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NEWS
►Vrgineers selected by Lockheed Martin to participate in F-35 pilot training project for Czech Air Force. Vrgineers, a provider of next-generation virtual and mixed reality (VR/MR) pilot training systems, has recently announced that it has been selected by Lockheed Martin to participate in a pilot training industrial cooperation project for the F-35 fighter jet as part of an initiative to supply the Czech Republic with two squadrons of fifth Generation jet fighters. As part of the strategic partnership, Vrgineers will be responsible for the development and delivery of unclassified next generation training simulators, specifically tailored to support Czech pilots. The company’s XTAL device comes with an extreme 180° field of view (FoV) made up of two 4K resolution displays and can be used in combination with physical simulator setups for enhanced immersion and realism.
► Through Astronaut Eyes, Virtual Reality Propels Gateway Forward . NASA astronauts are using virtual reality to explore Gateway (lunar space station). When they slip on their headsets, they're not just seeing the station—they're in it, meticulously surveying every detail and offering crucial insights on design and functionality. During VR testing, astronauts engage in a variety of tasks that they expect to encounter in their day-to-day life on Gateway during real Artemis missions, including performing science experiments, retrieving supplies, and preparing warm meals. By combining VR models with real-world astronaut experience, NASA designers can make tweaks to Gateway’s interior design for a safer and comfier space station.
►Virtual Reality in Education: A Powerful Tool for Exploring Climate Change. According to a recent study published in the journal of The Adirondack Journal of Environmental Studies, immersive technology such as virtual reality can help improve the attention span and interest of students in engaging with climate change. The study by researchers at Paul Smith College used VR to simulate a local virtual forest trail in Unreal Engine 4 that utilized pedagogical experiences. Students were put into focus groups and given headsets to experience the impact of how environments can change through slight temperature increases. Researchers found that the study was effective, enabling students to understand climate change and its impacts better. Thus, making virtual reality an effective tool for communicating climate ideas.
►Osso Health Medical Training App Launches For Apple Vision Pro. Osso VR, the leader in immersive procedural training, announces the launch of Osso Health, a medical training app on Apple Vision Pro. The Osso Health app currently lets users engage with surgical workflows for two common orthopedic procedures: Carpal Tunnel Release and Total Knee Replacement. The user can walk through the key steps of each procedure using Apple Vision Pro’s novel approach to spatial computing. Spatial computing has opened up new possibilities for medical professionals to explore complicated medical procedures in a secure, controlled, and real-world setting.
► AI Tool Creates Digital Twin of Infant Biome. Researchers from the University of Chicago and Weill Cornell Medicine have developed a digital twin of an infant biome via an AI tool named Q-net. The AI can create a digital twin of the biome, enabling researchers to understand how microbiomes develop and interact with one another. Due to the time-saving nature of digital twins, Q-net speeds up the process of studying these interactions, which would otherwise be time-consuming within a lab. The result is that Q-net can predict potential defects within infants with 76% accuracy that may harm development at increased rates.
►Youtube VR now supports 8K playback on Quest 3. If you own a Meta Quest 3, you can now enjoy 8K resolution video at 60 frames per second in the Youtube VR app. Version 1.54 of YouTube VR introduces support for 8K video playback, but only on Quest 3. If you have version 1.54 or higher installed, you can select the "4320p" or "4320p60" option for videos that support that resolution.
►Pimax introduces new Crystal Super & Crystal Light VR headsets. Pimax unveiled two new VR headsets at the Frontier 2024 event: the Crystal Super with the world's first swappable optical engine and the budget-friendly Crystal Light.
PERSPECTIVE
► Meta Quest's lying down mode is a game changer for me. My Quest 3 finally received the lying down mode. Here's why I love this feature and what problems it can cause.
►Seeing Is Believing: How Virtual Twins Are Making Digital Twin Technology A Reality. Over the last decade, the concept of a digital twin has both excited and perplexed the technology landscape. With digital twins, the potential to fundamentally transform many industries has left enterprises vying to take this technology from concept to reality.
