Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

vr

Helping robots and humans work hand in hand

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As the internet-connected world continues to transform the manufacturing and logistics industry, Technische Universität Dortmund is leading the way in research into human-robot interaction.

With the help of Vicon’s cutting-edge motion capture and VR solutions, the University is developing innovative ways to approach the coexistence of drones and robots with people in warehouse environments.

The manufacturing and logistics sector faces a major challenge: how best to serve the ever-growing e-commerce market – with increasingly small-scale shipments and shorter delivery deadlines – in a cost-effective and sustainable way. [Read more…] about Helping robots and humans work hand in hand

Osso VR’s training gaining support from medical sector

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Osso VR, a provider of a virtual reality surgical training platform, says its technology is being incorporated into surgical training programs worldwide and is now used by more than 20 leading teaching hospitals and eight top medical device companies in 11 countries.

Focused on increasing access to hands-on training that improves patient outcomes and increases the adoption of higher value medical technology, Osso VR provides an immersive, repeatable environment to safely work up the learning curve.

Leading hospitals using Osso VR include Brown University, Vanderbilt University, Hospital for Special Surgery, Marshall University, Newcastle Simulation Centre, The University of Hawaii, UCLA, University of Washington, Wake Forest Baptiste Health, University of Kentucky, University of Utah, and New York University. [Read more…] about Osso VR’s training gaining support from medical sector

BMW highlights application of virtual and augmented reality in production

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Automotive giant BMW is providing an insight into its application of virtual and augmented reality in the company’s production system.

The company says the “fast and flexible” planning of new workstations in production is made possible by virtual reality and digitized 3D factory data.

It’s still a learning process but augmented reality technologies is making it possible to design training courses without any coding knowledge.

It also enables comparison between the camera image and CAD models for fast, straightforward quality checks of parts and vehicles. 

Full story below… 

[Read more…] about BMW highlights application of virtual and augmented reality in production

Opinion: Augmented and virtual reality ‘open up whole new world of opportunities’

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augmented-reality-glasses atheer

By Douglas Bruey, electrical engineering program lead at Synapse

At first glance, a gamer playing Pokémon Go has little in common with a surgeon saving lives in an operating theatre. But dig a little deeper and you’ll discover that might not be the case for much longer.

Augmented reality and virtual reality technologies are poised to open up a whole new world of opportunities. We’re already seeing the effects of VR when it comes to gaming. But in future could AR add a new dimension to surgery?

AR and VR both have the ability to alter our perception of the world. AR takes our current reality and adds something to it – virtual objects or information. VR, on the other hand, immerses us in a different – virtual – world.  [Read more…] about Opinion: Augmented and virtual reality ‘open up whole new world of opportunities’

Beam me up virtually, Scotty: I canna change the laws of physics, captain

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Kirk, Spock teleportation

lockA while ago, Robotics and Automation News interviewed Alex Boch about 360 cameras, and he said he would be developing a new product soon which would incorporate virtual reality. 

Now, having helped build the ALLie Camera, Boch – who is VP of operations there – is back in touch to talk about the device which he says gives users a better view of events than if they were actually there.

One of the events ALLie has been used for is the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship, which Boch mentions in the Q&A that follows.  [Read more…] about Beam me up virtually, Scotty: I canna change the laws of physics, captain

Dassault Systèmes teams up with HTC to provide virtual reality to enterprises

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dassault htc vive

HTC has formed a strategic partnership with Dassault Systèmes to drive virtual reality (VR) into the enterprise space. HTC has a VR system called Vive, which the two companies will work on refining applications for. 

Dassault Systèmes has developed the 3DExperience platform as a collaborative virtual environment for businesses to create differentiating customer experiences.

Dassault Systèmes applications can already be used on the HTC Vive VR system, which is said to provide “total experiential immersion and room-scale capability”, say the companies, adding that it delivers a 3D experience in a highly accessible format that enables their customers to easily envisage potential solutions.  [Read more…] about Dassault Systèmes teams up with HTC to provide virtual reality to enterprises

AMD claims it has 83 per cent of global VR systems market

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amd liquidvr
AMD LiquidVR

AMD claims it virtually owns the virtual reality systems market with a whopping 83 per cent market share. And yet the chipmaker says it is looking to further consolidate its dominance. 

AMD has revealed new advances in hardware and software to further the reach of VR, and unveiled its new GPU certified program that simplifies adoption of VR technology for consumers and content creators.

“AMD continues to be a driving force in virtual reality,” said Raja Koduri, senior vice president and chief architect, Radeon Technologies Group, AMD.

“We’re bringing the technology to more people around the world through our efforts to expand the VR ecosystem with VR i-Cafés in China, new Oculus Rift and HTC Vive headsets, and a wide variety of content partners in gaming, entertainment, education, science, medicine, journalism and several other exciting fields.”

AMD says it is also making VR more easily accessible to consumers and content creators with its GPU certified program featuring the new Radeon VR Ready Premium and Radeon VR Ready Creator tiers. Its forthcoming Polaris GPUs and AMD LiquidVR technology will “simultaneously advance groundbreaking VR-optimized graphics”, says the company.

AMD and Associated Press launch virtual reality channel

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AMD and the Associated Press have launched a new channel which puts viewers in the middle of events and environments through the wonders of virtual reality technology.

Some might say this is a worrying development, something that might encourage journalists and camera operators to put themselves in increasingly dangerous situations to give viewers exclusive and authentic coverage of events.

It might also escalate demand for ever more shocking pictures of war and other tragic events and developments around the world.  [Read more…] about AMD and Associated Press launch virtual reality channel