This week (3.7-3.13) hot spots: VR fitness app Oculus Move will soon support smartphones and Apple health apps; Bandai Namco creates a "Gundam Meta universe"; Magic Leap 2 headset and controller real machine map exposed; Samsung is developing an Android-based AR headset independent of Microsoft; Niantic acquires WebAR developer 8th Wall; Beat Saber releases an update with 6 new music and new mechanics The VR adventure game Cave Digger 2: Dig Harder will land next week on Meta Quest and more.
Industry dynamics
Steam 2021 in review: New VR subscriber growth rate of 11%
Recently, Steam officially reviewed the major updates, new features and related data launched on Steam in 2021, of which the growth rate of new VR users in 2021 was 11%.
VR fitness app Oculus Move is about to support smartphones and Apple's health app
Meta announced a new update to the VR fitness tracking app Oculus Move, which will allow users to view their workouts outside of the VR headset. It is understood that Oculus Move is a system-level fitness exercise tracking dashboard that is suitable for all games and applications. Currently, to view your fitness stats, you need to wear a Meta Quest 1 or Quest 2 headset and open the Oculus Move app in VR, while the upcoming update will allow you to access the same information on compatible iOS and Android devices through the official Oculus app without the need for a headset. In addition, Meta also announced additional support for the Apple Health App. Those with an iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch will soon be able to pair the Oculus Move with their Apple Health App account, allowing them to track their workout progress inside and outside VR without having to manually enter data.
The world's first VR software for specific phobias was approved as a Class II medical device
On March 8, the "Specific Fear Psychological Rehabilitation Training Software" jointly developed by the Shanghai Mental Health Center and a medical technology company was officially approved as the People's Republic of China Class II Medical Device Registration Certificate, which is the first approved specific fear psychological rehabilitation training software based on VR (virtual reality) devices in China, and the first medical device in the world suitable for specific phobias (fear of heights).
Holoride, an in-car VR entertainment platform, will land on Audi in June this year
VR technology is about to roll out in a series of production cars this summer, starting with Audi sedans and SUVs. Holoride announced at the recent SXSW Technology, Music and Film Conference that its headset-based VR entertainment system will debut in June on some Audi models equipped with the latest MIB 3 software.
Bandai Namco created the "Gundam Metacosm" in the hope of linking intellectual property to the metacosm
Bandai Namco, a Japanese video game and toy company, plans to invest 13 billion yen ($130 million) in developing new "virtual world" experiences for its most popular games and anime IP. The virtual world is known as the "Gundam Metaverse, and the main goal is to help fans connect with each other through virtual concerts, movies, live events, and other social VR experiences. Katsushi Kawaguchi, president of Bandai Namco, said: "The Gundam Meta Universe will become a mechanism for us to connect more deeply with our fans. In the future, it will be possible to link IP specifically to the metacosm. ”
Financing Acquisition
Accelerate the full mass production of AR optical waveguides, and Lingxi Micro light completed a 100 million yuan B round of financing
On March 9, Lingxi Micron, a developer of AR underlying optical engine technology and a consumer-grade AR core display and optical solution service provider, announced the completion of a 100 million yuan B round of financing, including SDIC Meiya Fund, Fuzhikang, Medica, Beijing Tianhe Venture Capital and Shenzhen Wudao Investment.
Industrial AR solution developer Kognitiv Spark completes $4.7 million in new financing
Kognitiv Spark, developer of industrial AR solutions, announced the completion of a $4.7 million new round of funding led by Future Group ($4.2 million) and the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation (NBIF) ($500,000). It is reported that the new funds will be used to expand the size of the team and the scope of business, and to support further product development. The company also wants to work with the WAE team to leverage their network of automotive, aerospace and industrial manufacturing customers in the UK and EU markets.
AR healthcare company MediView completes $9.9 million in new financing
AR medical technology company MediView announced the completion of a $9.9 million new financing by private investment firm Inside View Investments. To date, the company has raised approximately $14.4 million in total financing.
Metacosmic social platform Oasis has completed tens of millions of dollars in Series B financing
Meta-universe social platform Oasis has completed tens of millions of dollars of Series B financing, led by Five Source Capital, Oasis Capital and BAI Capital, with Echo Capital acting as the exclusive financial advisor. After the completion of this round of financing, Oasis will continue to carry out product iteration work, expand international talents around the world, improve product operation and user service capabilities in different markets, and the virtual economic system created for creators will have the opportunity to be launched within the year.
Space Runners Completes $10 Million Seed Round to Create First "Fashion Metacosm"
Metacosmic fashion brand Space Runners announced the completion of a $10 million seed round led by Polychain and Pantera Capital, with participation from Jump Crypto, Accel, Animoca Brands chairman Yat Siu and Twitch co-founder Justin Kan. It is reported that the new funding will be used to promote its collaboration with artists and brands to provide open source fashion items as irreplaceable NFTs, and to build a larger metaverse of fashion platforms.
Niantic announced that it has acquired WebAR developer 8th Wall
AR technology developer Niantic announced that it has acquired 8th Wall, a provider of web-based AR development platforms. At present, the two parties have not disclosed the specific transaction amount.
Hardware newsletters
Magic Leap 2 headset and controller real machine image exposure, or support independent inside and outside tracking
Recently, Peter H. Diamandis, founder and director of Singularity University, released a photo of himself wearing a Magic Leap 2, clearly showing the front of the Magic Leap 2 headset and controller. As you can see from the picture, the Magic Leap 2's controller is equipped with two camera sensors, indicating that it is likely to have inside-out tracking, and this will also be the first time we have seen this approach in a commercial XR headset.
Apple is developing AR contact lenses, which are expected to replace the iPhone in the future
According to the New York Post, some experts say that Apple is developing an AR contact lens that is expected to replace the iPhone in the future. Known as the "Apple Lens," the glasses are expected to be compatible with the iPhone and Apple Glass, allowing users to make phone calls, browse the web, and even play games while interacting with their surroundings.
Samsung is developing an Android-based AR headset that is independent of Microsoft
According to South Korea's Electronic Times, Samsung is developing an AR headset that is independent of Microsoft and based on android systems. The report hinted that Samsung would use its own Exynos chip in the device instead of sourcing it from Qualcomm. Samsung has apparently completed the prototype and is "confirming the release date."
SteamVR tracker Tundra Tracker went on full sale on March 10
Tundra Tracker, a steamVR tracker that was successfully launched on Kickstarter last March, has sent 11,000 to supporters. Recently, tundra Labs, the developer of the device, said that it will start full sales on March 10.
Priced at $300, Xiaopai Technology's latest VR controller Word has been released in the United States and the European Union
VR hardware maker Xiaopai Technology announced that its new VR controller Word is now available for purchase in the United States and the European Union for $300 (estimated shipping time is 5 to 7 days).
Entering the VR space, meditation company Muse will launch an EEG headband compatible with Quset 2
Muse is a meditation company known for its mental health-focused EEG headband, especially when it comes to meditation and sleep. Recently, the company revealed plans to enter the VR market - to create a new EEG headband compatible with mainstream VR headsets such as Meta Quest 2.
Game Alerts
Beat Saber has released an update with 6 new songs and new mechanics
After unveiling Beat Saber's new free music package, Origin Soundtrack V (OST 5), Beat Games officially released the latest update to the hit VR rhythm music game, which includes new mechanics and 6 new songs.
The developers demonstrate a VR version of the city-building simulation game Townscaper
Townscaper is a city-building simulation business game developed by Oskar St lberg and published by Raw Fury, which landed on Steam in August 2021. Recently, Oskar St lberg shared a video of him experimenting with VR support and using controllers to place buildings, hinting at the possibility of releasing a VR version of the game.
The VR adventure game Cave Digger 2: Dig Harder will land on Meta Quest next week
Cave Digger 2: Dig Harder is the sequel to THE VR Adventure game Cave Digger developed by VRKiwi, whose Early Access version landed on Steam last September. Recently, VRKiwi announced that this multiplayer VR adventure game will be released for Meta Quest on March 17.
The VR puzzle adventure game Shadow Point will land on PSVR on March 22
Shadow Point is a VR puzzle adventure game developed by British game developer Coatsink, which landed on the Meta Quest platform in May 2019. Recently, Coatsink announced that a PSVR version of the game will be released on March 22, priced at $19.99.