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Virtual reality and augmented reality (VR and AR)

Virtual reality and augmented reality (VR and AR)
Tech companies are actively pursuing developments in virtual reality - which involves creating an interactive virtual world using body motion tracking and headsets - and its sister technology, augmented reality, which combines real world and virtual data into the experience. Find out the latest developments in these industries right here.
last updated:
9 September, 2024
The gadget looks like a lollipop and is able to send VR taste sensations when electrified. Photo: PNAS
Food and Drinks

Mouthing Off | Sugar, salt … durian. A device zaps your tongue into tasting them all

Scientists at City University of Hong Kong have invented a device that can mimic flavours by zapping the tongue with an electric current.

Architecture and design

Notre-Dame expo takes visitors on virtual history tour of Paris icon

Education

Are VR headsets the future of education in schools?

Artificial intelligence

Chinese AR start-up Rokid puts Alibaba AI in smart glasses to take on Meta

Rokid’s US$345 smart glasses are the latest from China to adopt generative AI to capitalise on the burgeoning product category.

The Rokid Glasses include a number of use cases that are aided by artificial intelligence, including real-time translation and messaging. Photo: Rokid
Wearables

These AR glasses can tell you names and addresses of people you meet

Two students created augmented reality smart glasses that identify people they see, exposing the risks of mixing AI with facial recognition.

Apple

Apple explores smart glasses, following Meta’s lead

An internal study is under way to gather feedback from Apple employees on smart glasses, sources say.

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Alibaba

Alibaba cuts ‘dozens of employees’ at metaverse unit as sector’s hype cools down

The lay-offs affected Alibaba metaverse unit Yuanjing’s operations in Shanghai and Hangzhou, according to a report.

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Alibaba’s move to downsize its metaverse workforce reflects how other major tech companies are pulling back resources from the sector. Photo: Shutterstock
Artificial intelligence

Review | Seeing is believing: Chinese smart-glasses maker Even Realities bets on visuals

The US$600 G1 glasses are a premium, display-oriented product in a market increasingly flooded with cheap Chinese alternatives.

What to do in Hong Kong

5 great shows for arts fans in Hong Kong this weekend, October 4-6

A Chinese instrument masterclass and a Grammy nominated duo are part of a feast for music fans this weekend. And an art fair is back.

Meta Platforms

Meta Platforms will produce virtual reality headsets in Vietnam

Facebook parent Meta said it will produce its next-generation virtual and augmented reality headsets in Vietnam, creating 1,000 jobs.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg presents Orion AR glasses at the company’s headquarters in Menlo Park, California, September 25, 2024. Photo: Reuters
Artificial intelligence

Meta’s chatbot will speak in voices of celebrities like Awkwafina

Meta’s new feature comes after rival OpenAI introduced a ChatGPT voice that sounded like actress Scarlett Johansson, without her consent.

Asian-American actress Awkwafina at the Emmy Awards on September 8. Photo: AP
Metaverse

Smart glasses, AI features to boost AR and VR headsets growth

VR and AR headset makers are expected to ship over three times more devices in 2028 than this year, says research firm IDC.

Alibaba

Alibaba’s Taobao puts Xiaomi car buyers behind virtual wheel

After an update to Taobao’s app on Apple’s Vision Pro headset, users can test drive Xiaomi’s SU7 virtually before buying it online.

Performing arts in Hong Kong

Hong Kong Ballet artistic director on ‘over the top’ The Wizard of Oz

The Wizard of Oz has been a favourite of Septime Webre since his childhood. His version of the tale of Dorothy and her friends for Hong Kong Ballet leans towards the ‘outrageous’, he says.

A scene from Septime Webre’s ballet The Wizard of Oz. Photo: Brett Pruitt & East Market Studios
History

Japanese city’s VR tour shows devastating aftermath of atomic bomb

In Hiroshima, hit by a US atomic bomb on August 6, 1945 during World War II, a travel company is operating a unique virtual reality tour to offer visitors an immersive window into Japan’s past.

Tabimachi-Gate Hiroshima’s Hiroshi Yamaguchi uses his company’s VR headset on a tour of Hiroshima. Photo: AFP
Technology

Effects studio behind Marvel’s Avengers to set up Hong Kong R&D centre

Digital Domain’s research and development centre in Hong Kong will focus on artificial intelligence-powered virtual humans and their application in service-oriented environments.

Wearables

As Apple’s Vision Pro hits China, 2 quite different users’ takes

A Gen Z gamer and a Gen Y gadget geek give their thoughts on the innovative but costly Apple Vision Pro as the mixed-reality headset hits shops in Hong Kong and mainland China.

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Apple

Apple’s Vision Pro launches in Hong Kong, drawing mainland buyers

The 256-gigabyte basic model sells for roughly US$550 more on the mainland than in Hong Kong.

Apple’s Vision Pro mixed-reality headset officially launches on Friday in Hong Kong. Photo: Xinmei Shen
Wearables

Play For Dream mixed reality headset: an improved Apple Vision Pro clone

It may look just like the Apple Vision Pro, but the headset from Shanghai-based Play For Dream puts out higher-resolution visuals, feels more comfortable, and can run Android apps.

Apple

Apple’s Vision Pro headset sets China launch, facing fierce competition

Pre-orders for the mixed-reality headset start on Friday and shipments later this month, but the US$4,100 price tag is even steeper than in the US.

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TikTok

ByteDance-owned TikTok said to cut hundreds of jobs globally

The lay-offs, which were announced internally earlier this week, are expected to affect TikTok’s operations and marketing departments.

TikTok app logo on screen and a finger pointing at it. Concept for app being in spotlight- blame, antitrust, regulation, child privacy, lawsuit, security. Stafford, United Kingdom - July 28 2019 Photo: Shutterstock Images
Apple

Apple’s Vision Pro mixed-reality headset obtains China quality certification

This development lends credence to Apple chief executive Tim Cook’s assurance that the Vision Pro will be released this year on the mainland.

An attendee tries on Apple’s Vision Pro mixed-reality headset at Tuesday’s opening of the CYBERSEC 2024 expo in Taipei. The 10th edition of the cybersecurity event concludes on May 16. Photo: EPA-EFE
Alibaba

Alibaba’s Taobao launches 3D-capable app for use on Apple’s Vision Pro headset

The app marks the latest effort by Alibaba to improve users’ experience on its various online platforms via augmented and virtual reality technologies.

Apple

An Apple robot that follows users around the home could be its ‘next big thing’

Engineers at Apple have been exploring a mobile robot that can follow users around their homes, sources told Bloomberg, as the tech giant searches for new revenue.

ByteDance

ByteDance raises annual bonus for high-performing employees amid restructuring

The increased bonus programme shows the lengths taken by TikTok owner ByteDance to retain and attract talent, even as the company continues to restructure its operations this year.

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The increased bonus programme shows the lengths taken by ByteDance to retain and attract talent, even as the company continues to restructure its operations this year. Photo: Shutterstock
Art

Paris museum takes visitors back to birth of Impressionism via VR

Impressionism is 150 years old and to celebrate, the Orsay Museum in Paris invites visitors to travel back to the year the art movement began by putting on virtual-reality headsets.

Wearing VR headsets, visitors to Paris’ Orsay Museum are transported back to the dawn of Impressionism in 1874 Paris. Photo: AFP
Semiconductors

ByteDance invests in chip firm InnoStar as VR unit Pico faces Apple’s Vision Pro

ByteDance’s latest semiconductor-related investment shows the lengths being taken by the company to overcome the impact of tighter US tech sanctions on mainland China.

Apple

Xiaomi founder determined to make cars despite Apple’s EV exit

From Xiaomi to Xpeng, leading Chinese electric vehicle makers have expressed disbelief that Apple is ending its decade-long effort to build a car.

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