A recent article on Business Wire discusses the International Data Corporation (IDC) IT industry predictions release for 2018 and future years. The organisation has focused mainly on digital transformation of enterprises as a result of innovative technologies, e.g. ARVR.

Frank Gens, Senior Vice President and Chief Analyst at IDC, is quoted to have said that some of IDC’s predictions for the future are a continuation of blueprints for the enterprise digital transformation journey, whereas other predictions involve new strategies for integrating emerging technology.

Here are some examples of IDC’s top worldwide IT industry predictions:

• 60% of all enterprises will have begun to implement part of a full digital transformation platform strategy via a new IT foundation by 2020
• By 2021, over $530 billion will be spent on infrastructure and cloud services by enterprises, and over 90% of organisations will be using this technology
• Human-digital interfaces are expected to diversify by 2020; 25% of field operators and workers are predicted to use Augmented Reality by this time
• By 2021, at least half of global GDP is expected to be digitised, with main growth drivers of all industries being digitally-improved operations, relationships, and offerings
• 90% of big enterprises are predicted to generate revenue from data-as-a-service by 2020

Software Engineering Daily recently released an episode of their podcast interviewing Scott Montgomerie from AREA member Scope AR. The article summarising it can be found here.

Significant points mentioned in the article include:

• Augmented Reality applications for industrial enterprises can have even more of an impact on that sector than AR apps for the consumer sector
• One Scope AR product enables remote collaboration to aid maintenance and construction of machinery
• AR assistance is said to be a flexible tool, as it can be applied in other sectors such as construction, education, and medicine

The article mentions that during the podcast, Montgomerie discussed the current state of AR, the similarity between mapping tools in AR and autonomous cars, and made comparisons between Apple and Google AR tools.

Scope AR’s member profile can be read here.

An article on Datamation discusses the place of Augmented Reality in the technology market, including the hype cycle. It mentions that the AR market is predicted to grow to $49 billion by 2021 compared to $209 million in 2016, according to an IDC study.

Virtual Reality is compared to AR in the article, with failures of the former being focused on as opposed to the success of the latter. The most useful industries for AR are said to be training and repair; e.g. AREA member Boeing uses AR in engine repair, as the overlay provides guidance for which areas of the engine need to be fixed.

The article also states a reason why there is more demand for AR tech in industry rather than for consumer use. Rob Enderle, principal analyst for The Enderle Group, is quoted to have said that the consumer sector is restricted by budgets whereas the industrial sector is more willing to pay larger sums of money. Tim Bajarin, president of Creative Strategies, is also quoted to have said that other industries that will benefit from AR include real estate and tourism.

The failure of the first Google Glass release is discussed in the article, with reference to the latest Glass announcement; the second version is aimed at use in the enterprise rather than for consumers, which perhaps reflects the direction in which AR is going.

The article concludes by claiming that AR is at the stage of requiring data models and training for users, and expanding platforms from smartphones to headsets for consumers.

Significant points from the report include:

• The global ARVR in healthcare market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 17.2% in the forecast period
• Key driving factors for the market are: increasing private funds, emphasis on delivery of efficient healthcare services, and healthcare funds being increasingly spent on emerging tech
• The use of ARVR in medical training provides an enhanced understanding of anatomy and physiology, and results in less complications and trauma during surgery
• VR is a great advantage in exposure therapy for helping patients with phobias
• Health apps that help train doctors and patients also aid fitness management
• The ARVR healthcare market is restricted by a lack of clear regulatory guidelines for medical use
• North America is the leading ARVR healthcare market, Europe being the second
• Key factors contributing to ARVR market growth in North America are: established distribution channels and ease of access to technologies

Key market players in the market mentioned in the report include:

• Siemens Healthcare
• Intuitive Surgical Inc.
• Foursquare Labs, Inc.
• GE Healthcare
• Vuzix Corp
• Simulab Corp
• Medtronic
• VirtaMed
• WorldViz, LLC
• Oculuc VR, LLC

A press release on Market Wired earlier this week reported that Twilio, the leading cloud communications platform, have announced that they can enable multi-user Augmented Reality on their Programmable Video platform. This will allow creators to develop engaging communications for customers using a combination of real life elements and virtual overlay.

Twilio’s Programmable Video offers the following communications capabilities:

• Global media server infrastructure
• Media Sync API
• DataTrack API

These features work in tandem with other AR capabilities such as ARKit, and provide potential for future business communications. Rob Brazier, director of product for Programmable Video, is quoted to have said that Augmented Reality provides beneficial opportunities for sales conversations and remote support.

Examples of AR communications use cases now available include:

• Real-time translation of audio content into user’s language with additional subtitles
• Remote collaboration on 3D virtual resources in various industries
• Physical/verbal/emotional data being synced in real time to virtual gaming avatars

Key points from the article include:

• Over $500 million of annual value could be generated in an average postal organisation through investment in advanced tech
• Becoming digital could include use of AI, digital warehouses, augmented workforce, smart collectors, connected vehicles, etc. (Brody Buhler, leader of Accenture’s global post and parcel practice)
• The following have the potential to become a digital business: sales transformation, online loyalty programs, digital marketing, and 24-hour customer service chatbots
• Business models that could be developed include: sharing platforms, digital identifications, B2C subscriptions, payment systems, drone deliveries, and on-demand deliveries
• AI and robotics are already enabling new opportunities for postal organisations, e.g. the US Postal Service is utilising AI to weigh, price, collect mail, and answer questions at collection points
• AR and support applications are aiding the workforce in innovative ways, e.g. pick-by-vision has the effect of improving productivity, and reducing errors and paperwork
• In order to be successful, organisations must consider the following: digital customer interactions, digital in core operations, and new digital delivery models

The three factors listed are:

• A simpler and more intuitive user experience – a lack of context is one of the main reasons why users find immersive experiences confusing. Sean Chen, UX Lead at Atheer, is quoted to have said that AR and VR applications are fragmenting due to a lack of world-wide accepted standards for interaction and user experience, and so app creators need to utilise the correct modality inputs for optimum synergy.
• Creating content within limitations of the medium – when a user explores outside of the sensor range, they lose control of their “virtual hands”, a flaw which is a result of not sticking within the constraints of the platform. Greg Madison, Senior Interaction Designer at Unity, is quoted to have said that AR doesn’t have an issue with this due to the availability of programming resources via software such as ARKit.
• Focus on experiences that are only possible in AR/VR – only devices that are convenient and necessary should be created, e.g. MasterpieceVR enables users to build floating 3D objects in collaboration with others, which isn’t possible to replicate in real life. Adam Arrigo, CEO of TheWaveVR, is quoted to have said that AR/VR pioneers should “build things that enable the impossible”, which will in turn encourage people to invest in devices.

Source article: Venture Beat.

As the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) went into effect just last month, French officials in Vancouver are providing the local tech market with information on what’s now Europe’s second-largest venture capital market, in an effort to attract B.C. startups to engage France as an incubator.

The largest of these efforts will come on November 2 and 3, when the Vancouver French consulate will co-host “Enterprising Culture” – a combination of panel discussions, industry forums, demos and networking gatherings – at Emily Carr University’s new campus on Great Northern Way.

Vancouver’s Centre for Digital Media (CDM) and Emily Carr are the other co-hosts.

Philippe Sutter, the new consul general of France in Vancouver, said the B.C. tech sector and its startup scene are squarely in the sights of French officials because the country is looking for young, innovative talent to kick-start Macron’s plan to invigorate the economy through technology.

“The business links and co-operations between French startups and B.C. startups will be very important,” Sutter said, adding that officials want to avoid putting out the message that CETA would benefit only agriculture or resources trade. “Strengthening the relationship between the young generation – so not only encouraging interaction between big corporations, but also companies in the startup phase – is crucial for strengthening trade and investment between France and B.C.”

Patrick Pennefather, continuing senior lecturer at CDM and one of the event’s key organizers, said it will gather, in addition to other industry attendees, five virtual-reality/augmented-reality (VR/AR) technology companies each from B.C., Ontario and France.

He added that the timing not only demonstrates France’s newly invigorated interest in technology like VR/AR, but also highlights a broad, global convergence of awareness of how such technology can have broad implications in industries like health care.

“The important thing, I think, is this seems to be an event that’s well timed and current to the [industry] ecosystem in Vancouver,” Pennefather said. “The ecosystem here is now better at generating investment and interest, not just from government, but from external parties as well.”

He added that CDM representatives will likely attend a February conference in Paris on VR/AR to see if further development opportunities exist. He said CDM’s position as a research and development hub has already attracted industry interest, and the French wave is simply another part of that enthusiasm.

Further information from the same article can be found here.

Habitat Soundscaping represents a completely new way for businesses to address the significant problem of noise and distraction in open office environments. The service consists of nature-inspired elements – sounds of water, water walls, digital images of streams, and other options – combined with intelligent software that actively monitors for distracting speech and effectively ‘turns it down’ by amplifying the soothing sound of water in the surrounding area.

Frost & Sullivan cites the company’s forward-thinking technology and business insight as the basis for the recognition, specifically stating, “Plantronics has identified a significant business problem and then applied cutting-edge technology to address that problem. Its Habitat Soundscaping service allows businesses to reap the rewards of open office spaces while minimizing the problems associated with them.”

“It’s gratifying to have Frost & Sullivan validate the innovation and augmentation of the open office environments that we’re making possible with our Habitat Soundscaping solution,” said Beau Wilder, Vice President, Innovation Waves and New Products, Plantronics. “The days of compromise are gone. Now any company with a workspace that looks gorgeous but is noisy and uncomfortable or architects working-up new open office plans can ensure the space will be peaceful, productive, and conducive to employee well-being with Habitat Soundscaping.”

More information can be found about the company from their press release here.

Blue Star Ltd, India’s leading company for refrigerators and air conditioning, have chosen PTC’s Thingworx IoT Platform for their factory monitoring.

Blue Star offers contracting expertise and solutions for jobs such as plumbing, electrical, and industrial projects in addition to meeting cooling needs for commercial, corporate, and residential customers.

Reasons why Blue Star chose the Thingworx IoT Platform include:

• Rapid application enablement
• Machine learning capabilities
• Integration with leading device cloud offerings
• Augmented Reality
• Connectivity
• To improve operational efficiency and factory quality

Article source can be found here.