🕶️ Scientists built mini VRs for mice

Good morning!

Is reality a simulation? How can we be certain of what's truly real? Well, if you're a mouse at Northwestern University, there's a high probability that you do actually live in a simulation, and your eyes are showing you an alternative world within Virtual Reality. But don't worry! It's just for research purposes, right?

Today’s Topics:

• 🐭 Scientists Develop Mini VR for Mice to Study Fear & PTSD

• 🖥️ Microsoft Office Now Works with Meta Quest Headsets

• 🔍 First Look at Meta's Apple Vision Pro Competitor

Reading time: 5min

🐭 Scientists Develop Mini VR for Mice to Study Fear & PTSD

Researchers at Northwestern University have created miniature virtual reality goggles for mice, aiming to advance studies on fear, anxiety, and PTSD, which could benefit human health.

Details:

• The VR goggles, 12 millimeters in diameter, immerse mice in realistic virtual environments 🌐.

• This technology is expected to enhance understanding of how brains process fear and anxiety 🧠, mirroring human neuron patterns.

• Earlier attempts to create virtual environments for mice were less effective, but these new goggles cover a mouse's extensive field of view 🚀.

• The setup includes a 180-degree camera 🎥, a small screen in each lens, and a miniature treadmill for mice.

• Initial tests with a virtual predator showed that mice reacted with fear responses 🐁, potentially offering insights into PTSD and anxiety treatments.

Why it matters: This innovation is a significant leap in neuroscience research. This research, while seemingly eccentric, is a critical step towards developing more effective treatments for human conditions like PTSD and anxiety, showcasing how technology can transform our approach to mental health studies.

If you are interested in this topic, read more here.

🖥️ Microsoft Office Now Works with Meta Quest Headsets

Microsoft Office, comprising Word 📝, Excel 📊, and PowerPoint 📈, is now accessible on Meta Quest VR headsets, offering users the ability to work in a mixed-reality environment.

Details:

• These apps support a mixed-reality view, allowing users to remain aware of their surroundings 🌟.

• Users can operate the apps with a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse 🖱️ for enhanced usability.

• Simple setup requires a Microsoft account and downloading the apps from the Meta Quest store ⚙️.

• This release follows a collaboration 🤝 announced last October between Meta and Microsoft, aiming to integrate Microsoft Office, Azure, and Windows 11 into Meta Quest platforms.

Why it matters: This is a strategic push to increase user immersion in VR, aiming to capture a larger 'life share' of its customers. By integrating essential productivity tools like Microsoft Office into VR, Meta is taking a significant step towards making virtual reality an integral part of daily life and work 🏢, not just a platform for entertainment.

If you are interested in learning how these Microsoft applications function in VR, please watch the video below.

🔍 First Look at Meta's Apple Vision Pro Competitor

Meta is reportedly developing a new XR headset, codenamed Mirror Lake, following the release of the Meta Quest 3. This prototype promises improvements in immersion and form factor, with a clear aim to compete with Apple's upcoming Vision Pro.

Details:

• Mirror Lake, a prototype XR headset by Meta, focuses on enhancing immersion 🕶️and reducing the size and weight of the device 🪶.

• The headset includes advanced features like holocake lenses, multi-view eye tracking 👀, and reverse passthrough for a more realistic experience 🌐.

• It aims to address the main challenges in XR headsets, such as wearability🧢 and practical usability in various settings, including industrial environments 🏭.

• The design and technology of Mirror Lake are said to be achievable with current resources, indicating near-term feasibility ⏳.

• Mirror Lake's development aligns with Meta's strategic shift towards providing business-ready XR solutions and competing with emerging XR industry players 🏁.

Why it matters: Meta's focus on immersion and usability in XR technology not only advances its offerings but also places it at the forefront of a competitive and evolving market. This underscores the growing importance of XR in shaping future digital experiences, both professionally and personally, especially in light of Meta's rivalry with Apple.

You can learn more about it here.