🕶️ VR Headsets are Being Used in Space

Good morning!

This week is brimming with updates, primarily from MWC 2024, which unveiled numerous innovations in the XR industry. Meanwhile, the astronauts aboard the International Space Station are the envy of many, having just received VR headsets aimed at enhancing their physical and mental health. Lucky them!

Today’s Topics:

• 👨‍🚀 Astronauts on the ISS Use VR Headsets for Training and Well-Being

• 🚫 Meta Rejects Google's Proposal for VR & AR Collaboration

• 👨‍🦼 Honda's 'Extended Reality' Combines VR with Motorized Wheelchairs

Reading time: 5min

👨‍🚀 Astronauts on the ISS Use VR Headsets for Training and Well-Being

Orbiting at 408 km from the Earth's surface 🌍, it can be tough sometimes to be an astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Understandably, astronaut mental and physical well-being is a top priority for the agencies involved in keeping the ISS operational. That's why, in the latest SpaceX Cargo Dragon sent to the ISS, a new HTC VR headset has been included to make the astronauts' lives a little bit easier 🛰️.

The Details:

• The $1,300 HTC Vive Focus 3, known for its high-resolution displays and business focus, has found a unique application in space, underscoring its versatility beyond earthly confines 🌌.

• European Space Agency's Andreas Mogensen turns to Vive Focus 3 for exercise, riding the smart exercise bike on the ISS while immersed in the scenic landscapes of Denmark 🏞️, all synced via Bluetooth for a realistic cycling experience.

• Beyond physical benefits, Mogensen shares how VR serves as a psychological escape from the ISS's sterile environment, offering precious moments of simulated nature and stress relief 🧘‍♂️.

• Adapting VR to space's unique conditions, HTC reengineered the headset's tracking system to use a controller mounted on the wall as a stable reference point, ensuring accurate orientation without Earth's gravity 🚀.

Our Thoughts: With this latest iteration from the ISS, we can clearly see how VR will have a critical role in the future of deep space missions. As humanity eyes prolonged stays on the Moon or journeys to Mars, maintaining astronaut well-being will be paramount, and VR's ability to simulate Earth-like experiences could be indispensable 🌍. The Vive Focus 3's journey aboard the ISS may just be the beginning of an exciting new chapter in space exploration, where virtual reality becomes a vital tool for astronauts' health and happiness .

If interested, you can learn more about it here.

🚫 Meta Rejects Google's Proposal for VR & AR Collaboration

A recent report from The Information reveals that Google and Meta engaged in discussions last year regarding the potential integration of Google's newly developed software platform, named Android XR, which is designed for virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality development, into Meta headsets 🌐.

The Details:

• The late 2020 discussions aimed to bridge Meta's VR hardware with Google's Android XR, potentially opening the floodgates to a vast library of Android apps on Quest headsets 📲.

• Despite the allure of enhancing its platform's versatility, Meta ultimately chose to maintain control over its ecosystem, foregoing the broader access that a partnership with Android could have offered 🔐.

• The integration could have leveled the playing field with Apple, whose Vision Pro seamlessly incorporates iOS apps, further enriching its spatial computing experience.

• Google remains open to collaboration, aiming to position Android XR as the foundational OS for XR devices, similar to its dominance in the smartphone sector. Meanwhile, Meta is rumored to be collaborating with LG on future Quest iterations, signaling its continued investment in proprietary advancements 🛠️.

Meta’s Rationale: This decision underscores Meta's strategic focus on platform sovereignty over immediate benefits in application variety and accessibility, as their main revenue stream to counterbalance hardware losses comes from their store 💸. Hence, not supporting Android XR aligns with their approach, given that hardware sales do not constitute their primary profit source.

👨‍🦼 Honda's 'Extended Reality' Combines VR with Motorized Wheelchairs

Honda is steering its innovation into uncharted territories with its latest "extended reality" escapade, melding the immersive world of virtual reality with the practicality of motorized wheelchairs. Although this concept might be appealing to the fans of Disney’s WALL-E, this venture raises eyebrows and questions about its intended audience and broader applicability 🎡.

The Details:

• Honda's integration of VR goggles with its Uni-One wheelchairs aims to transform stationary VR experiences into dynamic adventures, simulating high-speed races in alien terrains, all from the comfort of a self-balancing mobility device 🦽.

• Despite the technological marvel, Honda's creation is tailored more towards entertainment 🎢 in malls and theme parks rather than addressing the needs of the disabled community.

• The Uni-One, boasts hands-free operation, adjustable seating heights, and the ability to navigate in any direction with simple body movements, offering a unique blend of mobility and immersion 🔄.

• While the concept promises an unparalleled entertainment experience, it skirts around the potential benefits such technology could offer to those with mobility challenges, sparking a conversation on the priorities and direction of tech innovations 💭.

Our Thoughts: Honda's foray into "extended reality" is an intriguing blend of technology and mobility, offering a glimpse into the future of entertainment. However, the focus on amusement over accessibility serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of inclusive design in technology development. As we marvel at the possibilities of blending VR with personal mobility devices, let's also consider the broader impact and potential applications of such innovations, ensuring they cater to a wider audience, including those with disabilities 🌎❤️.

If anyone is interested in learning more about VR motorized wheelchairs check the article here.

In Other XR News

• OPPO unveils new OPPO Air Glass 3 at MWC 2024, showcasing innovative initiates in the era of AI.

• Apple reportedly expands Vision Pro production capacity following successful US launch.

• RealWear unveiled their Thermal Imaging smart glasses at MWC 2024, which allows frontline workers to share streamlined workflows in high-risk environments.