OCEAN Cross-Platform XR Framework

Meta announced Ocean, a new open-source, cross-platform framework for creating computer vision and mixed/augmented reality applications. Notably, Meta is launching Ocean as an interoperable framework which supports applications across various OS-end devices such as iOS, Android, Quest, macOS, Windows, and Linux.

Ocean leverages an MIT license, allowing for the cross-platform and open-source framework while also focusing on performance and efficiency. Meta notes that the Ocean framework provides tools to tackle additional developers’ tasks during MR application development, such as supporting geometry, media handling, networking, and rendering.

More information:

https://www.xrtoday.com/mixed-reality/meta-release-cross-platform-xr-framework-for-quest-ios-windows-linux/

New Accessories for Quest 3

Accessories company KIWI design has announced two new products for the Meta Quest 3: the K4 Comfort Head Strap and the V3 Facial Interface. The K4 Comfort Head Strap is based on the previous model and has been specially adapted for the Quest 3, with a narrower plate at the back of the head and a re-balanced weight distribution. A redesigned knob is intended to improve comfort in sitting and lying positions. According to the manufacturer, the 234-gram plastic and synthetic leather headband features wider padding for more even pressure distribution.

An improved 52-degree hinge allows the headset to fold up more easily. The V3 Facial Interface is designed to reduce pressure on the face. It is made of memory foam with a sweat-resistant synthetic leather surface. L-shaped vents are designed to prevent fogging without letting in light. Additional light blockers are designed to provide a more immersive experience. Both products are available in black and can be purchased from the manufacturer's website. The K4 Comfort Head Strap costs $49.99 and the V3 Facial Interface costs $34.99.

More information:

https://mixed-news.com/en/new-accessories-for-quest-3-kiwi-design-introduces-head-strap-face-pad/

Robotic Vision System based on Human Eye

Developed by a team led by University of Maryland (UMD) computer scientists, the camera system mimics the involuntary movements used by the human eye to maintain clear and stable vision. The team’s prototyping and testing of the camera is called the Artificial Microsaccade-Enhanced Event Camera (AMI-EV). Based on microsaccades, which are small and quick eye movements that involuntarily occur when a person tries to focus their view. Through these minute yet continuous movements, the human eye can keep focus on an object and its visual textures - such as colour, depth and shadowing - accurately over time.

In early testing, AMI-EV was able to capture and display movement accurately in a variety of contexts, including human pulse detection and rapidly moving shape identification. The researchers also found that AMI-EV could capture motion in tens of thousands of frames per second, outperforming most typically available commercial cameras, which capture 30 to 1000 frames per second on average. The team believes this smoother and more realistic depiction of motion could be pivotal in applications ranging from creating more immersive augmented reality experiences and better security monitoring to improving how astronomers capture images in space.

More information:

https://www.theengineer.co.uk/content/news/human-eye-inspires-vision-system-for-robotics