Maybe this is why Julia Kern, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Somareality, answers most of Nathan C’s questions in this episode with two-part answers.
The work Somareality is doing to build a tool kit for measuring digital biomarkers takes advantage of the robust new generation of virtual reality and augmented reality headsets that are packed with all kinds of sensors that can observe behavior and track how VR apps, and therapeutics, are engaging and impacting the viewer.
Biomarkers and XR sensors help to close the loop between the user experience and the desired impacts of a virtual treatment or training application—helping clinicians and developers alike, to better understand how people are using and interacting with their content and treatments.
In a healthcare application like virtual therapy to treat PTSD, understanding how engaged and stimulated the patient is, can be crucial in providing the right level and intensity of treatment. For literacy training, understanding how the eye is moving and interacting with content can be instrumental in understanding when and why students lose interest.
As part of a European company working in healthcare, Kern notes that many of the concerns we hear about data privacy and security in the metaverse have been addressed thoroughly and that following existing regulations and product process can alleviate many issues without reinventing the wheel.
Teams shouldn’t feel overwhelmed by the “problem with XR data,” rather they should lean on the existing models and patterns—starting with a clear data strategy and following through by making sure consent systems inform and protect users along the way.
This level of data sophistication is quickly becoming table-stakes for any XR company hoping to do business with the Enterprise or any highly regulated vertical like finance or healthcare.
"Can the metaverse help advance diversity, equity & inclusion?" If you're seeing this video, there's reason to be hopeful—and still a little skeptical.
Today, the overwhelming majority of technology companies and startups are run by white men. And despite recent record-setting years of VC funding for women-lead companies there's still nearly a 10:1 funding advantage for men.
How new industries make space for women, people of color, people with disabilities, trans people, or any other under-represented group starts with the values of the community and the founders in it.
From our experience the XR community we meet, at events like AWE, is full of professionals who have been inspired by the possibilities of AR & VR to make a positive impact. As explorers of new realities they tend to be more accepting of differences and take more personal responsibility to make XR inclusive for professionals and consumers alike.
There still remains a lot to do to ensure the metaverse can be a level playing field for representation, access, equity, tequity.
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The AR Minute with Nathan C is back for season 2 of no-fluff, no-jargon interviews that demystify the worlds of AR, VR, XR and whatever else we’re calling metaverse technology these days.
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The AR Minute brings you into the conversation with the people building the metaverse—discussing the real work and challenges of innovative technologies, rather than focusing on the technical specs and future hype.
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Special thanks to our Season Two series sponsor, AWE, for creating an environment where “XR business thrives,” ideas flow freely, and the global community comes together to push this industry forward.
Since 2010, over 5,000 XR companies and 60,000 professionals have come together at AWE events to learn from the brightest industry minds, to experience cutting-edge technologies first-hand, to challenge each other with crucial conversations, and to build the connections that drive a diverse and vibrant community and ecosystem.
Learn more at awexr.com