Big XR News from the XR Awards ’24, Google, HP, and Spatial

The XR sector continues its steady march forward with recent announcements.

This week’s news highlights progress on multiple fronts, including hardware advancements and the implementation of XR solutions across diverse industries. Let’s explore the key developments shaping immersive experiences’ future.

Significant events are upcoming, and new solutions will soon follow. The industry is constantly ticking; stay tuned to learn the latest insights.

XR Awards 2024 is Coming Soon

XR Today invites the extensive immersive industry to join the XR Awards 2024, an annual online showcase event broadcast live on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 4 PM BST/11 AM EST.

The XR Awards are an excellent opportunity to learn about the firms leading business transformation with immersive technology. The event will feature approximately 36 unique finalists, showcasing the best in the enterprise XR industry across categories such as Best Virtual Reality Solution, Best Enterprise/Industrial Metaverse Solution, and Best Training Solution.

In previous years, esteemed companies such as HTC-Vive, Pfizer Global Supply, Qualcomm, RealWear, and TeamViewer have shared their success stories with XR Today’s global audience.

The XR Awards 2024 has assembled a panel of judges from various sectors within the AR/VR/MR industry who will choose the finalists and winners, representing markets including manufacturing, education, and advertising.

Google Announces International AR Pilot Programme

During Google I/O 2024, a developer-focused product showcase, the company unveiled new Geospatial Creator AR tools to enhance location-based immersive experiences.

Among the various announcements covering technologies like AI, ML, and more, Google revealed an AR pilot program established in partnership with different brands and firms to demonstrate how location-based immersive experiences can bring value to brands and the tourism sector.

By enhancing its existing ARCore, Geospatial Creator, and Photorealistic 3D Tiles, the company can support sophisticated immersive content that meets the expectations of significant brands. Google also integrates its Maps application to enable smartphone users to access AR content through integrated services such as Street View and Lens.

Specific map locations now have an “AR Experience” option, allowing smartphone users to point their cameras at a location and view related AR animations and assets. The AR Maps feature also supports deep link URLs or QR codes on social media, enabling people to view immersive visuals.

Google, HP Launches XR Video Conferencing Solution

HP has partnered with Google to bring back Google’s immersive video conferencing solution, Project Starline, which was in its development stages, just in time for I/O 2024.

Initially announced at the 2021 I/O conference, the device has undergone several years of development. HP is now working with Google to fully commercialize the product, aiming for a market debut in 2025.

Project Starline aims to enhance remote conversations by displaying a 3D image of a co-worker on a screen, realistically portraying depth and movement. It tracks the caller’s positioning and creates corresponding animations on display by tracking head and eye positions.

The companies plan to sell the product as a hybrid working tool. HP’s expertise in distributing enterprise-grade solutions such as unified communications and audiovisual technology will enable Google to sell Starline products worldwide.

According to Google, the company has conducted “thousands of hours of testing” internally and with partners to enhance the Starline product in research and development environments.

Google found that Starline improved attentiveness, memory recall, and the overall sense of presence during video conferencing sessions, allowing remote teams to feel like they were in the same room.

By partnering with HP, Google can leverage HP’s commercialization skills and integrate standard video conferencing services, including Google Meet and Zoom.

Previously, Google ran an early access program that tested Starline with various enterprise end-users, including Salesforce, T-Mobile, and WeWork.

Official Welsh Tourism Division Debut Metaverse Platform

The official Welsh government tourism board has launched a browser-based Metaverse experience to promote the region’s cultural destinations ahead of travellers’ journeys. According to the Welsh Tourism Board, this is the first time a UK or European country has used shared immersive spaces to promote tourism.

The Welsh Metaverse is powered by Spatial, a platform provider, and is designed to be highly accessible to people who may not be familiar with Metaverse platforms.

Using Spatial’s framework, Welsh officials can offer a browser-based experience that can be accessed on a smartphone, tablet, laptop, computer, or Meta Quest headset.

Potential tourists can open the spatial portal on a desktop or laptop. Those seeking a more immersive experience can access the service via a supported headset-based browser application.