A single software for AR and VR

An augmented reality experience is something completely different. AR glasses allow the user to see the environment and all the objects, elements and people in it, overlaying the graphic elements as holograms that are precisely integrated into the physical world.

What does "interaction and collaboration" between AR and VR actually mean in practice?
Applications that are developed for AR and/or VR and support multi-user experiences are usually tailored to one end device. Each device offers specific features and capabilities. The elements and the environment must be determined and defined in advance in order to provide a good experience for all people participating in the multi-user session.

Creating a multi-user experience that enables interaction and collaboration between users with AR glasses and VR glasses requires software and technology that can dynamically handle the fact that some of the participants can see the real world around them while others are fully immersed in a virtual environment. In addition, the application must offer people using a controller in VR the same interaction options as AR users working with their hands.

Last but not least, collaboration in a multi-user AR-VR session means being able to perform actions such as moving an object in the room together and always being able to see what the other person is doing.

How can users of AR devices such as the Microsoft HoloLens 2 interact with users of VR glasses such as the Meta Quest 2? What are the benefits for users?
At Holo-Light, we have developed the ISAR streaming technology, which, when integrated into an XR application, offers several advantages: it breaks through the limited computing power of XR end devices and enables AR and VR end devices to work with the same software application.

This technology is natively integrated into our AR 3S application for design and engineering. With AR 3S, for example, a designer can check a model at their desk using VR glasses and later switch to the production environment to view the same 3D design data as a holographic representation using AR glasses - precisely overlaid with physical prototypes, existing product parts or other objects. And all this in one and the same software.

And a designer, for example, can collaborate in a multi-user experience with a colleague who is in the production area and wearing AR glasses: The two can discuss the 3D model, interact with it and follow live what the other's avatar is doing. This ensures an efficient, cost-reduced feedback loop and reduces the time required for decision-making and the number of potential errors.

What do you mean by "Industrial Metaverse"?
At Holo-Light, we define the Industrial Metaverse as a centralized and scalable ecosystem for industrial companies that provides employees with continuous access to XR work processes and applications, connecting these applications to the company's existing data sources - such as PLM, CRM, ERP or CMS.

In this ecosystem, employees must be able to collaborate across different departments, depending on their user profile, existing policies and authorizations. They should also be able to collaborate with external parties in an IT-secure manner. Above all, the ecosystem must ensure the digital continuity of the data that forms the digital twin and minimize the effort required to work with holographic 3D data by providing a single source for the entire company.

What characterizes "immersive technologies" and how is the term to be understood in the context of AR 3S?
When we use the term "immersive technology", we generally refer to a technical solution that enables a digital experience that is as similar as possible to real life and offers a sensory experience.

Immersive basic technologies are usually based on a single sense. AR and VR devices, for example, visualize virtual representations of objects. More advanced immersive technologies offer additional sensory stimuli and enable more sophisticated interactions to allow full immersion in the virtual environment. For example, most wearable devices for XR support audio feedback.

AR 3S offers an immersive experience based on two main elements: firstly, a professional AR device and secondly, software features developed with the aim of providing the most natural interaction and feedback possible.

The Microsoft HoloLens 2 is our preferred end device for AR 3S. It is transparent and adjustable so that anyone, even someone who wears glasses, can use it comfortably and without nausea. Users move their hands normally and the device translates their gestures into virtual commands within the software. We are constantly optimizing this to make working on a holographic 3D object as similar as possible to working with a physical object.

In addition, we are optimizing various approaches for the perfect superimposition of holograms and real elements in order to further expand the use of virtual models instead of physical prototypes.

What unique selling points does the new version of AR 3S, which will be presented at the Hannover Messe, have on the market?
The latest version of AR 3S extends the current possibilities of the software to VR glasses such as the Oculus Quest 2, while of course retaining the important features: unlimited data size thanks to streaming, without data preparation or model simplification, use of original CAD data and high data security.

All of this is made possible by a single software package that can be used on site or in the cloud. We are also introducing a new mobile client for tablets that allows user sessions to be viewed and recorded from a third person's perspective.

Thanks to the continuous exchange with our customers, we have incorporated many further improvements and functions into the software that enable even more diverse tasks to be performed and AR 3S to be integrated even more closely into existing business processes.