Shaping the Future of XR Together: A Look Back at Immersive Tech Week 2024

Immersive Tech Week 2024, held from 4th to 6th December in Rotterdam, was the place to be for anyone engaged with XR technology. This annual gathering brought together innovators, businesses, and consumers to discover the latest developments in virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). For Unbound XR, it was a unique opportunity to showcase our expertise and collaborations, inspire visitors, and gain new insights. In this blog, you'll read all about our experiences during Immersive Tech Week 2024 and the latest XR innovations

Unbound XR was proud to share a joint booth during Immersive Tech Week with a group of strong partners. Together with HTC, Meta, Playmax Group, Inform!AR, Uvisan, Innerspace and The Simulation Crew , we presented a wide range of VR and AR solutions showing how these technologies can be applied in sectors such as education, healthcare, and training

Highlights from our partners included:

• HTC and Meta: Demonstrations of the latest XR headsets and hardware, giving visitors a glimpse into the future of immersive technology
• Playmax Group and Inform!AR: Practical applications of XR technology, including simulations and tools for training and education
• Uvisan: Innovative solutions for disinfecting VR headsets, essential for a hygienic user experience
• Innerspace and The Simulation Crew: Impressive simulations that elevate training and education to a higher level

These collaborations emphasised the importance of a strong partner network to accelerate the adoption of immersive technologies

One of the most appreciated aspects of our booth was the opportunity for visitors to try out the technologies themselves. These interactive experiences introduced visitors to the power and applicability of XR technology:

• VR headsets and simulators: Visitors were able to use advanced simulators and VR applications, such as VR training and immersive entertainment experiences

During Immersive Tech Week, it was also inspiring to meet collaboration partners like Senseglove and Syntech . These companies presented their innovations at their own booths and provided valuable insights into how their technologies can improve the XR industry

Senseglove: Their haptic gloves, designed to provide realistic feedback in VR environments, impressed during test sessions with new users

Syntech: Their latest accessories, such as high-quality cables and adapters, were enthusiastically received by visitors. It was a great opportunity to see these products, which we had previously introduced, in a live setting

These encounters underscored the importance of maintaining partnerships and continuing to innovate

Immersive Tech Week 2024 provided a clear picture of where the XR industry is heading. The following trends stood out:

Integration of artificial intelligence (AI): AI is increasingly being used in VR and AR applications to create custom user experiences. Examples include virtual training programmes that provide real-time feedback based on individual performance, or AR apps that provide immediate contextual information based on visual recognition

Haptic feedback: Innovations such as the latest version of the Senseglove, which was extensively demonstrated at the exhibition, bring an unprecedented level of realism to XR experiences. Users can feel objects in a virtual environment with almost the same precision as in the real world, opening up new possibilities for sectors such as medical training and industrial simulations

Sustainability: More and more XR hardware is being developed with an eye for the environment. At the exhibition, there were several exhibitors using recyclable materials in their headsets and accessories. Initiatives were also presented to extend the lifespan of products and minimise e-waste through modular and easy-to-repair designs
These trends show how technology, realism, and responsibility come together in the future of XR

The interactive demonstrations and conversations with visitors gave us valuable feedback and confirmed the impact of our products and services. During Immersive Tech Week 2024, our booth attracted both business customers (B2B) and consumers (B2C). This diversity offered a unique opportunity to show how XR technology meets the needs of both target groups. Through interactive demonstrations and the expertise of our collaboration partners, we were able to show how XR solutions add value, regardless of the application or sector

Business Customers: Innovation for Industry and Education
For business visitors, the focus was on practical and scalable applications. Together with our partners, we showed how XR technology can be used to improve processes and save costs:

HTC and Meta presented XR headsets that allow businesses to develop training and simulations, for example for healthcare, government or industry
Uvisan emphasised the importance of hygiene with their disinfection systems, which were particularly popular with training centres and healthcare institutions that share XR equipment
Innerspace and The Simulation Crew showed how VR simulators are used to train employees in complex environments, such as in the pharmaceutical industry, aviation and logistics
These solutions emphasised the growing interest of business customers in safe and efficient implementations of XR technology

Consumers: Immersive Experiences and Entertainment
Consumers were mainly interested in how XR technology can enrich their daily lives. The latest XR headsets from HTC and Meta attracted a lot of attention, with applications such as VR fitness, gaming and virtual travel being popular. Innovations like Senseglove's haptic gloves, presented at their own booth, let visitors experience how VR can become even more realistic. Consumers also appreciated the products from Syntech, such as the new Headstraps for Meta Quest 3 and 3 S, VR Backpack as well as cables and adapters, which allow them to optimise their XR experience at home

The Power of Collaboration
Our collaboration partners, like Senseglove and Syntech, played a key role in inspiring both business customers and consumers. Business customers were particularly interested in applications such as rehabilitation therapy and prototyping, while consumers saw their technologies as ways to enhance entertainment and daily activities

A Valuable Experience
Immersive Tech Week demonstrated how XR technology can be versatile and impactful, both in business and personal applications. Through a combination of inspiring demonstrations and the innovative contributions of our collaboration partners, we helped visitors better understand and appreciate the power of immersive technology

The Immersive Tech Week 2024 once again proved that XR technology plays a crucial role in transforming how we learn, work, and entertain. With concrete applications in sectors such as healthcare, aviation, and industry, the impact of this technology is rapidly growing. Together with our partners and other innovators, we look back on an inspiring event and look forward to a future full of possibilities. Would you like to know more about our products or services, or are you curious about how XR can transform your organisation? Visit our webshop or contact us today, and discover the possibilities of XR for your future