02/01/2023 – About the Topic
The United States military (as a whole) has the largest workforce in the world. It is a high-turnover environment, with new recruits joining and experienced operators leaving on a regular basis. Consider what this means for training. VR & AR also provide a platform to organize and understand real-time information through simulations and for time sensitive operational support that can save lives and prevent casualties.
From crucial disaster relief to austere environments, immersive technology offers many ways to assist. The cost of equipment that the military depends on for highly important tasks in turn costs significant funds to train on, operate, maintain, and transport – all of which can benefit from VR and AR technology. Imagine how much the country could save on military spending by using VR and AR to scale training opportunities across distant geographies where expensive equipment can be accurately simulated. Additionally, providing simulated environments can replicate dangerous situations when we can’t actually place human lives at risk.
On February 1st join us, folks in the military, and some of those creating immersive applications for military use cases as we learn how VR and AR is enhancing the next evolution of the military.
Panel Members
The Next Evolution Hosts
All Members
Two-Degrees.io
Caroline Dennis
Founder - VRAR Chicago
Matthew Wren
Matt Wren will be moderating the discussion in person while Caroline Dennis will be hosting the virtual portion in Virbela. Matt is the CTO for BUNDLAR and founder of The Next Evolution event series and VRAR Chicago. Caroline is entrepreneur, startup advisor, and advocate from Two-Degrees.io and XRWomen.
What’s the Format
Times in Central Daylight Time (CDT)
5:30-8:30pm at 1871 for the In-Person Program
6:00-8:00pm in Virbela for the Virtual Program
5:30-6:15pm – Networking & Technology Demonstrations
6:15-6:30pm – Introductions & Welcome
6:30-7:10pm – Panelist Presentations
7:10-7:45pm – Panel Discussion with Q&A
7:45-8:30pm – Networking & Technology Demonstrations
We will start with informal networking, then host a panel discussion to answer audience questions, and we end with more networking. We keep it simple and informal – this meetup is about you, our members, and not just a soap box for the host, presenters, or our sponsors. Come and get your questions answered, take your next step in Immersive Technology.
Attending The Next Evolution
Attending in-Person
1871 | 222 W Merchandise Mart Plz | Suite 1212
For our Physical Venue, 1871 can be found in Suite 1212 on the 12th floor of theMART, which is located on the North side of the river between Wells and Orleans. For easy access, enter through the Orleans entrance on the west side of theMART and take those elevators to the 12th floor.
There is no longer a Covid-19 vaccination requirement.
Watching the Live Stream
Primary Live Stream | https://awe.live/sessions
People can join by watching the scheduled live stream where we will field questions from!
You will need to register to gain access to AWE.Live.
Attending Virtually
Virbela | Virtual Environment | virbela.com/download
We encourage folks to join us in the virtual environment Community Hall by downloading the Virbela open campus client at virbela.com/download. See more about getting started and navigating Virbela below.
The Virbela virtual environment resembles a physical space, so you will be able to talk with other attendees prior to the start of the presentations. To get to the Community Hall once in Virbela, you click the GO TO menu on the top left of your screen >> Pavillion >> Community Hall. We suggest that you arrive no later than 6:00pm and we will get started promptly at 6:15. Please try to get familiar with the technology prior to the day of the meetup, as we will be unable to provide support during the event.
thank you to our sponsors
thank you to our supporting partners
Getting started in Virbela
Signing up for Virbela
Virbela is available on mac, windows, rift and vive.
First, you will want to create your account and then download the program onto your computer by going to their registration page. For Rift and Vive, it should be pretty straightforward in their interface.
- You will need to verify your email address
- Create an avatar
- Log into their “open campus”
Once logged in and in the Virbela open campus area, walk around with your arrow keys and then click the Go To menu on top left of the screen. Our program will be in the Conference Hall, so you will need to click that option to join us.
System Recommendations
- PC or Mac, Windows 7 SP1+ or newerMac OS X 10.11 or newer
- Headphones and a microphone
- Power cord plugged in for extended use
Entering the Virtual Venue – Conference Hall
- Log into Virbela
- Click Go To menu on top left of your screen
- Select Campus Locations
- Select Conference Hall
VRAR Chicago Virtual Environment Code of Conduct
Open microphones and/or not using headphones can create an echo effect that can negatively affect others’ experiences
- Please use headphones if you can.
- Keep your microphone on push-to-talk (using the number 1 key)
- Act as if this is a space that you are in physically!
- For the Questions and Answers portion
- Click “Raise Hand” on bottom of your screen
- Wait to be called on
- Ask your question
- Press the 1 key and hold it to open your mic
- Ask your question and wait a moment
- Release the 1 key
Virbela Tricks
- Press and hold the 1 button to open your microphone to speak
- Pressing the spacebar unlocks your view or “head” to look around
- You can click someone’s name and click Go To and automatically walk to them
- Your Go To menu lets you raise your hand, wave, or even dance!
- Click the screen menu on top of your screen once in the Conference Hall to select your preferred ‘view’ to enjoy the program.
- You can toggle between these selections during the program