The XR Weekly Digest (November 19, 2024): Meta Introduces Project Aria Research Kits, Surge in Chinese Smartglasses, and More!

Greetings from Finland! Crafting this newsletter while traveling from Helsinki to the enchanting Lapland has been a pleasure. My Finnish journey has been quite a treat, from meeting the legendary Santa Claus to petting gentle reindeers and savoring local delicacies. Soon, I’ll dive into the excitement of MatchXR, a noteworthy event in Nordic Europe’s XR scene, and I’ll share more about it with you shortly. Before diving into this week’s news, I want to dedicate this issue to Daniel Dyboski-Bryant, who recently passed away. I had the good fortune of meeting Daniel several times, both in person at AWE US and virtually during events on ENGAGE. He was incredibly kind and passionate about leveraging VR for educational and humanitarian advancement. His presence will be greatly missed, and his legacy will continue to inspire all who knew him. Farewell, Daniel. Your light will keep shining through our work.

Top News This Week

Meta Opens Applications for Project Aria Research Kits

A while back, Meta introduced Project Aria, a groundbreaking initiative with glasses rich in sensors like cameras and microphones. These weren’t your typical AR glasses—they were display-free and used mainly by Meta’s team and partners for behavior research. By understanding user interactions, Meta could gather key data essential for improving AI/ML systems in future AR devices. While initially for internal use, the landscape shifted this week as Meta announced that Project Aria Research Kits are now open for applications. Research institutions from universities or corporations can apply to obtain these kits. Chosen projects will receive not just the glasses, but a comprehensive development setup including a companion app, an SDK, and cloud services for storage and advanced features like environment reconstruction and privacy filters. Meta’s dedicated webpage showcases inspiring case studies from notable universities like Bristol, Iowa, and Carnegie Mellon, highlighting projects that span accessibility solutions to learning innovations. If you’re at a research center, this could be a fantastic chance to delve into pioneering AR research.

More Info

Other Headlines Worth Knowing

A New Wave of Smartglasses from China and Beyond

The smart glasses market has been buzzing, with the Ray-Ban Meta setting a trend that’s hard to ignore. Just this week, three different AI-powered smart glasses emerged from China. According to a report by 36kr, Xiaomi is rumored to be working on a competitor to Ray-Ban Meta smartglasses. This isn’t surprising given Xiaomi’s past sketches in wearable tech, and it’s expected these glasses might officially appear by Q2 2025. Baidu jumped into the fray with Xiaodu AI Glasses, boasting impressive features like a 16MP camera with AI stabilization and open-ear speakers—slated to launch by mid-2025. Additionally, AR giant Rokid unveiled its own entry, a collaboration with fashion brand BOLON, hinting at broader cooperative possibilities within the EssilorLuxottica ecosystem. Meanwhile, Amazon appears to be cooking up its "Amelia" glasses for internal use to aid its drivers in precise delivery routes—a development poised for Q2 2026. This flurry of activity marks a vibrant path ahead for smartglasses innovation.

More Info: Xiaomi, Baidu, Rokid, Amazon glasses

Meta for Education Lands in Beta

Recently, Meta unveiled the Beta launch of Meta For Education, an initiative aimed at universities using Quest headsets. This program streamlines educational content and device management for campus tech users, initially teased as an opportunity for educators to seamlessly access educational apps and manage multiple devices at once. Being piloted by institutions like Arizona State University and University of Miami, Meta is actively refining this program based on their feedback, promising a robust release this winter tailored to educational environments. Not stopping there, Meta has partnered with VictoryXR to create "metaversities"—digital twins of real-life campuses—in European universities, enabling immersive learning experiences. This strategic focus on education not only opens revenue channels for Meta but also fosters early adoption of XR technology among students.

More Info: Meta for Education, Meta creating metaversities

Meta Teases Orion Operating System

Meta recently dropped a video showcasing potential UI designs for its Orion glasses. With AR being an entirely fresh domain, these experimental UIs indicate Meta’s intent to determine the best user interface suitable for such devices, unlike current VR or MR interfaces. Developer Alex Coulombe, who had firsthand experience with Orion during Meta Connect, vouched for the authenticity of the designs shown in the video.

More Info

News Worth Highlighting

bHaptics Updates Its Device Range

Korean innovator bHaptics, notable for XR haptic vests, has refreshed its lineup:

• TactSuit Pro: The flagship haptic vest offering intense feedback ($499).
• TactSuit Air: A more accessible version with fewer haptic points ($249).
• TactSleeve: Bound to arms for immersive tactile experience ($199).

Preorders are running through November 26, and with cross-compatibility across VR platforms, these gadgets promise to enhance your virtual adventures.

More Info: bHaptics devices, Launch trailer

Horizon Worlds Introduces Its Currency

Get ready, as Horizon Worlds starts rolling out Meta Credits, its internal currency, in select areas. This crucial development fosters a vibrant ecosystem where creators can monetize their efforts through digital goods, shaping the economic framework of this social platform.

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Ekto VR Brings First Shoes to Market

After extensive R&D, Ekto VR is finally shipping its Genesis shoes, crafted for VR walking experiences. Renowned for their innovation, only 10 units are available initially, priced between $2000–3000, scheduled for March 2025.

More Info

MeRCURY Diving Mask Launches on IndieGoGo

MeRCURY showcases an XR headset optimized for underwater VR experiences, arguably a niche albeit visionary pursuit. Now available on IndieGoGo with pricing starting at €1250, it seems tailored for business applications.

More Info: IndieGoGo, Trailer

Apple Unleashes New Immersive Videos

Apple drops two immersive offerings:

• The Weeknd’s music video for "Open Hearts."
• A fresh installment in the ‘Concert For One’ series featuring singer Raye.

More Info: Open Hearts, Raye

Content Insights and Updates

• Ember Souls, a VR homage to Prince of Persia, sets its launch for November 21 on Quest for $25.
• Gadgeteer gets a mixed reality boost on Quest devices.
• Beat Saber’s highly-anticipated Monstercat Mixtape 2 is now available.
• Clone Drone in the Hyperdome, a VR sequel, prelaunched at $20.
• Gears & Goo, a tower defense game, heads to Vision Pro next year.
• Spatial Ops, a mixed reality laser tag game, launches for $20.
• Little Cities: Diorama, a scaled-down management sim, drops on Vision Pro via Apple Arcade by December 5.
• Exercise Your Demons, a quirky mixed reality fitness game, emerges December 12 for $20.
• Last Stand, a PvP shooter, enters early access on Quest.
• Starship Troopers: Continuum, a co-op shooter, lands on Quest for €18.
• Boxing Underdog marks its territory on Quest this month.

For complete roundups, check out XR News Bits and XR News Round-Up.

More Info: Ember Souls, Gadgeteer, Beat Saber, Clone Drone, Gears & Goo, Spatial Ops, Little Cities, Exercise Your Demons, Last Stand, Starship Troopers: Continuum, Boxing Underdog, XR News Bits, XR News Roundup

Content Reviews

• Triangle Strategy by Square Enix adapts well to XR but remains too aligned with its flatscreen roots.
• DIG VR amplifies quaint British comedy within its vibrant world, albeit minor execution snags persist.
• EXOcars navigates fun and realism seamlessly, delivering an engaging VR race adventure.

More Info: Triangle Strategy, DIG VR, EXOcars

More News Highlights

• Sony discontinues a PSVR adapter
• Pico releases intriguing Pico OS update
• Apple Final Cut Pro enables Spatial Video editing
• Wired uncovers child-centric Meta Horizon Worlds
• Quixel offers free megascans assets on FAB
• Vive Ultimate Tracker supports 3rd party headsets
• Niantic reveals Spatial Platform, ambiguously teasing interaction enhancements

Learn more on each through the provided links.

From Our Partners and Friends

Exciting opportunities abound!

• The XR Design Challenge invites you to unleash creativity with a generous $10,000 prize pool. Participate for free starting December 2!
• Story bridges media creation on Vision Pro within an intuitive interface. Dive into the world of spatial content with ease.

Want to advertise on this blog? Reach the XR community with your innovative product! Discover the advertisement services offered.

Some XR Fun

Check out this hilarious PCVR Funny link for a chuckle.

Help for a Good Cause

In closing, I urge you once more to consider assisting those affected by ongoing conflicts. Your donations to organizations like the Red Cross are crucial in easing the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. Thank you to all my Patreon supporters; your contributions are deeply valued. Here’s to making a positive impact.

Support The Red Cross in Ukraine

(Header image by Meta)

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