Virtual Reality

New VR Offering Bundles Hardware and Services for Academic Research

• By Rhea Kelly
• 12/11/17

VR First, a global initiative dedicated to helping institutions innovate with virtual and augmented reality, has partnered with a number of VR companies to put together an array of products for academic use. The Academic Purpose VR Bundle is designed to "lower entry barriers for students, developers, entrepreneurs and researchers to access the latest VR/AR technologies," according to a news announcement.

Technologies and services in the bundle include:

• HTC Vive's VR headset, along with accessories and education-related content;
• VR-ready PCs with Intel Core i7 processors;
• Leap Motion hand-tracking technology attached to VR/AR headsets;
• Futuremark's VRMark Professional Edition, benchmarking software for VR performance;
• Blueprint Reality's MixCast product, which "enables blending of real people with virtual worlds to create compelling 2D content from VR applications in real time";
• VR management software from SpringboardVR, which automates storage, distribution and launch of VR content;
• Procurement and logistics services from CDW-G;
• Tech solutions and services in VR, AR, human augmentation and smart robots from Sense Global;
• Standards and recommended practices developed by the IEEE VR/AR Working Group; and
• Access to expertise from VR First's network of industry partners.

The Academic Purpose VR Bundle is part of VR First's Regional Growth Program, a set of VR-enabling services such as facilities setup, training, mentorship and online competitions. VR First plans to add additional hardware and software to the bundle in early 2018.

For more information, visit the VR First site.