Emerging Technologies / Extended reality (AR-VR-MR)

Weekly Emerging Technologies / Extended reality (AR-VR-MR) Insights

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AR/VR headset market reaching ‘critical tipping point’

AR/VR headset market reaching ‘critical tipping point’

Recent research highlights a significant 18.1% year-on-year growth in the immersive technologies market, driven by demand for versatile experiences. Future expansion is expected to be propelled by advancements in mixed and extended reality, promising exciting developments ahead.


What is meant by the 'critical tipping point' in the AR/VR headset market?
The 'critical tipping point' refers to a significant shift in the AR/VR headset market where traditional pure VR and AR devices are expected to decline, while mixed reality (MR) and extended reality (ER) headsets gain strong traction. This transition is driven by new entrants like Apple and the adoption of platforms such as Google's Android XR, which are expanding the market and diversifying the types of immersive experiences available.
Sources: [1]
What factors are driving the projected growth in the AR/VR headset market through 2029?
The growth is propelled by advancements in mixed reality (MR) and extended reality (ER) technologies, increased demand for versatile immersive experiences, and the introduction of new platforms like Google's Android XR. Despite a forecasted shipment decline in 2025 due to delayed product launches, the market is expected to rebound strongly in 2026 and grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 38.6% from 2025 to 2029.
Sources: [1], [2]

20 June, 2025
ComputerWeekly.com

OpenXR Spatial Entities Extensions Standardize Surfaces, Markers, Anchors & Persistence

OpenXR Spatial Entities Extensions Standardize Surfaces, Markers, Anchors & Persistence

The newly introduced OpenXR Spatial Entities Extensions aim to standardize environmental tracking in AR/VR/MR applications, enhancing interoperability across devices. Supported by major industry players, these extensions promise to revolutionize spatial computing and foster innovation in immersive experiences.


What are OpenXR Spatial Entities Extensions and why are they important for AR/VR/MR applications?
OpenXR Spatial Entities Extensions are a set of standardized APIs developed by the Khronos Group and the OpenXR Working Group to enable consistent detection, tracking, and persistence of spatial features such as surfaces, markers, and anchors across different XR (extended reality) platforms. They provide a foundational framework that allows developers to create interoperable and persistent spatial experiences that work seamlessly across a wide range of devices, reducing fragmentation and development complexity in AR/VR/MR applications.
Sources: [1], [2], [3]
How do the Spatial Entities Extensions improve interoperability and persistence in spatial computing?
The Spatial Entities Extensions introduce standardized support for spatial anchors, plane and marker tracking, and cross-session persistence, which means virtual content can be precisely positioned and remain stable relative to the physical environment across different XR sessions and devices. This standardization enables different hardware and software platforms to share spatial data and maintain consistent user experiences, fostering innovation and reducing the need for device-specific development.
Sources: [1], [2]

17 June, 2025
UploadVR

AWE 2025 Preview: 4 Companies Building XR’s Future

AWE 2025 Preview: 4 Companies Building XR’s Future

AWE USA 2025, a premier XR conference, begins June 10-12 in Long Beach, CA. The event will feature innovative showcases from CREAL, XREAL, ForgeFX, and PICO, highlighting advancements in display technology, AR glasses, training platforms, and mixed reality headsets.


What is the venue for AWE USA 2025?
The event will be held at the Long Beach Convention Center, located at 300 East Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90802.
Sources: [1]
What kind of attire is recommended for AWE USA 2025?
The event attire is casual.
Sources: [1]

06 June, 2025
Road to VR

EU approves first mixed reality flight simulator for pilot training

EU approves first mixed reality flight simulator for pilot training

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has certified Varjo's XR-4 mixed reality headset for civil aviation training, marking a significant advancement in pilot education by integrating digital environments with physical cockpits. This innovation could transform pilot training methodologies.


What is the significance of Varjo's XR-4 mixed reality headset in pilot training?
Varjo's XR-4 mixed reality headset is significant because it integrates digital environments with physical cockpits, allowing pilots to interact with real controls while experiencing simulated scenarios. This technology enhances realism and effectiveness in training, potentially transforming pilot education by providing immersive and cost-efficient training scenarios.
Sources: [1]
How does the mixed reality technology in Varjo's XR-4 headset enhance pilot training?
The mixed reality technology in Varjo's XR-4 headset enhances pilot training by blending digital environments with the physical cockpit, allowing pilots to interact with real controls while experiencing simulated scenarios. Features like eye-tracking enable instructors to monitor trainees' reactions during high-stress scenarios, improving the effectiveness of training.
Sources: [1]

04 June, 2025
The Next Web

VR is Fundamental to Our Augmented Future, Says One of the Industry’s Most Successful VR Studios

VR is Fundamental to Our Augmented Future, Says One of the Industry’s Most Successful VR Studios

Denny Unger, CEO of Cloudhead Games, emphasizes the importance of preserving VR's unique talents and techniques as the industry shifts towards XR. He warns that without investment in VR studios, the future of immersive technology may be jeopardized.


No insights available for this article

03 June, 2025
Road to VR

Xreal's Project Aura is the second official Android XR headset

Xreal's Project Aura is the second official Android XR headset

Google and Xreal have introduced Project Aura, a lightweight pair of tethered glasses powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon processor. Designed for developers, these glasses aim to enhance the Android XR ecosystem with innovative applications and immersive experiences. More details will emerge at AWE 2025.


What is the significance of Project Aura being the second official Android XR headset?
Project Aura is significant because it is only the second device to run Google's Android XR operating system, following Samsung's Project Moohan. This marks a key step in expanding the Android XR ecosystem, encouraging developers to create innovative applications and immersive experiences for this emerging platform. The partnership between Google, Xreal, and Qualcomm highlights a strategic effort to compete with other XR platforms like Meta and Apple by offering lightweight, tethered smart glasses optimized for spatial computing.
Sources: [1]
What are the technical features that distinguish Project Aura from other XR devices?
Project Aura features optical see-through (OST) lenses and is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon XR chips, which are specifically designed for XR hardware. It supports six degrees of freedom (6DoF) viewing enabled by three cameras, allowing for more immersive spatial experiences compared to devices with only three degrees of freedom (3DoF). The glasses are lightweight and tethered, focusing on portability and connection to other hardware for processing, contrasting with bulkier standalone headsets like Apple's Vision Pro.
Sources: [1], [2]

20 May, 2025
Engadget

Beyond gaming: 2024’s biggest XR innovations across industries

Beyond gaming: 2024’s biggest XR innovations across industries

In 2024, extended reality (XR) technology is revolutionizing industries by enhancing operations and customer experiences. From automotive design to healthcare, XR is becoming essential for innovation, efficiency, and engagement, with significant market growth anticipated by 2032.


What is extended reality (XR) and how does it differ from virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR)?
Extended reality (XR) is an umbrella term that encompasses virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR). XR integrates these technologies to create immersive digital experiences that blend or replace the physical world. VR fully immerses users in a virtual environment, AR overlays digital content onto the real world, and MR allows interaction between real and virtual objects. XR’s broader scope enables its application across various industries beyond gaming, such as healthcare, automotive design, and real estate.
Sources: [1], [2]
How is XR technology transforming industries outside of gaming in 2024?
In 2024, XR technology is revolutionizing industries by enhancing operations and customer experiences. In healthcare, XR improves diagnostic accuracy with 3D medical imaging and enables immersive surgical training. In automotive and design sectors, XR allows professionals to visualize and interact with 3D models at full scale, improving creativity and reducing costly revisions. Real estate uses XR for virtual property tours and design visualization, speeding up decision-making. The tourism and hospitality industries employ XR to offer virtual destination previews, increasing customer engagement. Overall, XR fosters innovation, efficiency, and remote collaboration across multiple sectors.
Sources: [1], [2], [3]

16 December, 2024
Unity Blog

Industry trends 2025: immersive tech is changing the game

Industry trends 2025: immersive tech is changing the game

Immersive technologies like VR, AR, and MR are revolutionizing industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, and retail, driving significant growth. The Unity Industry Trends Report highlights how these tools enhance collaboration, training, and customer engagement, reshaping business operations for the future.


What are immersive technologies like VR, AR, and MR, and how do they differ?
Immersive technologies include Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR). VR creates a fully digital environment that replaces the real world, AR overlays digital content onto the real world, and MR blends real and virtual worlds allowing interaction with both simultaneously. These technologies are used to enhance collaboration, training, and customer engagement across industries.
Sources: [1]
How are immersive technologies transforming industries like healthcare, manufacturing, and retail?
Immersive technologies are revolutionizing these industries by improving operational efficiency, enhancing training programs, and enabling better customer engagement. For example, in healthcare, VR and AR assist in medical training and patient treatment; in manufacturing, they improve design visualization and troubleshooting; and in retail, they create interactive shopping experiences. These tools are reshaping business operations and driving significant growth.
Sources: [1], [2]

09 December, 2024
Unity Blog

Context is everything: Cross-domain data mapping for augmented reality

Context is everything: Cross-domain data mapping for augmented reality

AI is revolutionizing augmented reality (AR) by enhancing context understanding across physical, virtual, and human domains. This integration enables more intuitive interactions and solutions, paving the way for innovative applications in various industries, as highlighted by the authors.


What are the different domains involved in cross-domain data mapping for augmented reality?
Cross-domain data mapping in augmented reality involves three main domains: the physical domain, which includes real-world parameters like geographical position, environment scans, and object locations; the virtual domain, which contains data correlated with real-world locations such as metadata or environmental data; and the human domain, which involves human context such as gestures or language that provide meaning to physical and virtual data. AI integrates these domains to create more intuitive AR experiences.
Sources: [1]
How does AI enhance augmented reality through cross-domain data mapping?
AI enhances augmented reality by processing and correlating data from the physical, virtual, and human domains to understand natural human interactions. For example, AI can interpret a physical gesture like pointing combined with a verbal query to form a complete understanding of the user's intent, enabling AR systems to generate appropriate responses and more seamless, context-aware experiences.
Sources: [1]

06 June, 2023
Unity Blog

Issue 421

Issue 421

The article explores the intriguing intersection of reality and augmented reality (AR), questioning the authenticity of experiences in a world increasingly influenced by digital enhancements. It invites readers to ponder the implications of living in a blended reality.


What is the difference between augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR)?
Augmented reality (AR) enhances the real world by overlaying digital information, while virtual reality (VR) immerses users in a fully virtual environment. AR allows interaction with both virtual and physical objects, whereas VR restricts interaction to the virtual world only.
Sources: [1], [2]
How does mixed reality (MR) differ from AR and VR?
Mixed reality (MR) combines elements of both AR and VR, allowing users to interact with both virtual and physical objects in a single environment. Unlike AR, MR enables more complex interactions between real and virtual elements, and unlike VR, it does not require a fully virtual environment.
Sources: [1], [2]

13 September, 2019
iOS Dev Weekly

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