🕶️ VR is going to Space

Good morning!

While the news in the field had been relatively quiet, two exciting developments lie on the horizon. Firstly, astronauts are set to receive their first VR headsets at the ISS. Secondly, we're gearing up to attend PUZZLE X 2023 in Barcelona, where we will provide coverage of the most intriguing XR innovations being pursued by various companies.

Today’s Topics:

• 🚀 VR is going to Space

• 🏀 Meta's Big VR Bet: Partnering with the NBA

Reading time: 3min

🚀 VR is going to Space

HTC has revealed its plans to send a modified version of the Vive Focus 3 VR headset to the International Space Station 🛰️ aboard a NASA resupply mission on November 7th. 

Details:

• Danish astronaut Andreas Mogensen will test the headset for up to eight months during the NASA Crew-7 mission, with a focus on alleviating the mental stress experienced by astronauts due to the challenges of working in space 🪐.

• HTC is collaborating with XRHealth, a virtual reality therapy company 🩺, and aeronautics R&D firm Nord-Space ApS to create a "virtual assistance mental balance initiative" to address the unique needs of astronauts.

• The VR software for this initiative, developed by XRHealth, includes 360-degree videos📽️, meditation exercises 🧘, and features to provide astronauts with a sense of home 🏡 and relaxation 😌.

• The modified Vive Focus 3 is designed to be microgravity-friendly, ensuring that astronauts don't experience disorientation or motion sickness in space.

Why it matters: VR technology could potentially address one of the primary challenges faced by astronauts: the significant impact it has on their mental health during extended missions. If this issue can be resolved, astronauts may become better prepared to embark on even lengthier missions, such as a potential voyage to Mars…👀 

To learn more about VR going to space check the link here.

🏀 Meta's Big VR Bet: Partnering with the NBA

Meta Platforms, in collaboration with the NBA, has introduced Virtual Reality sports matches. These immersive experiences include 180-degree video for live games and on-demand content, enhancing the sports-watching experience.

Details:

• The NBA's partnership with Meta extends to providing immersive games, including content via Xtadium and a dedicated NBA Arena on Horizon Worlds metaverse.

• Xtadium, a platform with a history of hosting sports events, will host all 52 games 🎉, offering a significant improvement from the previous season's five immersive games.

• NBA Arena, set to return on November 17 🗓️, will feature enhanced community-building features for sports brands and offer rewards, games, and exclusive content in the NBA-themed metaverse space.

• Users can make sports clothing purchases for their avatars 🛒, providing additional revenue streams 💰.

• Multi-Game Mode allows viewers to watch up to eight matches simultaneously 📺, with statistics 📈, social media reactions 📢, and more provided through the platform.

Why it matters: The integration of immersive VR sports experiences into the metaverse represents a growing trend in the sports industry. This collaboration between Meta and the NBA not only offers new ways to engage with sports content but also hints at the potential for expanding immersive experiences across various industries, leveraging XR technologies to create unique and interactive fan experiences📱.

If you want to learn more about this, check the latest XR Today article here.