This includes developments such as multi-user VR applications and the creation of a larger physical space than is possible now with the Valve laser tracking system, which is key for a quick set-up. Other tools are 3D scanning, volumetric video, 3D audio and other technologies which will greatly enhance the virtual space.
The company is aimed at the pro-AV market, the stationary retail market (shopping/store), the fast-growing market for XR applications in museums and exhibitions as well as industrial customers. Weird Reality has already successfully implemented a series of planning and visualisation projects using virtual reality, such as projection mappings or the planning and visualisation of exhibition stands up to complete production halls.
“AV Active and Burmester Event- & Medientechnik have been working together on sophisticated custom projects for years”, explained AV Active managing director Benjamin Brostian. “In doing so, we are confronted with a constantly growing demand for customer-specific AR/VR solutions. Current technological developments show us the way, while we have all the know-how and the resources to always push them one step further. We see a large market and are able to offer currently unique solutions in this segment. That’s why we created Weird Reality – a high-performing unit dedicated to the development and implementation of AR and VR applications.”
Nik Burmester, managing director of Burmester Event- & Medientechnik, added: “Weird Reality offers numerous solutions you won’t find anywhere else today. Our main characteristic is that we do not restrict ourselves to out-of-the-box solutions, but are actively involved in the development of new products and even act as a driving force. For example, we are alpha testers and/or developers in several development programmes and work closely together with the producers regarding the development of functions and interfaces needed in the professional AV market. Our feedback goes straight back into product development. We put all of our long-time experience with projects in three-dimensional space and the comprehensive know-how stemming from it into Weird Reality. Weird Reality truly is at home at the forefront of technological developments.”
Joining the Weird Reality management team are two Dutch technology veterans: former Tinker Imagineers creative technologist Michel Buchner and software system designer Jeroen de Mooij. Both worked together on various VR and interactive installations, including a multi-person tracked VR installation for Nestlé’s heritage centre in 2015. Buchner is liaising with technology providers and will now reach out to the European experience design community and the Dutch market. De Mooij heads the development team, integrating the various technologies with a custom software framework, which is under development.
“Besides the addition of the two Dutchmen, we have made substantial investments in equipment and additional personnel. All the new team members need powerful workstations, lots of new hardware and licenses. In addition, we invested in new high-resolution VR glasses, 360° cameras, 3D audio systems and VR backpacks as well as countless other components. It really adds up,” said Brostian.
During the next weeks, Weird Reality will present its hardware, various showcases and the team on its social media channels.