of how fashion, consumer packaged goods, and auto brands are inspiring consumers to virtually interact with and try-on products. You'll also learn how real-time 3D workflows are used to create hyper-realistic assets and experiences with more efficient workflows.

Speakers

Raffaella Camera

Head of Brands , Epic Games - Unreal Engine

Description

Join us as startups pitch to our panel of judges for a chance to be named AWE's "Startup to Watch" for 2021. The winner will be announced at the Auggie Awards ceremony. Pitches during this block include: |Ippolito Caradonna, Aug Lab| |Cyril Tuschi, Syncreality| |Dr. Sara Smith, MARVL| |Chitra Ananda, Octagon ARMS| |Amit Chachek, weR Augmented reality| |Delz Erinle, Thrill-Astra| |Ran Kern, Augmind|

Speakers

Tipatat Chennavasin

General Partner , The Venture Reality Fund

Alicia Raisinghani

Head of AR Platform Integrations , Meta

Jason McDowall

Creator & Host , The AR Show

Description

In today's world technology is ubiquitous. COVID-19 has taught us that we can(*) live and operate in a virtual world. We as a society rely on technology more than ever, from doing our jobs, to running our homes to education. The future of tomorrow will bring more immersive technologies to everyday use for younger and younger audiences. This talk is meant to spark conversations about topics that we’re not talking about today. We’ll explore hypothetical scenarios and ask difficult questions to ensure we’re protecting our next generation to the best of our ability.

(*) with a lot of effort and sacrifice.

Speakers

Tamas Henning

Director, Security Engineering , Marqeta Inc

Description

BRCvr World Tours take you on an interactive experience of five worlds, featuring the creative talent and ingenuity of BRC community of World Builders and 3D Modelers, all part of the 2021 Virtual Burn. Join Kallisti Dawn and MisterMeta4 on two tours organized for AWE 2021! We’ll meet at the BRCvr 2021 Hub World then go on a playa wander through five BRCvr Zones and Worlds. Come play in the digital dust with us!

BRCvr 2021 - HUB WORLD:
https://account.altvr.com/worlds/1436590711179837804/spaces/1546071944607040464

Where: Enter Code TAS579

BRCvr.org/RSVP/

PLAN ahead. First time visiting BRCvr? Give yourself at least 30 minutes before our BRCvr World Tour, to set up your AltspaceVR account, follow the tutorial and customize your avatar - all FREE. Be sure to enable Worlds Beta and Early Access in your settings. Then meet BRCvr’s KallistiDawn and MisterMeta4 in the BRCvr 2021 - HUB WORLD, see you there!

Join on VR headsets; Windows Mixed Reality; and in 2D Mode on desktop / laptop.

Description

Learn how JOVRNALISM has trained and empowered underserved/underrepresented communities to tell their own stories using emerging tech. This community collaborative approach has powerful pieces on homelessness, foster care and domestic abuse leading -- winning multiple awards including The Webby, The Shorty and the Society of Professional Journalists "Best in Show." (We were a finalists for an Auggie, but didn't win.) Hear from the communities partners and professor on their approach to include diverse voices that are often left out, especially when it comes to emerging tech.

Speakers

Robert Hernandez

Professor of Professional Practice , USC Annenberg School of Journalism

Description

Mobile augmented reality has the potential to bring to the users vibrant and immersive representations of important information at the right time and the right place within the physical world. Yet existing mobile augmented reality systems often make mistakes in identifying the objects present in the real world, thus generating incorrect virtual objects for the users. They also make mistakes in placing virtual objects within the real world, making them appear as shifting, oscillating, or jumping around. This talk outlines a vision of addressing such environmental awareness limitations by taking advantage of Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and controllers located in the vicinity of mobile augmented reality devices, along with edge computing infrastructures. Many IoT devices, such as smart lights, cameras, and displays, are already pervasive in smart homes, offices, and other environments. The talk will outline how to improve mobile augmented reality environmental awareness by using these IoT devices as sources of additional information about the real world, and as means for partially controlling the state of the world. The talk describes how this IoT support will make mobile augmented reality more reliable, paving way for its widespread applications in health-critical and safety-critical domains.

Speakers

Maria Gorlatova

Assistant Professor , Duke University