- Host: Full Sail University
I’ve been dying to attend one of these. Though I mostly speak about games, I like to keep up with the latest technological breakthroughs in the entertainment sector—especially if they involve XR. Even with all this incredible technology eagerly displayed for all to admire and ready to be utilized, I know I’m only experiencing a glimpse of the greater world of XR tech. So allow me to indulge you for just a moment and let me tell you about my time at the expo.
The purple neon lights bear their radiance to the might of human ingenuity. Presenters, commuters, entrepreneurs in suits and ties, and strange ocular devices just begging to be worn. Magnificence all around, but where to begin?
Here! The Magic Leap 2 is a state-of-the-art AR interface. The moment I put it on, I saw specters of another dimension—one of pixels and data. It was my first time using an AR display, and it did not disappoint. I saw digital recreations of its components, a train, a candy stand, and so much more that if I had more time, I would have played with it all day.
Advanced Technology Geospatial Services. Quite a mouthful but perfectly to the point. Upon doing more research, I found that they’re quite a big name in finance. They showed off what, at first, I thought to be a space rover, but it’s actually the RIEGL VZ-600i—a terrestrial laser scanner. I’d never seen one in person until this event, and I must say, I didn’t expect such a tiny box to contain such sophisticated hardware. I would have loved to touch those buttons.
Game Driver (XR Driver)
Game Driver came in strong with three different headsets… that I didn’t get to use. As someone who only sees and experiences tech at face value, learning about the finer details, such as software and QA solutions, is daunting but worth knowing about. Last year, they partnered with Nintendo to develop middleware tools for Switch game development. I wish them the best, and for you, dear reader, don’t search “XR Driver” on Google because all you will see is golf clubs.
ECS (Engineering and Computing Simulations)
ECS specializes in military solutions, but the demo they’ve got on the tablet is truly special. The man on the screen is a vet who was diagnosed with terminal COBD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). This app is part of their “Goals of Care Conversations” project. Its purpose is to train nurse practitioners in having… the talk with the patient. The power of simulations continues to outstand me.
What’s in the box!? A decontamination chamber where you can cleanse your germ-ridden objects, including sensitive electronics. It comes in various sizes and can decontaminate 99.999% of germs within one minute. I did see a few on other booths, so it gets around for sure. I did ask the presenter if I could place my hands inside and use it like a magic hand sanitizer, to which she said no—crushing my fantasies in the process. If possible, I hope to see a pocket version of it.
Another XR solutions developer. From their website, their simulations look top-of-the-line. Their lifeguard training program seems especially interesting. I’d tell you what they presented, but unfortunately, their headset was out of juice.
Shout out to Central Florida Tech Groove, which hosts numerous technology-focused events throughout Central Florida, such as the Armed Forces Game Jam and Metacenter. I hope to attend this year, and hopefully, the price of admission isn’t an arm and a leg.
UCF (University of Central Florida)
Good ‘ol UCF. If you want to take your education to the next level, look no further. They’re showing off their XR expertise with a virtual control center. I never physically attended college, but after strolling around Full Sail for a bit, I kinda want to—student debt and all.
I’ve worked with these guys during some game jams, and they’re taking a crack at health. They’re pitching an XR expansion to Orlando Health’s Arthur app that, if successful, will fix the ‘Cold Start’ problem that plagues healthcare. They’re going to be presenting sometime this summer, and I’m going to attend. Break a leg!
Xennial produces XR solutions, and they taught me how to fix a plane… well, sort of. I just screwed around the plane, performing some nonsense. They’ve made some awesome sims, including a “Cardiovascular Exploration Sim,” where you pilot a sub into the human body while eliminating threats. Don’t quote me, but it’s probably the goriest game ever made.
Booz Allen is a leading name in many fields, including engineering and cyber security, and I wish I could have stuck around to see what exactly this is. It looks like an army management sim. I wonder if it’s on Steam?
Magnetic 3D is an XR developer that specializes in stereoscopic 3D. If you’ve ever seen a hologram at an amusement park, most likely, it’s one of their products. I mean no offense by saying this, but I always thought that glasses-free 3D was a fad. Sure, I had a 3DS and used the 3D feature occasionally, but never to the point where I felt like my eyes would explode. Because of those notions, I wasn’t sure about Magnetic 3D’s vision, but after seeing it in person, this photo does not do it justice. It’s not only easy on the eyes but very crisp and sharp. I would love to have one of their 3D portraits in my room.
If you’re wondering why there are a bunch of random XR headsets littered on the table, it’s because Mace Virtual Labs is a reseller. They partner with other tech companies and market their products to the public. The one that interested me the most was Corsair, but as it turns out, one of those partners was also presenting. It’s genuinely dawning on me just how many industries XR plays a part in. It can only get bigger.
There’s Kyle with his boys Jack and Tyler. They bring their simulations and games everywhere, and I can vouch for their quality. Also, how did I magically get into the Orlando Science Center? Who knows. I sure don’t.
Now THAT is hilariously excessive… and I love it. M3D Technologies is a veteran-owned company that creates tech solutions for all sectors. And when it comes to XR, they don’t screw around when it comes to immersion. They’ve got an entire AR toolkit that you can use for their simulation. But, as you can assume, the bazooka is the real star of the show. It was damn heavy, too, although I’m sure a real rocket launcher weighs more. Hopefully, mass production will go well for them, and I can buy it at my local Gamestop.
Now, here we have that partner I mentioned earlier, and this is something magical. They make a bold claim with their product, calling it “the world’s most advanced virtual and mixed reality” headset, and after using it, I can’t disagree. The moment I slipped on the set, it transported me to a world beyond sight and sound. The colors and the pixels were in immaculate harmony as they presented the device’s capabilities. If you’ve ever wondered what the true potential of XR tech could be, VARJO comes closer than most.
Unfortunately, the event was ending when I got to these guys, so I didn’t get to interact with them. They are a VR enterprising company that, in 2023, partnered with 302 Interactive to expand their Viroo services in the States. I hope to catch them next time and learn all about the wonderful world of enterprising.
The Event Ends
My first tech expo was a blast! There was innovation and technological brilliance everywhere you walked. And the best part is that it’s FREE. If you’ve never attended a tech expo, this is a great place to start. Although I’m sad that I missed a few exhibits, give me that VIP access next time. Will you Full Sail?
Embrace the Pixels 