by Zach Wendt, Paul Eckhardt, Bryn Erickson, Chuck Olsen, Bryn Erickson, and Paul Christian | at MinneBar 11 | 2:45 – 3:35 in Theater | View Schedule
With 4 major headsets on the market, 2016 is being called the year of consumer Virtual Reality. What you may not realize is: Local MN businesses and developers have already been using VR for 2-3 years. Hear sage words of advice from 5 guys that look super suave with opaque ski goggles covering half of their face.
Consumer VR Tech: What's Here, Where First? - Zach Wendt
This year's VR headsets have capabilities that meet or exceed ones from 3-5 years ago, at literally 1-2% of the cost. But, there's pretty big differences in day-to-day use and development. Get an ultra-quick overview of capabilities, pricing, and target markets of this year's VR (and AR) headsets. Learn which applications and industries will adopt VR quickly due to the extreme value it brings. Hear speculation about killer apps that will lead to mass adoption and daily use!
Reality Captured! Online to VR with your DSLR - Bryn Erickson - Toursler
Toursler Inc is reality capture technology for real world practical applications and interaction. Get an overview of our technology and learn how you too can capture reality and reconstruct in 3D for your projects. Also get some insight and stories on boot strapping in the VR industry and in general.Feedback on our Toursler app for Google Cardboard is welcome!
VR Custom Hardware and Video Projects - Paul Christian
Paul will share several recent homebrew hardware and video projects that involved VR including:
* Cross platform VR driven by a stair stepper (exercise equipment)
* Stereo video capture via drone
* A homebrew data glove with position tracking and haptic feedback
360 Video Bootcamp - Chuck Olsen - Visual
The way most people will experience VR in 2016 is by watching a 360 video. What is 360 video, how many cameras do you need to make it, and why would you do such a thing? Visual has learned lessons producing 360 video for a wide range of clients including Rhapsody / Napster, the Mall of America, Washington Post, Minnesota Timberwolves, MPR and more.
Suspension of disbelief in VR! - Paul Eckhardt Tweaks, Tricks and Ticks that make virtual reality seem real, learned from VR exploring in the HTC Vive. Overview of film & CG trickery extend into the Virtual Realm, to make users feel like a super hero.
Zach Wendt started graphics programming on an Apple ][+ with a cassette drive. Projects are much more fun now, thanks to more than 6 colors, consumer priced VR, and all the tracking hardware and depth cameras.
For the past 3 years, Zach has organized MN VR and HCI meet ups that bring 50-60 devs and enthusiasts together every month.
Zach really wants your local Virtual Reality project to succeed. Contact @zach_wendt or show up at MN VR and HCI for free advice, to find collaborators, or just to geek out.
Always making games and telling stories, Paul Eckhardt found his niche in Virtual Reality Development, where games, stories, and giant beach balls come to life!
Bryn is the Chief Strategy Officer of Toursler Inc. Toursler is a reality capture and 3D reconstruction technology that creates immersive and engaging experiences all the way from mobile to VR.
With a science teacher for a father and a partially complete forestry degree, Bryn got his 10 years of experience in the real estate industry analyzing economic trends and appraisals in the property valuation field. Clearly the transition into computer vision and 3D reconstruction was a very natural one. Bryn's work in technology has been focused on practical applications of virtual reality, computer vision, deep learning and 3D reconstruction.
When he's not working its drones, learning new things, reading, parenting and creating Micheal Cera Memes for Imgur.
Chuckumentary is a 20 year veteran of new media. From producing the first web sites for Twin Cities PBS and Radio K, Chuck went on to produce the documentary film “Blogumentary” and become one of the first videobloggers. In 2007 he co-founded the award-winning journalism non-profit The UpTake, and earned an SPJ award for his livestreamed mobile political coverage. In 2009, Chuck launched the web site and social media channels for a new public television show, mn original. In 2012 he co-founded digital video agency and art gallery vidtiger, serving clients from small non-profits to Fortune 500 companies. vidtiger’s acclaimed interactive art project, Futurekave, led directly to a torrid love affair with depth cameras and virtual reality. In 2015, Chuck co-founded Visual, a virtual reality company creating inspiring VR content and a 360º video platform.
Bryn is the Chief Strategy Officer of Toursler Inc. Toursler is a reality capture and 3D reconstruction technology that creates immersive and engaging experiences all the way from mobile to VR.
With a science teacher for a father and a partially complete forestry degree, Bryn got his 10 years of experience in the real estate industry analyzing economic trends and appraisals in the property valuation field. Clearly the transition into computer vision and 3D reconstruction was a very natural one. Bryn's work in technology has been focused on practical applications of virtual reality, computer vision, deep learning and 3D reconstruction.
When he's not working its drones, learning new things, reading, parenting and creating Micheal Cera Memes for Imgur.
Software engineer, hardware and electronics tinkerer, VR enthusiast, musician. LilnkedIn
TourslerVR a virtual real estate tour app for Google Cardboard
Lucid Time a Pebble app that periodically reminds the user to do a "reality check" to promote lucid dreaming
Data glove with haptic feedback
Aztec Pong control with arrow keys or custom digitized stair stepper workout machine
Dodecaheda a buggy work in progress. fly through an endless expanse of dodecahedra
