The struggling AR platform maker has named a new CEO, effective August 1, who may be able to reverse Magic Leap’s currently sinking fortunes. AR/VR – VentureBeat & Jeremy Horwitz
Google acquires holographic glasses startup North
Alphabet has confirmed that it’s acquiring North, a Canadian augmented reality (AR) wearables company backed by Amazon and Intel. AR/VR – VentureBeat & Paul Sawers
Facebook reveals holographic optics for thin and light VR headsets
The company behind Oculus is moving closer to mixed reality glasses that can be worn all day, though there are still visual challenges yet to be overcome. AR/VR – VentureBeat & Jeremy Horwitz
HTC’s Vive X incubator backs 7 new startups, focuses on enterprise XR
The $100 million fund launched in 2016 and has nearly doubled its investment while increasingly focusing on enterprise VR and XR applications. AR/VR – VentureBeat & Jeremy Horwitz
Librestream raises $24 million to automate field technician tasks with AI
The Canadian augmented worker platform maker is increasing its AI investments and employee count to address growing demand for quick analysis of field data. AR/VR – VentureBeat & Jeremy Horwitz
Researchers demo VR finger tracking that recognizes air-drawn passcodes
The latest advance in VR/AR controls is a system that can track finger movements and recognize full words or symbols, turning air handwriting into input. AR/VR – VentureBeat & Jeremy Horwitz
NHS finds VR training boosts coronavirus frontline worker performance
A study commissioned by the U.K.’s National Health Service suggests that VR training of COVID-19 frontline workers cuts anxiety and improves knowledge. AR/VR – VentureBeat & Jeremy Horwitz
Slamcore wants to give mobile robots better spatial intelligence
Slamcore is setting out to develop and commercialize AI-powered SLAM algorithms that give robots better positional awareness in any environment. AR/VR – VentureBeat & Paul Sawers
Facebook CTO says hiring matters for mitigating AI bias, but the company lacks AI research diversity stats
Facebook CTO Mike Schroepfer on the importance of diversity and hiring at Facebook to address algorithmic bias despite little evident diversity at Facebook. AR/VR – VentureBeat & Khari Johnson
Boeing will use Varjo VR to train astronauts for Starliner missions
Three astronauts will prepare for a 2021 flight to the International Space Station using high-res VR headsets and Unreal Engine spacecraft simulations. AR/VR – VentureBeat & Jeremy Horwitz