 Mojo Vision CEO Drew Perkins has begun testings the company's AR contact lens. The lens can be worn directly on the eye using medical-grade micro-batteries and the "world's smallest" .48mm MicroLED display. So far, tests at the company's Saratoga, California, research lab are limited to one-hour increments and are only worn in one eye at a time. This is the first test of its kind and, according to the company, proved to be an overall success. Perkins could interact with a compass, read texts, and view monochromatic images. The AR displays are controlled via eye movements and do not require a secondary interface. More: - The AR lenses are equipped with an ARM processor, 5GHz radio transmitter, accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer.
- The contact lens' astounding 14,000 pixels-per-inch MicroLED display rivals the Super Retina XDR Displays of Apple's iPhone 13.
- For comparison, the iPhone 13's display is 460 pixels per inch.
- This is especially astonishing given that the contact lens measures just .2 inches in diameter.
- The display's 15° field of view may seem limited, but because the device moves with your eye, the user does not necessarily experience the diminutive FOV.
- The eye-sized lens wirelessly communicates with external devices.
- Users wear a "relay accessory" about their neck and an antenna-embedded headpiece.
- The neck device contains a processor, GPU, and 5GHz radio.
- Both devices send and receive information that power the AR lens.
- Mojo Vision intends to develop the product so it no longer needs accessories.
- Ideally, Mojo's AR lenses will no longer require external devices, host a full day of battery life, and comprise two lenses that seamlessly interact.
- The company also plans to create lenses that look like irises.
- Mojo's CEO believes the product could become widely available in the next 10 years.
- In an article written for Big Think, Louis Rosenberg predicted that "AR eyewear, first as glasses and then as contacts, will eventually replace the mobile phone as our primary interface with digital content."
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 The VR company Waya Health has received a $1.8M contract to supply VR-based creative therapies to 56 Veterans Health Administration (VHA) medical centers in 34 states and Peurto Rico. The immersive art therapy program uses VR to help users heal emotionally, psychologically, physically, and socially. The program includes modules covering a variety of artistic activities, including dance, painting, gardening, and music. More: - Waya Health has already shipped 350 VR HMDs preloaded with its proprietary software.
- According to Waya Health's President Joe Morgan, MD, the shipment is "one of the largest single deployments of virtual reality within a US healthcare system."
- Representatives from the VHA are confident the program will help veterans address myriad health issues.
- For instance, Anne Lord Bailey at the VHA told reporters covering the program's implementation in Durham, North Carolina, that "the potential for immersive technology, specifically VR, to impact the lives of our staff and veterans positively is endless."
- The company's two-year contract includes training, technical support, and software updates.
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 D-BOX Technologies Inc. and Vesaro partner to create full-bodied, immersive Formula 1 driver experiences in VR. The Formula 1 racing simulators will be used at Kindred Concept centers for training and entertainment. The companies secured a licensing agreement with Formula 1 to develop the immersive gamified project. Veraso will design and engineer the program, and D-Box Technologies Inc. will produce the haptic feedback. More: - The simulations will help Formula 1 identify new drivers, provide a safe training environment for current drivers, and allow fans to experience what it's like to be behind the wheel.
- Drivers can use the program to familiarize themselves with different courses and car types before exploring them in person.
- The racing simulation will save the company money and improve driver comfort.
- The program is currently exclusive to London, where ~60 simulators are available at a single location.
- Over the next few years, the companies plan to expand offerings to more than 30 venues.
- The companies want to grow their footprint in the USA, Asia, and the Middle east.
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Echo3D raised $5.5M to grow its 12-person company. Qualcomm Ventures led the round with participation from Remagine Ventures, Konvoy Ventures, and Space Capital LP. Echo3D is a cloud-storage management platform for 3D, AR, and VR assets. Echo3D is one of the only companies of its kind serving the growing XR media space. The company's cloud storage supports multiple platforms, including headsets, smartphones, gaming devices, cameras, and web browsers. More: - The platform helps optimize and lighten 3D assets via specialized compression and conversion technologies.
- The program has been used for cloud gaming, advertisement campaigns, NFT drops, and more.
- The cloud-storage provider is beneficial to users who experience faster downloads and fewer interruptions.
- Echo3D CEO told reporters that "400 people" register for the program "every week."
- The program allows users to develop and publish 3D content without hiring large development teams.
- Eze Vidra from Remagine Ventures explained Echo3D's unique appeal when they noted, "3D content usage is skyrocketing, but the infrastructure to create, serve, and track 3D content has yet to catch up."
- The company raised $4M during its previous Oct. 2021 funding round.
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India's School Education Department has partnered with the Chennai-based virtual reality and augmented reality startup Meynikara to introduce STEM-based learning programs to several government-backed schools. VR-learning environments will replace computer labs. Students will use VR headsets to learn about science, technology, engineering, and math. The "Meta Kalvi" program situates learners in an immersive environment to help them reach learning objectives and familiarize themselves with Web3 technologies. More: - The program will begin at three public schools and two "corporation schools" in the city's Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni assembly constituency.
- Each of the schools will be provided with 20 VR HMDs.
- Teachers will receive 2-months of in-depth training.
- Teachers will learn how to use the devices, evaluate students, conduct exams, and assign tasks.
- The subjects are intended for students in grades 6-9.
- The VR education program is available in both English and Tamil.
- While the program is currently limited to STEM subjects, the startup intends to introduce new modules over the coming years.
- According to Meynikara's co-founders, the education platform will better engage students and increase interest levels.
- Meynikara's co-found and CEO, Raghuraman Ravi, explained, "With the successful launch of 'Meta Kalvi,' Tamil Nadu has set a new milestone of incorporating virtual reality labs within its education system. We are aiming to set up VR labs in all government schools in the state. We expect a quick and wide adoption of the technology by private schools as well."
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 Award-winning drummer and Singapore-based Drum Tutor head Chow-Kiat Er uses AR to help students develop new skills. Er partnered with Sebastian Ngui, who helped develop the AR program called "Playarlong." The project took nine months to create. It is now available to use at Drum Tutor locations in Singapore. More: - The interactive technology shows students which portion of their drum kit to strike at what time.
- Playarlong can be deployed at three difficulty levels: easy, medium, and hard.
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 |  | Courtney Rawlings is an Inside Research Analyst living in Los Angeles, California. She has returned to her hometown of LA after spending several years working at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, where she is completing a Ph.D. in Art and Architectural History. While working toward her Ph.D., Courtney has developed an interest in the language and history of the tech industry, especially regarding metaverse technologies, streaming, and podcasting. In fact, she hosted her own podcast Low Culture Boil! You can find her on Twitter: @ckayerawlings Email: courtney@inside.com |  | | Editor | Aaron Crutchfield is based in the high desert of California. Over the last two decades, he has spent time writing and editing at various local newspapers and defense contractors in California. When he's not working, he can often be found looking at the latest memes with his kids or working on his 1962 Ford. | |
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