Augmented reality (AR) can be seen as a major trend – indeed, its potential is set to outstrip that of virtual reality (VR). But a technical challenge lies ahead.

According to a new whitepaper from Adlens, a provider of adaptive focus lens technologies, alongside analyst Greenlight Insights, solving the two key issues plaguing augmented reality could unlock an incremental $10 billion in addressable market value by 2026.

Here is proof the virtual (VR) and augmented reality (AR) market is thriving: WaveOptics, a UK-based designer of optical components for augmented reality devices, has announced an additional $13 million (£10m) in funding to close an oversubscribed series C funding round at $39m.

The company aims to solve three primary problems associated with AR wearables; design, cost, and optical...

Qualcomm Technologies has announced the new Qualcomm Snapdragon Smart Viewer Reference Design, which is a VR form factor built together with Goertek on the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR1 Platform. The Reference Design, launched at the Augmented World Expo 2019 in California, helps in decreasing the time taken in product development of both AR and VR smart viewers.

Hugo Swart, head of XR at Qualcomm, said: “The Snapdragon...

Nintendo’s gaming and construction toy platform, Nintendo Labo, will be launching the Nintendo Labo: VR Kit next month.

The Nintendo Labo: VR Kit, which is the fourth kit in the Nintendo Labo series, aims to create a simple and shareable VR experience for users. It provides tools that allow them to make DIY cardboard creations, called Toy-Con. This allows them to play a variety of games and discover how Nintendo Switch technology brings it all to life. 

The VR Kit offers six new Toy-Con creations...

Toronto-based VR and AR developer Dark Slope recently closed a seed-funding round in which it accrued more than £1.17 million.

These funds will be utilised to increase the company headcount and develop the company’s free roam technology and its enterprise product line, along with supporting the release of future VR and AR experiences. The company also announced the launch of its first product, the Scarygirl Mission...

US tech firm Vuzix and Singaporean integrated engineering group ST Engineering have introduced an AI biometric-powered smartglasses platform that will enhance productivity of enterprise customers and increase global public safety against the backdrop of rising urbanisation.

The AI biometric-enabled platform, which the companies claim is the world’s first, has been developed as a PaaS (platform as a service) by ST...

Machine learning and augmented reality provider Phiar has announced a seed funding round of $3 million to develop a computer vision and deep learning navigation app for smartphones, to be launched in app stores in mid-2019. Unlike traditional GPS apps, the Phiar app displays the driver’s real-world surroundings augmented with an easy to follow painted path.

The seed round, co-led by the Venture Reality Fund and Norwest...

Google has announced that Chrome, the world’s most popular browser used by 44.5% of users, is now available on its VR (virtual reality) Daydream headsets.

Announced on its blog yesterday, the search and tech giant said users of Google Daydream View and Lenovo Mirage Solo with Daydream can now launch Chrome directly from their homepage and interact with any webpage while in VR.

Google promises that “all the features you...

Aeronautics and space manufacturer Airbus yesterday released five new multi-user VR (virtual reality) experiences at Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) in the UK.

Known for producing the world’s largest passenger aircraft, the A380, Airbus teamed up with immersive technology specialist Render to show off its expansive and diverse range of projects through VR, including future aircraft concepts, drone-based deliveries, and even a virtual spacewalk mission.

The five new VR experiences focus on a...

Opening its World Wide Developer Conference (WWDC) this week, Apple announced a string of updates to its AR (augmented reality) framework ARKit - a key development in a field the tech company is pitching its long-term success on.  

The update comes after Apple announced that 13 million apps had been downloaded using the framework since its debut in September 2017, with some 47% of that figure driven by a surge in the popularity of