A recent research conference at Argentinas National University of Comahue (UNCo) featured a new virtual reality (VR) experience that allows users to explore how local unconventional hydrocarbon production, known as fracking, affect the water supply in the Comahue river basin.

SEI scientists Laura Forni, Romina Daz Gmez and Marina Mautner are working together with UNCo on the research, which was featured in a news article about the virtual reality project in Ro Negro .

Argentinas Vaca Muerta region, located in the Patagonian south, is home to the worlds second-largest shale gas reserves and the fourth-largest shale oil deposits , where gas production is outpacing the growth of infrastructure to accommodate it.

SEI and UNCo are investigating how this gas production might pose risks to the water supply, agricultural production, and the population that depends on them. The researchers use remote sensing , or scanning performed by satellites and high-flying aircraft, to map the fracking wells proximity to rivers, farms, neighborhoods and cities. That data informed the interactive VR exhibit, accessible by VR goggles, at UNCos conference.

For the first time we are going to have all the information centralized and we are going to be able to visualize all the components at the level of the Comahue Basin, Daz Gmez told Ro Negro.

As climate change progresses, the regions water supply is expected to decline, while fracking increases the wastewater generated. The teams research on this topic indicates that shale operations increase pressure on the water supply and pose a risk to water quality.

The researchers hope the VR project will help educate the public about frackings impact on local populations and ecosystems, as well as promote the use of remote sensing to produce such data.

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Virtual reality shows how fracking affects Argentinian river basin - Stockholm Environment Institute

The concept of virtual reality (VR) has come a long way since its inception. With the advancements in technology, it has become possible to create virtual environments that are almost indistinguishable from the real world. Two recent concepts that are gaining traction in the world of VR are digital twin and metaverse. In this article, we will explore what these terms mean, how they are related to each other, and what the future of VR might look like with their implementation.

Table of Contents

Introduction

What is Virtual Reality?

Digital Twin: The Concept and Its Applications

The Rise of Metaverse

The Relation between Digital Twin and Metaverse

How Digital Twin and Metaverse will Change the Future of VR

Advantages of Digital Twin and Metaverse

Challenges and Risks Associated with Digital Twin and Metaverse

The Future of Virtual Reality

Conclusion

Introduction

Virtual reality has come a long way since the first crude head-mounted display was developed in the 1960s. With the advancements in technology, it is now possible to create fully immersive virtual environments that are almost indistinguishable from the real world. Two recent concepts that are gaining popularity in the world of VR are digital twin and metaverse. In this article, we will explore what these concepts are, how they are related to each other, and how they will shape the future of VR.

What is Virtual Reality?

Virtual reality is a computer-generated simulation of a three-dimensional environment that can be interacted with in a seemingly real way by a person using special electronic equipment, such as a head-mounted display, gloves, or a bodysuit. VR can be used for various purposes, such as entertainment, education, and training.

Digital Twin: The Concept and Its Applications

A digital twin is a virtual representation of a physical object, process, or system. It is created by collecting data from sensors, cameras, and other sources in real-time and using it to create a 3D model of the object, process, or system. Digital twins can be used in various industries, such as manufacturing, healthcare, and transportation. For example, in manufacturing, a digital twin can be used to simulate the production process and optimise it for efficiency.

The Rise of Metaverse

Metaverse is a term that was first coined by science fiction author Neal Stephenson in his 1992 novel Snow Crash. It refers to a virtual universe that is created by the convergence of multiple virtual worlds. The concept of metaverse has gained popularity in recent years, especially after the success of virtual worlds such as Second Life and Minecraft. Companies such as Facebook and Epic Games are also working on creating their own versions of metaverse.

The Relation between Digital Twin and Metaverse

Digital twin and metaverse are related concepts in the sense that both involve the creation of virtual environments. However, while digital twin is focused on creating a virtual representation of a physical object or system, metaverse is focused on creating a virtual universe that is inhabited by virtual beings.

How Digital Twin and Metaverse will Change the Future of VR

The implementation of digital twin and metaverse will bring about significant changes in the future of VR. Digital twins will enable us to create virtual replicas of physical objects and systems, which can be used for various purposes, such as training and maintenance. Metaverse, on the other hand, will create a virtual universe that is inhabited by virtual beings, opening up new possibilities for entertainment, education, and social interaction.

Advantages of Digital Twin and Metaverse

The implementation of digital twin and metaverse will bring several advantages to the field of VR. Digital twin will allow us to test and optimise physical systems in a virtual environment before implementing them in the real world, reducing the cost and risk of errors. It can also help in remote monitoring and maintenance of physical systems, leading to increased efficiency and reduced downtime.

Metaverse will create new opportunities for entertainment, social interaction, and education. It will allow people from different parts of the world to come together in a virtual environment and experience things that are not possible in the real world. It can also be used for educational purposes, such as simulating historical events or scientific experiments.

The Future of Virtual Reality

The implementation of digital twin and metaverse is just the beginning of the future of VR. With the advancements in technology, it is possible that we may one day be able to fully immerse ourselves in a virtual environment that is indistinguishable from the real world. This could revolutionise the way we work, play, and interact with each other.

Conclusion

Digital twin and metaverse are two concepts that are gaining popularity in the world of virtual reality. Digital twin involves creating a virtual representation of a physical object or system, while metaverse involves creating a virtual universe that is inhabited by virtual beings. The implementation of these concepts will bring several advantages to the field of VR, such as increased efficiency, new opportunities for entertainment and education, and the ability to test and optimise physical systems in a virtual environment.

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Digital Twin and Metaverse: The Future of Virtual Reality - NASSCOM Community

Economic uncertainties are pushing manufacturers to embrace emerging technologies as a means of staying competitive in a constantly evolving market. One example is augmented reality (AR). Deloittes 2023 manufacturing industry outlook reports that 12 percent of surveyed manufacturers plan to focus on AR in the coming year to improve operational efficiencies.

AR technologies enhance the physical world by superimposing digital information onto real-world objects and environments. Often AR displays are paired with gesture recognition to enable interaction with the AR environment. This creates an immersive experience that enhances the perception of and engagement with the real world.

AR can equip facility managers with real-time feeds indicating operating status and delivering production statistics. AR can assist industrial engineers by providing real-time notifications and alerts of potential maintenance issues, allowing for prompt and proactive resolution before they escalate into larger problems. Maintenance personnel can use AR to receive real-time guidance and step-by-step workflows during upkeep and repair operations, improving accuracy and minimizing downtime. Likewise, operators can use AR for training and ongoing guidance while operating equipment and machinery, reducing the risk of error and enhancing efficiency.

Over the last decade, patent applications that mention AR in either their title or abstract have grown from a few hundred applications per year to over a thousand. By examining patent filings, we can gain insight into how industrial manufacturers are utilizing AR technologies in their operations and achieving potential competitive advantages.

Obtaining a patent, however, can involve a significant investment and requires full disclosure of the invention. There is also no guarantee of securing meaningful patent protection, as the final outcome may be either no or limited protection. It is crucial to weigh the costs and benefits of revealing the details of an invention against the potential commercial value of any patent that might result, and the feasibility of enforcing patent rights against an infringer.

AR technologies are being used to enhance operations across entire manufacturing facilities. For instance, U.S. Patent No. 11,265,513, titled Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality for Industrial Automation, provides examples of AR systems that generate and deliver AR presentations to a user via a wearable device. These presentations include 3D holographic views of a plant facility or a location within a plant facility, which can be rendered based on the users current location or orientation on a facility floor.

The AR system can provide automation system data, notification, and proactive guidance by modifying the users view of the immediate surroundings. Additionally, the AR system can superimpose indicators near their corresponding machines, which can relate to critical operating parameters such as temperatures, pressures, speeds, and voltage levels, as well as statistics or key performance indicators such as overall equipment effectiveness, performance or production efficiency, percentage of machine availability over time, product quality statistics, cycle times, overall downtime or runtime durations, and more.

AR technologies are also being used to enhance maintenance operations. U.S. Patent No. 11,270,473, titled Mechanical Fastening Unit Management Method Using Augmented Reality, uses AR to aid operators in the proper tightening of fasteners. The AR-based system superimposes a virtual space on a real space to create an an augmented reality space. Within this AR space, virtual counterparts of a real-world fastening device, such as a torque wrench, and the real-world fasteners are presented. The AR system uses various visual cues such as colors, flashes, text, and graphics to indicate a proper tightening sequence, whether each fastener has received an appropriate amount of torque, and which fasteners still require tightening.

AR technologies have emerged as powerful tools for streamlining the handling of end products generated by this equipment. U.S. Patent No. 11,358,180, titled Workpiece Collecting Point Units and Methods for Supporting the Processing of Workpieces, describes using AR to improve the time-consuming and error-prone process of collecting, sorting, and arranging workpieces. With this system, an AR-equipped operator receives information indicating the appropriate sorting bins for the workpieces during a sorting process. During a collection process, the AR system can augment the display of a collection table to indicate the location of workpiece stacks of the same type and alert the operator when a stack of workpieces is complete.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2022/0221845, titled System and Method for Augmented Reality (AR) Assisted Manufacture of Composite Structures and Bonded Assemblies, describes an AR-assisted system specifically designed for assembling the various layers of such structures and assemblies. These structures, which can include aircraft and vehicle panels, often possess complex geometries that necessitate precise placement during assembly. The AR system provides virtual representations of each layer of the structure and provides visual indicators that ensure accurate placement, position, and orientation of new layers relative to previously assembled layers.

Patents are not the only way to protect competitive advantages. Given the unique nature of manufacturing, innovators should carefully consider whether patents or alternative forms of intellectual property, such as trade secrets, are the most appropriate means of protecting their innovations. AR technologies often are employed in private within the confines of a manufacturing floor. The lack of visibility into whether a competitor is violating a patented invention can limit the effectiveness of the patent. The ability to detect infringement, therefore, is a key factor to consider when deciding whether to seek patent protection.

Potential commercial value is another important factor to consider. The examples above demonstrate that AR technologies may be tailored to suit the specific needs of a given facility, process, or end product. Understanding whether other manufacturers have similar needs can provide valuable insight into the potential market for the AR invention and help to assess the likelihood of competitors copying or licensing the invention. The expected commercial value of a patent, however, should be balanced against the potential costs to enforce it.

Defending ones own innovations, however, is not the only motivation for applying for a patent. Other motivations include potential revenue streams via licensing, access to other technologies through cross-licensing opportunities or joint ventures, obtaining leverage in litigation, attracting investment through increased valuation, and providing access to funding by using patent assets as collateral. Ultimately, a combination of factors and motivations typically guide the decision to seek patent protection.

Manufacturers contemplating patenting their AR innovations should consult with an intellectual property attorney who can provide guidance on available options to safeguard those innovations and assist in crafting a strategy that aligns with specific business objectives.

Brian Emfinger is an IP attorney in Banner Witcoffs Chicago office. His email is bemfinger@bannerwitcoff.com.

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Trends and Opportunities in Augmented Reality - Manufacturing.net

In this augmented reality gas metal arc welding setup, a student lays down a virtual bead.

Its a black art. I used to hear that a lot on fab shop tourscode for something that took years to learn and only the talented few truly mastered. Why, exactly? Sometimes it had to do with the nature of the skill and the workers tactile and visual experience welding a workpiece. If something went awry, theyd try again. And again. And again. For years.

Thing is, considering the acute worker shortage, the industry just doesnt have that kind of time. It needs some way to shorten that training cycle while not skimping on process fundamentals, so that students know what works in what situation and why. They dont just show up to the shop, learn a narrow set of skills (push this button, weld this joint), and get to work. They follow procedures, but they also know why those procedures work so well.

Here, augmented reality (AR) might fill a need, especially for one of the most hands-on processes on the fab shop floor: welding.

Weve been in the augmented reality space for the past eight years, and it continues to get better and better. Were trying to get as close to reality as possible, including visual, audio, and tactile elements. Our ability to create an accurate weld puddle in software has come a long way in just the past few years.

That was Steve Hidden, national account manager, welding education and workforce development, at Miller Electric Mfg. LLC in Appleton, Wis. The company offers its AugmentedArc augmented reality welding system, a technology that merges the visual, aural, and tactile welding experiencethe gun, the workpiece, the buzzing, the visual cueswith software that simulates how a bead flows given how the weld is performed.

Students can wield a gas metal arc welding (GMAW) gun, a stinger for shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), or a gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) torch. The experience isnt a video game. Using a combination of sensors that read the position of strategically placed QR-codes on the weld gun or torch and workpiece, the AR approach to weld training tracks students movements throughout the process.

Imagine the first time a student grasps the welding gun and lays a bead on plate. He strikes the arc, hesitates, then moves too fast. He tries again and burns through. Spatter goes everywhere, and coupon after coupon after coupon goes into the recycling bin. The student continues to practice, using up shielding gas and welding wire, and putting the gun nozzle and other consumable components through all sorts of abuse. Its not a pretty site, andas anyone working at a technical school or fab shop with in-house training knowsit can get quite expensive.

Now imagine that same student donning a welding helmet, only this time hes manipulating an odd-looking GTAW torch and filler rod, each with QR codes. Instead, sensors in the students helmet read those codes to determine how exactly the student manipulates the tungsten tip along a lap joint, creating a virtual fillet on a workpiece that, again, is covered with strategically placed codes, all of which become invisible when the student dons the welding helmet. With the helmet on, he sees a metallic workpiece ready to be joined. He depresses the foot pedal throughout the process, but there are no arcs, no spatter, no metal at all.

A student next to him wields another odd-looking device, this time a stinger for the SMAW process with a code-covered cube near the endagain, all invisible through the weld helmet. She manipulates the stinger carefully down a vertical groove joint. Next to her sits another student, this one manipulating the nozzle of a GMAW gun around a pipe to create a flange weld.

All three are welding in AR. They see the arc, filler metal, and weld being laid down, and they even hear the weld buzz, just as a welder would in a real-world application. When the student practicing GTAW dips too much of the filler rod at once, the weld pool reacts. When the student practicing GMAW travels too quickly, again, the weld pool reacts. After completing the practice joint, all three students keep their welding helmets on to view their completed, virtual weld, defects and all.

Through the welding helmet, the student can see a virtual representation of the welding arc, plus certain markers showing ideal work position, travel, and standoff for a particular lesson.

The software points out exactly where and how those errors occurred. The arc length was too long here. The filler rod angle was off here. Your work and travel angles were off. Not only this, the software shows what those angles should have been and exactly how to correct it.

On the next try, the students teacher turns on visual aids that they see through the welding helmet, showing what elements should be where. I call them training wheels, Hidden said. Are they too close? Are they too far way?

The visual aids are dynamic, changing as needed to direct the student. For instance, a visual cue might show the student where the welding gun should be at a certain point during the weld program; as the student catches up, the cue changes.

We also give the instructor the ability to let students make their own mistakes, Hidden said, adding that the software neednt tell them that, say, their gas setting is wrong, that the voltage is set too high, or anything else. The software might not simulate exactly what happens when something goes awry, like an actual burn-through of the material. But it can graphically show somethings amiss and leave students to figure out what the problem is on their own. Alternatively, teachers can set the system up to notify exactly whats wrong.

Teachers can create their own assignments, Hidden said, adding that they can establish what training wheel symbols to display and when. The key is knowing when to stop giving assistance and let students fly solo. It all depends on students needs and where they are on their training journey.

[AR] serves as an interim phase between theory and hands-on applications, said Patricia Carr, national manager of education and workforce development at Miller, adding that the technology has helped students uncomfortable with the arcs and sparks, including those with disabilities, gain confidence before practicing the real thing, effectively broadening the recruiting net.

The AR system has been designed around the needs of educators. Over the years, experienced welders and welding engineers within and outside Miller have collaborated with software engineers to make the experience ever more realistic. Students now can see all the puddle dynamics, with molten metal wetting against the joint sidewalls. They see weld pool disturbances that could indicate undercut or porosity, incomplete penetration, as well as over-welding practices that could lead to excessive and costly grinding.

All this begs the question, could AR be used to certify welders? Hidden chuckled a bit. Not today, he said. This tool is all about preparation. AR could allow welders to refine their technique and gain muscle memory before practicing in the lab and taking the certification test.

Gaining that muscle memory can be an extraordinary challenge, especially when improper technique can lead to a messy situationlike stick welding overhead, holding an exceedingly long arc, and being caught in a rainstorm of hot sparks.

Using AR, a student can place the workpiece wherever needed to start practicing those challenging weld positions. We have seven coupons for all positions, Hidden said, including flat and overhead. And the beauty with AR, I can take my part [coupon], put double sticky tape on it, and put it underneath the table. Students can crawl underneath the table and weld it.

Looking through the welding helmet, a student can inspect his weld and receive specific feedback.

Repetition builds muscle memory and confidence, preparing students for the real world of overhead welding. Once they strike an arc for real, theyre more likely to maintain the right welding technique and produce a clean bead without a plethora of sparks raining down.

Students and professionals using the AR system can practice any technique they wish, but as Hidden explained, software does need to be built around a specific technique to score itthat is, building the ability to track the position of the weld and consumables, compare it to an ideal, score it based on that comparison, and pinpoint areas for improvement. For instance, students practicing GTAW might want to walk the cup over a certain joint geometry. They can run through the motions to gain the muscle memory, but the system wont be able to give comprehensive feedback, at least not yet.

Though, of course, new software is being written and improved upon all the time. As Carr explained, Miller has been following the voice-of-the-customer methodology, developing software requested by the majority of current and potential users of the technology.

Even in its current state, AR helps demystify a misunderstood, opaque process by identifying exactly what makes a good weld and what doesnt. Skilled people take many paths to achieve a quality weld, so not following exactly what the AR system prescribes doesnt guarantee failure. Still, in the future, those learning and perfecting their skillsand perhaps even experienced welding professionalsmight look more and more to AR as a kind of compass, something to reference to make sure their fundamentals are there and that theyre headed in the right direction. And theres an added bonus: They neednt waste consumables and test coupons in the process.

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How augmented reality is being used to train the next generation of ... - TheFabricator.com

Virtual reality (VR) training continues to lead as one of the top verticals for the extended reality (XR) umbrella of technologies. Along with augmented and mixed reality (AR/MR), VRs fully-immersive training capabilities remain a vital tool in boosting learner engagement. Talespin, a major supplier of XR training solutions, recently debuted a web-based version of its CoPilot Designer platform to increase adoption rates for enterprises.

Numerous studies and end users have documented a significant increase in information and employee retention rates due to XRs appealing, interactive instructional designs. Additional emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) are also expediting the democratisation of XR for enterprises tapping the tools needed to empower workforces.

XR Today interviewed Kyle Jackson, CEO and Co-Founder, Talespin to discuss the latest updates on the companys CoPilot Designer solution. He discussed how his companys latest update provides employers with impressive platforms to upskill workers on-the-fly and with promising results.

Kyle Jackson: We are excited to announce the launch of a web-based version of our no-code, AI-enabled XR content creation tool, CoPilot Designer, which is now available for our customers and partners.

This update creates a version of our design tool that is easier to use and adopt than ever. In the near term, this will help our current customers save time and money, allow us to welcome more customers to our platform, and ultimately lead to more immersive learning content production across our ecosystem empowering companies to scale content across teams, offices, and geographies faster and more efficiently than ever.

However, we think its important to note the broader context. If we take a step back, theres an even bigger picture that CoPilot Designer plays its part in as our industry adapts to generative AI content creation tools and prepares for a new wave of XR headsets. We know this combination will usher in a new paradigm of immersive content creation and distribution.

We see our platform, and specifically CoPilot Designer, as a critical layer in this equation. CoPilot Designer harnesses AIs speed and scale and applies both to creating and publishing the next generation of highly engaging XR learning content.

Kyle Jackson: When we first released CoPilot Designer to the market in 2021, it was a key piece of our vision to help people become better humans. Weve always believed that AI-powered virtual humans could help real humans get better at skills such as critical thinking, empathy, and navigating difficult workplace conversations.

Ironically, we realized that as AI emerged, our human skills soft skills would be more in demand than ever. Since then, weve spent more than four years using our platform to help dozens of enterprises train their workforce in human skills in VR.

VR is a perfect channel for workers to practice difficult conversations in a safe, non-judgmental environment. It allows learners to practice delicate scenarios requiring mindfulness and tact and reinforces key interactions no college or business school trains for.

Going forward, we believe that as AI continues to automate many tasks, a spotlight will be further shined on workers human intelligence, soft skills, and people skills and become what truly differentiates them in the future workplace.

Kyle Jackson: Currently, customers can use CoPilot Designer for content creation workflows with complementary generative AI text and image tools, such as ChatGPT and Midjourney. XR content created with CoPilot Designer also uses text-to-speech and natural language processing to deliver realistic conversational simulations for learners.

We are also thoughtfully exploring more AI integrations on our roadmap. For example, the ability to create immersive learning simulations where the speech from virtual human characters can be driven by a large language model (LLM) that is guided by the constraints provided by the business.

This can also be mixed with more prescriptive immersive branched narratives for enterprise use cases ranging from onboarding to customer experience training simulations. With integrations like this, CoPilot Designer can be used to author open-ended AI-powered immersive learning experiences and learning modules with a very specific scenario or script for use cases that require that.

Kyle Jackson: Absolutely! Our customers have seen impressive results across different industries. For example, a PwC study proved the efficacy of immersive learning with results like fourfold increase in learning speed and learners saying they were 275 times more confident after immersive learning training. Learners ranging from Fortune 500 employees to high school-age students benefit from engaging learning experiences.

The industry applied these results to corporate training use cases ranging from practising customer conversations in the insurance industry to helping managers simulate giving performance feedback.

Were on a mission to help people develop the human skills that set us apart as AI and other technologies continue to permeate further into our work lives. We see great opportunities for these very tools to advance that mission.

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CoPilot to Harness AI Speed, Scale, Talespin CEO Says - XR Today

Newswise A method using augmented reality to create accurate visual representations of ionizing radiation, developed at the Department of Energys Oak Ridge National Laboratory, has been licensed byTeletrix, a firm that creates advanced simulation tools to train the nations radiation control workforce.

Ionizing radiation which is linked to cancer and other health problems has enough energy to knock electrons off of atoms or molecules, creating ions. Occupational exposure is a common occurrence for many radiological workers, so any method of decreasing exposure helps to limit overall negative effects and increase worker safety.

In the 1940s, ORNL made pioneering contributions across numerous scientific fields, including radiation protection, said Susan Hubbard, ORNL deputy for science and technology. In our 80th year as an institution, we continue to provide leadership in this area. This technology will allow radiological workers to better understand the environments they work in, enabling a safer and more informed workforce.

At ORNL, the licensed methods were originally used to create thevirtual interaction with physics-enhanced reality, or VIPER, application. Using simulated radiation dataimplemented in a gaming platform, the technology divides a physical space into cubes, each representing a volumetric value of ionizing radiation by dose. A 3D interpolation of these values is then used to create an image of gradient contours that are overlaid on a real-world view through an augmented reality, or AR, headset. As a trainee moves through the space, navigating around the contours, the device calculates real-time, yet simulated, exposure based on the users behavior.

We combined physics-based data with a gaming interface that provides a visual platform to make something invisible look and feel real we took science and cinematography and brought them together, said ORNLs Michael Smith.

In addition to Smith, the development team includes ORNLs Noel Nelson and Douglas Peplow, all of the Nuclear Energy and Fuel Cycle Division; and former ORNL researchers M. Scott Greenwood and Nicholas Thompson. Significant support came from the Nuclear and Radiological Protection Division. The technology began as an exploratory, one-year seed project funded under ORNLs Lab Directed Research and Development program.

When it comes to training with ionizing radiation, augmented reality is a superior and safer solution, Smith said. Our team was at the right place at the right time to develop this technology. There was a synergy of hardware and software maturity coupled with an idea thats been around a long time the need to see ionizing radiation.

Teletrixs simulators for radiological and gas detection training are widely used by utilities, emergency response organizations and government agencies. ORNL has been a longtime customer of the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based small business, which also manufactures its own products.

Our company is solely dedicated to improving radiation training our tagline is Prepare Through Simulation and making that training more realistic, said Jason OConnell, sales and business development manager for Teletrix. We're always looking to innovate training, so we make a lot of new products.

One of Teletrixs products is VIZRAD, a virtual reality software system that simulates contamination on individuals and workspaces. VIZRAD trains a user to properly scan someone with a detector and provides objective feedback on technique.

When I put the AR glasses on, it was obvious that ORNLs technology and Teletrixs tools were a great fit, OConnell said. Through the headset and the AR technology, we have the ability to track a persons exact location within a room and inject source information into the room. It really raises the bar on the precision of the training we can deliver.

Having much more realistic readings on your instruments leads to better-prepared employees, better prepared trainees, fewer incidents this technology will help make people in this industry safer.

Additionally, lowering exposure to ionizing radiation also provides cost benefits to companies, he said.

Smith said the development team envisioned three applications for the ORNL technology, including:

Just by having a general impression of the spatial relationship of your body in a given radiation environment, you can decrease your overall dose based on really fundamental behavioral changes, Smith said. We can't see ionizing radiation, so you just walk right through it. But once you have seen what the radiation in your working environment looks like, you can't unsee it. AR provides a means to train people to have a better visceral understanding of how ionizing radiation behaves.

Performance data collected from about 40 participants supports this hypothesis by showing statistically significant behavioral changes after minimal training with AR representations of radiation fields.

Additionally, the method of coupling AR technologies with accurate radiation measurements has been demonstrated and experimentally validated in a study using cesium-137 in ORNLs Nuclear Radiation Protection Division demonstration facility.

ORNL senior commercialization manager Eugene Cochran negotiated the terms of the license. For more information about ORNLs intellectual property in analytical instrumentation,email ORNL Partnerships, call 865.574.1051 orsubscribe to ORNL invention alerts. To connect with the Teletrix team,email [emailprotected]or call 412.798.3636.

UT-Battelle manages ORNL for the Department of Energys Office of Science, the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States. The Office of Science is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visitenergy.gov/science.

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Teletrix licenses methods for ionizing radiation training using augmented reality - Newswise

Bild: VR Cover

From pressure points to excessive sweating: A set of accessories from VR-Cover aims to alleviate many of the Playstation VR 2s comfort issues.

The PSVR 2 allows for amazing VR graphics, but suffers from comfort issues depending on the shape of your head. Some users have already hacked their way out of the Halo straps poor fit and pressure points. Sweat under the plastic padding can even compromise the VR headsets technology.

A three-piece accessory set from VR Cover is designed to alleviate all these problems without affecting the warranty. Instead of modifying the hardware itself, buyer:ins simply wrap their PSVR 2 with two fabric covers. The two wraparound covers for the front and back padding are said to reduce and absorb sweat.

The two washable covers with Velcro fasteners are each made of two layers of tightly woven cotton to prevent the formation of foam from perspiration.

In the style of other VR headsets, there is also a length-adjustable headband. It attaches to the sides of the halo strap with Velcro and takes some weight and pressure off the front and back of the head. It also relieves pressure on the neck and shoulders, according to the accessory maker. The principle is similar to many other VR headsets with similar top head straps.

The PSVR 2, on the other hand, practically clamps the skull between the front and back air cushions. With the right head shape, such a halo strap can be very comfortable. After all, the VR headset hangs loosely in front of your eyes with no pressure on your face and enough room for your glasses.

But as is often the case, comfort in virtual reality is highly subjective. With Sonys new headband design in particular, some customers complained about an uncomfortable fit and sweat problems.

The three-piece Head Strap Cover Set for PlayStation VR2 has been available in the European VR Cover Store for 29 Euros since May 4 and sold out within a few hours of going on sale. Replenishment is expected to follow early next week. VR Cover recommends interested buyers to try their luck on Monday, May 8th. A second batch is expected then.

For more tips and support, see our PSVR 2 Getting Started Guide.

Note: Links to online stores in articles can be so-called affiliate links. If you buy through this link, MIXED receives a commission from the provider. For you the price does not change.

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PSVR 2 VR Cover accessory kit aims to ease comfort issues - MIXED Reality News

Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) said they are delighted to report that Michael Galbraith, an immersive technology specialist with Arup and a current student of the MSc in Computer Gaming and XR in DkIT, recently delivered a successful presentation at the Meta European HQ office in Dublin in conjunction with Eirmersive.

Michael showcased various virtual reality projects he contributed to as part of the company's Immersive Technology team.

These projects exemplified the potential of immersive technology to transform designs and engage the public with proposed solutions, reflecting the practical applications of the skills he is currently honing through the MSc program at DkIT.

DkIT's MSc in Computer Gaming and XR focuses on developing software engineering skills within 3D game engines and the skillset to model 3D characters and environments with a focus on Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies.

The course equips students with the knowledge and experience needed to excel in the rapidly evolving world of immersive technology.

Michael's presentation at the Meta European HQ office in Dublin serves as a testament to the quality of education provided by DkIT.

As students like Michael continue to grow and achieve success in the immersive technology field, DkIT remains committed to offering innovative educational programs that prepare students for the dynamic developments ahead within this fast-moving pioneering industry.

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Dundalk Institute student presents at virtual reality conference - Louth Live

SINGAPORE A photo of American actor Sylvester Stallone as Rambo sticking up both his thumbs is being used to train the next generation of Home Team officers.

The meme, also known as Thumbs Up Rambo, is a reminder to officers that travellers use both their thumbs to clear biometric scans at immigration.

It is one of several memes being used at the Home Team Academy (HTA) to keep training relevant for younger officers, as well as help them better remember and develop the skills they need.

The memes used to train officers in immigration clearance can be scanned using an app to provide officers more information on how clearance should be done, and also how to spot suspicious characters at checkpoints.

These were unveiled on Tuesday at HTAs workplan seminar, where Second Minister for Home Affairs Josephine Teo also launched the second iteration of the Home Team Learning Management System.

The system, which was first used in 2016, has been enhanced to bring together training, assessment and social collaboration onto one platform.

Artificial intelligence-assisted assessment will also be used.

The plan is for the system to eventually become the primary training platform for more than 68,000 officers across the Home Team.

Mrs Teo said the HTA, as the corporate university in homefront safety and security, plays a crucial role in ensuring Home Team officers are future-ready.

She said: Competency-building through training and learning will enable our officers to tackle emerging and future challenges effectively, and achieve our mission of keeping Singapore and Singaporeans safe and secure.

Read more:

Memes, virtual reality used to train Home Team officers - The Straits Times

PRESS RELEASE

Published May 5, 2023

Factual Market Research has released a report on the global Augmented Reality In Agriculture market, including historical and current growth prospects and trends from 2022-2030. The Report utilizes unique research techniques that combine primary and secondary research to comprehensively analyze the global Augmented Reality In Agriculture market and draw conclusions about its future growth potential. This method helps analysts determine the quality and reliability of the data. The Report offers valuable insights on key market factors, including market trends, growth prospects, and expansion opportunities for the industry.

Augmented Reality (AR) technology is becoming increasingly prevalent in agriculture. AR in agriculture involves using digital images, video, or sound to enhance the real-world environment and provide farmers with valuable insights and information.

Market Dynamics:

Drivers and Restraints:

The Augmented Reality In Agriculture Market is being driven by several factors, including the increasing demand for precision agriculture, the need to optimize farming processes and reduce waste, and the growing adoption of smart farming technologies. AR technology can help farmers to make more informed decisions about planting, watering, and harvesting crops, as well as detect and treat plant diseases and pests more effectively.

Moreover, the use of AR in agriculture can improve worker safety by providing real-time data and alerts about potential hazards and risks. Additionally, the increasing availability of affordable AR devices such as smartphones and tablets is making this technology more accessible to farmers and agricultural workers.

However, some factors are restraining the growth of the AR in agriculture market. These include the limited adoption of advanced technologies by small-scale farmers, the lack of standardized practices and regulations for using AR in agriculture, and the high costs associated with implementing AR systems.

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Key players:

Market Segmentation:

Augmented Reality in Agriculture Market, By Type

Augmented Reality In Agriculture Market, By End-User

Augmented Reality In Agriculture Market, By Application

Augmented Reality In Agriculture Market, By Region

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Market Trends:

Some of the key trends in the augmented reality in agriculture market include the development of new and innovative AR applications for farming, integrating AR with other smart farming technologies such as drones and sensors, and using AR in training and education programs for farmers and agricultural workers.

Another emerging trend is the use of AR to create virtual simulations of farming environments, which can help farmers test different strategies and scenarios safely and in a controlled manner. In addition, the increasing use of AR to improve the traceability and transparency of the agricultural supply chain is also driving the growth of augmented reality in the agriculture market.

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The Report covers the following key elements:

Table of Contents: Augmented Reality In Agriculture Market

Chapter 1: Introduction to Augmented Reality In Agriculture Market

Chapter 2: Analysis of Market Drivers

Chapter 3: Global Market Status and Regional Forecast

Chapter 4: Global Market Status and Forecast by Types

Chapter 5: Competition Status among Major Manufacturers

Chapter 6: Introduction and Market Data of Major Manufacturers

Chapter 7: Upstream and Downstream Analysis

Chapter 8: PESTEL, SWOT, and PORTER 5 Forces Analysis

Chapter 9: Cost Analysis and Gross Margin

Chapter 10: Sales Channels, Distributors, Traders, and Dealers

Chapter 11: Analysis of Marketing Status

Chapter 12: Conclusion of Market Report

Chapter 13: Methodology and References for Augmented Reality In Agriculture Market Research

Chapter 14: Appendix

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Factual Market Research is a leading provider of comprehensive industry research that provides clients with actionable intelligence to answer their research questions. Our expertise covers over 20 industries, and we provide customized syndicated and consulting research services to cater to our clients specific requirements. Our focus is on delivering high-quality Market Research Reports and Business Intelligence Solutions that enable clients to make informed decisions and achieve long-term success in their respective market niches. Additionally, FMR offers business insights and consulting services to further support our clients.

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The Global Augmented Reality In Agriculture Market to register ... - Digital Journal

Specimen preparation

Whole cadaveric heads were prepared with bilateral curvilinear post-auricular incisions with elevation of a soft tissue flap for exposure of the zygomatic root, posterior external auditory canal, and the mastoid tip. Eight 2mm bone wells were drilled outside of the surgical field to act as fiducial references for eventual image guidance calibration within the experimental arm. Areas of placement included the zygomatic root, bony external auditory canal, and the mastoid tip.

Using a prototype intraoperative cone-beam computed tomography scanner (Powermobil, Siemens, Germany), the cadaver heads were obtained, with an isotropic voxel size of 0.78mm12. Scans were evaluated for abnormal anatomy or evidence of previous surgery. Both the O-OSI and BB-FMT devices were imaged for surgical modelling by creating the virtual rendering of hearing device for projecting the overlay during the procedure. Materialise Mimics Medical 19.0 (Materialise NV, Belgium) was used to identify optimal placement of the devices with creation of virtual heads rendered from CT imaging using pre-set bony segmentation sequencing.

Implants were imported into Materalise Mimics as optimized triangulated surface meshes that moved independently from the bone. The experimental design is outlined in Fig.1. Each surgeons pre-operative planning included placement of four O-OSI devices and four BB-FMT devices in two separate sessions. Bone depth and avoidance of critical structures, such as the sigmoid sinus were major factors. O-OSIs were placed within the mastoid and clearance around the implant was ensured to avoid inadvertent contact with underlying bone. The three possible placements of the BB-FMTs included the mastoid, retrosigmoid, and middle fossa areas. Each surgeon underwent a brief 10-min session with surgical manuals to review optimal surgical technique for both implants. Each planning session lasted five minutes to allow for surgeons to guide exact placement.

Study protocol (CBCT cone beam computed tomography, O-OSI Osia osseointegrated implant steady-state implant, BB-FMT BoneBridge floating mass transducer).

Implantation followed a standardized protocol beginning with the control arm followed by the experimental AR arm (Fig.1). Within the control arm, surgeons utilized Materialise Mimics built-in measurement tool for eventual intraoperative reference during implant placement. Whereas in the experimental arm, device placement was projected onto the surgical field using GTx-Eyes (Guided Therapeutics, TECHNA Institute, Canada) via a PicoPro projector (Cellon Inc., South Korea)7,11. The AR setup is demonstrated in Fig.2 and seen in the supplementary video.

Integrated augmented reality surgical navigation system. (A) the projector and surgical instruments were trackedwith the optical tracker in reference to the registered fiducials on the cadaveric head. Optical tracking markers attached to the projector allows for real-time adjustments to image projection. The surgical navigation platform displaying a pre-operatively placed implant. Experimental AR projection arm setup. (B) Surgeons were encouraged to align the projector to their perspective to reduce parallax.

Following implant placement, CT scans were obtained of the cadaveric heads to capture the location of implantation for eventual 3D coordinates measurement analysis. Each surgeon performed four O-OSI placements followed by four BB-FMTs.

The integrated AR surgical navigation system consists of a PicoPro projector (Cellon Inc., South Korea), a Polaris Spectra stereoscopic infrared optical tracker (NDI, Canada), a USB 2.0-megapixel camera (ICAN, China), and a standard computer. A 3D printed PicoPro projector enclosure enabled the attachment of four tracking markers, which provide real-time three-dimensional tracking information (Fig.2). GTx-Eyes (Guided Therapeutics, TECHNA Institute, Canada) is a surgical navigation platform that utilizes open-source, cross-platform libraries included IGSTK, ITK, and VTK11,13,14,15,16. The developed AR system has demonstrated the projection accuracy at 0.550.33mm and has been widely adapted to the domains of Otolaryngologic and Orthopedic oncologic operations17,18,19,20. Recently, the software has evolved to include AR integration7,9.

The AR system requires two calibrations: (1) camera and instrument tracker, (2) camera and projector, which are both are outlined by Chan et al.9,11. The result allows the tracked tool to be linked with the projectors spatial parameters allowing for both translation and rotational movements.

The camera and tracking tool calibration defines the relationship between the cameras center and the tracking tool coordinates by creating a homogeneous transformation matrix, ({{}^{Tracker}T}_{Cam}), consisting of a 33 rotational matrix (R) and a 31 translational vector (t). The rotational parameter was represented with Euler angles (({R}_{x},{R}_{y},{R}_{z})). This calibration process requires photographing a known checkerboard pattern from various perspectives using the camera that is affixed to the projectors case. The instrument trackers position and orientation are recorded to compute the spatial transformation. The grid dimensions from each photograph are compared with actual dimensions (30mm 30mm in a 97 array) using an open-source Matlab camera calibration tool21. This calibration serves as the extrinsic parameter of the camera.

The intrinsic parameters (A) of the camera include the principal point (({u}_{0,}{v}_{0})), scale factors ((alpha , beta ),mathrm{ and the skew of the two image axes }left(cright))22,23,24. This is denoted as:

$$mathbf{A}=left[begin{array}{ccc}alpha & c& {u}_{0}\ 0& beta & {v}_{0}\ 0& 0& 1end{array}right]$$

When combining the extrinsic (R t) with intrinsic (A) parameters, three-dimensional space (({mathbf{M}=[X,Y,Z,1]}^{T})) can be mapped to a two-dimensional camera image (({mathbf{m}=[u,v,1]}^{T})). s is defined as the scale factors. This is represented by: (smathbf{m}=mathbf{A}left[mathbf{R} mathbf{t}right]mathbf{M}.)

This link defines the spatial relationship between the cameras centre and the projector to create a homogenous transformation matrix (({{}^{Cam}T}_{Proj})). A two-dimensional checkerboard image is projected onto a planar checkerboard surface, which was used in the previous calibration step. The camera captures both images from various perspectives. Using the projector-camera calibration toolbox, the transformation of the camera and projector (({{}^{Cam}T}_{Proj})) is now established25. The calibration requires linking the camera and the projector tracking markers, both of which are mounted on the projector enclosure (Fig.2). By combining both calibration processes, the resulting transformation matrix from the AR projector to the tracking marker is denoted by ({{}^{Tracker}T}_{Proj}={{}^{Tracker}T}_{Cam}*{{}^{Cam}T}_{Proj}) .

AR projection setup required confirmation of projection adequacy using an image guidance probe and a Polaris Spectra NDI (Fig.2). Using the image guidance probe, coordinates from the bony fiducials (drilled bone well) and the projected fiducials (green dots) were captured. The difference between coordinates served as the measurement of projection accuracy (Fig.3).

(A) Fiducials projection onto the surgical field was matched to the drilled wells and (B) subsequent accuracy measurements were obtained with a tracking pointer tool placed within the drilled wells where x-, y-, and z- coordinates were captured.

Post-operative and pre-operative scans were superimposed on Materialise Mimics and centre-to-centre distances as well as angular differences on the axial plane were measured (Figs.4, 5). For O-OSI placements, the centre of the O-OSI was used, whereas the centre of the FMT for BB-FMT.

Accuracy measurements for center-to-center distances and angular accuracy.

Post-operative CT scans (A) BB-FMT and (B) O-OSI following AR projector guided surgery with paired pre-operative planning rendering seen in (C) and (D). In images (A) and (B), there is the pre-operative planning outline superimposed. The blue arrow denotes post- operative placement whereas the red arrow denotes pre-operative planning.

All participants completed a NASA Task Load Index (TLX) questionnaire assessing the use of AR in addition to providing feedback in an open-ended questionnaire26. TLX results were used to generate raw TLX (RTLX) scores for the six domains and subsequently weighted workload scores were generated27.

Continuous data was examined for normality by reviewing histograms, quantilequantile plots, and the ShapiroWilk test for normality. Given the lack of normality and repeated measurements, Wilcoxon signed-rank testing was used for centre-to-centre (C-C) and angular accuracies comparisons between the control and experimental arms. All analyses were performed using SPSS 26 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY).

All methods were carried out in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations. This study was approved by the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre Research Ethics Board (Project Identification Number: 3541). Informed consent was obtained from all subjects and/or their legal guardian(s) by way of the University of Torontos Division of AnatomyBody Donation Program. All subjects provided consent in the publication of identifying images in an online open-access publication.

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Using augmented reality to guide bone conduction device ... - Nature.com

Freelance Creative Director Bob Bjarke, formerly of Meta, shared an amusing new mixed reality concept on Twitter centered around discovering new music and creating playlists with virtual records.

Bjarke shared footage of Wreckommendation Engine, a prototype experience he created during the Meta Quest Presence Platform Hackathon last week with Unity developers @RJdoesVR and Jeremy Kesten, 3D artist and prototype Joe Kane and immersive sound designer David Urrutia.

Wreckommendation Engine presents users with a virtual record player and crate of records, positioned on a real life surface using mixed reality passthrough on Quest Pro. The user can grab records out of the crate and listen to them by placing them on the turntable. If you like the music, you can throw it against a designated nearby wall to save it. If you hate it, you can throw it against a different wall to smash it into pieces.

If you smash too many tracks, they will eventually come back to life as a killer robot made up of vintage electronics and hi-fi equipment. You can destroy it by throwing more records at it.

The experience integrates with Spotify and uses its API to present you with new tracks, take note of your preferences and compile your saved tracks into a playlist for later.

This is just a proof-of-concept prototype and a bit of fun, so its unlikely to ever see the light of day for Quest users. Nonetheless, its an amusing concept and a cool way to bring more physicality into music discovery in the age of streaming. In a follow-up tweet, Bjarke said that they wanted to use the immersive tools of mixed reality to make a more fun and social music experience, given that formerly social activities like making mixtapes and burning CDs are now algorithmic utilities, done along on a 2D screen.

Originally posted here:

Mixed Reality Music Prototype Turns Spotify Into Vinyl - UploadVR