Latest news with #VirtualReality
CTV News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Experience ancient Egypt and travel in space with new virtual reality exhibit at WEM
New VR exhibits for shoppers to experience at West Edmonton Mall: Horizon of Khufu and Space Explorers: THE INFINITE. (Source: Excurio) Shoppers will be able to immerse themselves into two new virtual reality exhibits at the West Edmonton Mall. People can see what it's like to travel 4,500 years back in time and explore the Great Pyramid of Giza with the Horizon of Khufu experience. They can also fly into space with Space Explorers: THE INFINITE, adventures inspired by real NASA missions. Created by French company Ecurio, the CEO says the exhibit is filled with adventure meant for a group of people. 'You wear a virtual reality headset, you see each other, you can interact with each other and you travel in space or in this case, to Egypt,' said Ecurio CEO Fabian Barati. People will be able to feel what it's like to walk around inside the pyramids or be in space for 45 minutes. While most VR experiences have you standing still, Barati says people will be able to walk around a big space and 'completely lose the feelings of their real surroundings.' 'You can also learn a lot of history and you will feel a lot of different things because you're entering very narrow corridors and also being elevated towards the top of the pyramid,' Barati said. The West Edmonton Mall is only the second location in Canada for these exhibits; the first are in Montreal. Tickets start at $35 for adults and $25 for children eight years old and up.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
The CIC Launches "Centre for Future Construction"
Drive Innovation and Empower the Next Generation Workforce HONG KONG, May 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Construction Industry Council (CIC) yesterday celebrated the official opening of the "Centre for Future Construction" (CFC), marking a significant milestone in Hong Kong's construction industry development. The ceremony took place at the Hong Kong Institute of Construction - Kowloon Bay Campus, officiated by Ir Joseph LO, Head of Project Strategy and Governance Office, Development Bureau, together with Ir Prof. Thomas HO, Chairman of the CIC, Ir Albert CHENG, Executive Director of the CIC, Prof. Jack CHENG, Chairperson of Centre for Future Construction Project Steering Committee, and Mrs. LO LEE Oi-lin, Chairperson of the Hong Kong Institute of Construction Management Board, bringing over 2,000 experts, leaders, government officials, and industry professionals to support the event both online and offline and to celebrate this historic moment. Spanning over 10,000 square feet, the CFC features five interconnected zones, including the Digital Twin Hub, 4S Hub, AI Hub, Robotic Hub, and Immersive Cave. Each zone showcases advanced construction technologies such as digital twin applications, AI-powered safety solutions, robotics, and Virtual Reality (VR) / Augmented Reality (AR) immersive training tools. By fostering collaboration and providing hands-on learning opportunities, the CFC aims to equip young talents with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the evolving construction sector. The opening ceremony commenced with welcome remarks from Ir Prof. Thomas HO, Chairman of the CIC. He emphasised the importance of embracing the AI era and developing a new quality productive force. "Today marks a significant milestone in our journey to revolutionise the construction industry and prepare our future generations to embrace cutting-edge technologies," he stated. "We hope that the Centre for Future Construction will be the beacon of innovation for the construction industry in Hong Kong, guiding the way for the talents of the construction industry." Ir Joseph LO, Head of the Project Strategy and Governance Office at the Development Bureau, delivered the opening address, "The Government is fully committed to spearheading transformative changes within our industry. In this transformative journey, the CIC has always been our closest partner. The CFC will nurture our new generation and will foster a culture of professionalism for the HK construction industry. So, I call upon everyone to unite our expertise and collaborative efforts to lead our industry into a new era of future construction." Prof. Jack CHENG, Chairperson of Centre for Future Construction Project Steering Committee, introduced the CFC's mission to serve as an industry-wide collaborative and learning platform. The event featured keynote presentations from four industry pioneers, Mr. Kevin O'BRIEN, Chief Executive of Gammon Construction Limited, Mr. Alex KWAN, Chief Executive Officer, Asia of Global Infrastructure Solutions Inc., Mr. Peter LEE, Head of Commercial Business of Microsoft Hong Kong, and Mr. Raymond JIAN, Director and Partner of RoboticPlus. Their insightful sharing reveals how AI can be leveraged to explore the transformative potential of technology by thinking out of the traditional mindsets, building smarter infrastructure, and propelling industry success. Ir Albert CHENG, Executive Director of the CIC, concluded the event with closing remarks, reaffirming the CIC's commitment to fostering a digitally advanced and safe construction sector. "We anticipate that the Centre for Future Construction will attract over 24,000 visits annually. These facilities will be utilised in more than 100 of our existing courses, including master classes, advanced diplomas, diplomas, and various short-term courses, providing them with a dynamic environment to explore the future of construction," he added. The ceremony was followed by an exhibition, allowing attendees to explore the CFC's innovative facilities and how the industry can collaborate with the centre and the opportunities for training initiatives. The CFC aims to empower the workforce of tomorrow by providing hands-on training and fostering partnerships with industry leaders. By integrating advanced technologies and innovative training programmes, the CFC is poised to shape the future of the construction industry, driving productivity and safety. An Overview of the Centre for Future Construction The Centre for Future Construction is located on the 3/F of the Hong Kong Institute of Construction - Kowloon Bay Campus, covering over 10,000 square feet and divided into five zones. 4S Hub Displays Smart Site Safety System (4S) - related equipment, such as Central Management Platform, AI alert system, and offers visitors to try on the smart wearable devices, including safety helmets and smart watches. AI Hub Hosts technology-related workshops and showcases the Safety Large Language Model developed in collaboration with the industry, allowing participants to experience the latest AI applications that being used in construction projects. Digital Twin Hub Brings the concept of Building Information Modelling (BIM) to City Information Modelling (CIM) and showcases successful projects and technologies including BIM, Geographic Information System (GIS), IoTs and connectivity technologies to help the industry understand the development of smart cities. Immersive Cave Utilises Reality Capture and Mixed Reality technologies including Virtual Reality (VR) Cave and AR mobile app for interactive learning, deepening the understanding of how BIM can integrate with physical environment. Robotic Hub Features advanced construction robots, such as automated drilling robots and wall finishing robots, allowing trainees to operate and experience their efficiency and safety benefits. - End – About the Construction Industry Council The Construction Industry Council (CIC) was formed in 2007 under the Construction Industry Council Ordinance (Cap. 587). The CIC consists of a chairman and 24 members representing various sectors of the industry including employers, professionals, academics, contractors, workers, independent persons and Government officials. The main functions of the CIC are to forge consensus on long-term strategic issues, convey the industry's needs and aspirations to the Government, provide professional training and registration services, and serve as a communication channel between the Government and the construction industry. Please visit for further details. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Construction Industry Council
WIRED
25-05-2025
- WIRED
3D Is Back. This Time, You Can Ditch the Glasses
If there's one thing that turns people off from adopting new tech, it's being forced to look silly and feel uncomfortable for extended lengths of time. It was always the Achilles' heel for 3D in the past, and it remains the primary hurdle for VR headsets and goofy-looking smart glasses. But there's a new wave of 3D coming. Laptops, tablets, and even computer monitors have started embracing a new form of 3D technology that solves this problem entirely, without giving up just how compelling 3D can look. I've used the latest iteration of the technology and spoke with the creators—this might finally be the version of 3D that sticks. The Final Frontier I was skeptical when I first saw this next generation of 3D technology. Interest in 3D comes in waves. It led Avatar to become the highest-grossing film of all time. Five years later, it became the butt of a joke. But this new wave of 3D products isn't just a rehash of past failed attempts. There's a new technology bringing this trend to life, and it's what makes this new era of 3D so compelling. The creators of this technology have been watching the momentum build. 'Today, we're at hopefully the inflection point,' says David Fattal, cofounder and chief technology officer of Leia Inc. Founded as a spinoff of HP Labs over a decade ago, the company has been responsible for nearly all of the 3D implementations in gadgets over the last several years. That includes its first project, the failed Red Hydrogen One smartphone in 2018, as well as its own hardware projects like the Lume Pad 2 Android tablet in 2023. [optimized 3D viewing screenshot] When I first saw the Acer SpatialLabs gaming monitors a few years ago (powered by Leia's tech), I knew the glasses-free experience had a certain magic to it. Despite my initial doubts, I was impressed by the strength of the 3D effect and the large 'sweet spot.' Here I am today, with a full-fledged 3D monitor on my desk, the Samsung Odyssey 3D: It finally feels like 3D screens are coming to fruition.
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
UP's cultural legacy set to come alive in digital museum
Lucknow: A Rs 23 crore museum showcasing Uttar Pradesh's rich folk culture is set to be developed in Bakshi Ka Talab near Chandrika Devi temple. The state-of-the-art museum will digitally display artefacts related to the state's heritage, featuring various art forms like paintings, dance, music, and theatre. The museum will be built on 2.5 hectares of land, offering a unique glimpse into Uttar Pradesh's cultural legacy. The museum will give the public a peek into the rich folk art of Bundelkhand, Kanpur, Awadh, Varanasi and Rohilkhand. The museum will digitally showcase Uttar Pradesh's rich cultural heritage, featuring folk arts, classical music, folk music, dance, paintings, and theatre (nautanki) on LED screens. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies will be used to bring these art forms to life, allowing visitors to experience 3D digital elements and immersive interactive environments. There will be an amphitheatre (an open-air venue used for live performances) where performances will be given by artists from time to time. Special insulated bricks will be used to keep the temperature under control, reduce heat, and maintain the safety of the building. Dormitories for artists will also be built. Additional director of the culture department, Shrishti Dhawan, said, "The museum will offer full information about the illustrious heritage of UP the entry into the museum will be ticketed at a very affordable price, and it is most likely to open for the public in 2026."
Medscape
19-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Virtual Reality Enhances Ob/Gyn Patients' Comfort
MINNEAPOLIS — Virtual reality (VR) was associated with significant reduction in pain and anxiety in Ob/Gyn settings, according to a systematic review presented at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) 2025 Annual Meeting. 'Women's pain has historically been under-recognized and undertreated in clinical settings, including in obstetrics and gynecology,' said lead and presenting author Surina Khurana, a medical student at the University of California, Irvine, in an interview. 'With VR emerging as a promising tool for pain and anxiety management in other fields, we saw an important opportunity to explore its potential in Ob/Gyn care,' she said. 'As VR technology becomes more accessible, understanding how it can be integrated into routine practice is critical,' Khurana added. Khurana and colleagues identified 34 studies published between 2013 and 2024 on the use of VR to alleviate pain and anxiety in Ob/Gyn. Approximately one third (35%) of the studies involved the use of VR in labor; the second most common use was hysteroscopy (18%). Overall, 78% of studies in which pain was an outcome measure showed significant reductions in pain among patients who experienced VR compared with control groups. Similarly, 71% of studies in which anxiety was an outcome measure showed significant reductions in anxiety with VR vs control groups. 'One of the striking findings was the rapid growth in research on this topic in recent years,' Khurana told Medscape Medical News . 'Although our review covered studies published between 2013 and 2024, nearly all the studies were published in 2020 or later,' she said. The sharp uptick highlights the growing interest in using VR as a non-pharmacologic tool for pain and anxiety management, potentially spurred by early success in other specialties, as well as an increasing focus on patient experience, said Khurana. The increase also 'reflects a momentum in the field that we hope continues,' she said. Most of the VR experiences used in the studies were designed to calm and distract patients, such as immersive nature scenes or relaxing environments, and were delivered via headsets, said Khurana. 'These tools aim to redirect attention away from the procedure and toward a more soothing sensory experience,' she said. Barriers to widespread implementation of VR in Ob/Gyn include not only the upfront cost of the devices and the need for internet access to download or stream content but also the logistical challenges of incorporating VR into fast-paced clinical workflows, Khurana told Medscape Medical News . 'Overcoming these hurdles will require institutional support, provider training, and clear protocols for integrating VR into patient care,' she said. Limitations and Future Directions 'As a systematic review, one of the primary limitations is the heterogeneity among included studies, which limited our ability to perform a meta-analysis,' said Khurana. However, the review offers valuable insight on the current landscape of VR in Ob/Gyn care, along with trends and research gaps, she said. 'Further research is needed to better assess the effectiveness of VR in the most common office-based procedural settings, such as intrauterine device (IUD) insertions or colposcopies,' said Khurana. 'Additional studies focusing on the pediatric and adolescent gynecology population would also be beneficial, as this group may have unique needs and could particularly benefit from supportive pain management strategies,' she noted. Expanding the View on VR A greater understanding of complementary and alternative pain management options in Ob/Gyn settings remains a critical, unmet need, said Melissa S. Wong, MD, assistant professor in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, in an interview. 'We are beginning to see a real call from patients for better pain management, and finding safe, effective options that can be administered in a clinic or inpatient setting will broaden the tools available to us as clinicians to improve our patients' experience,' said Wong, who was not involved in the study but has published research on the use of VR for women in labor as a pain reduction strategy. 'I was surprised that more studies had not been performed in this space, as virtual reality has been repeatedly demonstrated to be effective in reducing pain and anxiety in other procedural settings,' Wong told Medscape Medical News . Many Ob/Gyn procedures are relatively brief and would be conducive to a quick on-and-off type of intervention such as what is possible with VR, she added. The takeaway from the current study is recognition of multiple settings in which VR has effectively reduced pain or anxiety for patients, she said. Looking ahead, more research is needed to determine which patients may have the greatest benefit from VR, which procedures are most conducive, and even which kinds of VR experiences are most suited to Ob/Gyn settings, Wong said.
