philip lelyveld The world of entertainment technology

VR/AR in Wellington – Plans Unveiled for National Virtual Reality Complex

Work has started to set up a national virtual and augmented reality complex in Wellington, its newly-appointed centre director has revealed.

Jessica Manins says the complex, named ProjectR, will bring together the nation’s top businesses and researchers to develop and test world-first uses for virtual and augmented reality.

Discussions about the complex are ongoing with industry groups, tertiary institutions and businesses, Manins says.

“We want to make sure it’s fully collaborative and that we’ve talked to all the right people before firmer decisions on structure and capability are made.”

The current goal is to get operational on an initial site this month and have the complex’s full facilities in place by early next year. Designs for the state-of-the-art complex are being developed at present with initial plans to include two demonstration theatres, a start-up software suite with tools to create new applications, a conference room and desks for about 24 people.

She says the need to develop such a centre is highlighted in July by the report, ‘Unleashing New Zealand’s Potential – Faster’, which contains comments by Spark’s managing director Simon Moutter on accelerating New Zealand’s technological progress.

Virtual reality company 8i cofounder and chief executive, Linc Gasking, is supportive of the proposed centre.

See the full story here: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1609/S00199/plans-unveiled-for-national-virtual-reality-complex.htm