Partners innovate with augmented  and mixed reality 

Learn more about Microsoft’s mixed reality technology, HoloLens 2, and  how mixed reality empowers Canadian developers. They are drawn to the innovative aspects such as the IoT,  xtended/mixed reality, augmented reality, virtual reality, artificial intelligence.

Canadian developers are leveraging holograms and mixed reality in highly creative ways. They innovate with purpose, bringing actionable solutions to market, and solving business and customer needs.  

Canadian developers wow the world

Kognitiv Spark:  Enabling Remote work for the Canadian Navy 

Kognitiv Spark, an industrial-grade remote support tools company, leverages HoloLens 2 to create a mixed reality remote worker support system used by the Royal Canadian Navy. Kognitiv Spark’s solution facilitates the delivery of task-relevant knowledge enabling ship operations, repairs, and maintenance at port and at sea, as well as knowledge transfer. With RemoteSpark, Kognitiv Spark’s flagship application, the Royal Canadian Navy is saving time, reducing stress, and accelerating operational confidence. 

“3D interactive content is more easily interpreted than paper manuals, and therefore reduces any mental fatigue…under harsh and stressful conditions. Our software allows …better-informed decisions more rapidly, with all the information and resources possible in a secure system.” – Duncan McSporran, COO, Kognitiv Spark 

In 2020, the Royal Canadian Navy expanded the use of RemoteSpark AR remote support software. Read the Kognitive Spark press release. 

CAE:  Healthcare Simulations to improve patient  outcomes

CAE, a global leader in virtual flight training, applied their expertise to the healthcare profession. CAE partnered with Microsoft and used the HoloLens 2 to create mixed reality training applications for emergency care, a birthing simulator, ultrasound scanning, imaging, and diagnosis. 

Before the pandemic, healthcare companies clamored for solutions that improved healthcare safety and accelerated training, spurring the demand for new training modalities. The pandemic only heightened this need for more advanced training solutions. With HoloLens 2 and their custom applications, CAE meets the needs of healthcare customers for advanced training in spectacular fashion. 

You must see it to believe it. Visit this CAE video page on Vimeo for an amazing video of University of Tampa Department of Physician Assistant Medicine faculty and students experiencing CAE AresAR for Microsoft HoloLens 2 for the first time. 

vGIS:  Visualization for public utilities, construction, exploration and more… 

vGIS, the leading GIS Augmented Reality visualization platform, realizes the value in Geographic Information System and Building Integrated Modelling data held by large utilities and engineering firms. By partnering with Microsoft and leveraging HoloLens 2, vGIS delivers a custom mixed reality solution that renders and visualizes the data, so excavators can dig with far greater accuracy and confidence. 

When construction and repair crews or public works teams need to excavate, all kinds of practical challenges and safety issues occur. Traditionally, teams must interpret data and read maps to find/avoid water mains, gas lines, and other buried infrastructure and then search as they dig. This process can take a long time and result in human error, which in turn creates costly delays and traffic jams. 

Planning and construction is just one segment they service. vGIS also develops solutions for oil and gas exploration and utilities. The power and flexibility of HoloLens 2 saves their clients time and money by reducing error and delays, improving safety, simplifying fieldwork, and providing new insights in a truly innovative way. 

Check out vGIS in action in the City of Toronto. Visit this vGIS video page on YouTube for a demonstration of how their solution makes for a more productive, enjoyable, and safe working environment. 

Jump on this opportunity 

Capture the Market Opportunity:  A three-year Forrester study  found  independent software vendors using Azure to build mixed reality applications enjoyed very robust levels of software and services profit margin. With demand from 22.8 million employees as potential users, triple-digit growth forecast for the augment reality device market, and unlimited need for 3D content, now is the perfect time for more Canadian innovators to jump on this opportunity. 

Become a mixed reality partner:  stay ahead of the competition, show your trailblazing skills and expertise, and innovate in any number of new industries and scenarios. With unique Azure mixed reality services such as Spatial Anchors, Azure Object Anchors, and Azure Remote Rendering, your team has the right tools to succeed. Join the Mixed Reality Partner Program | Microsoft HoloLens 

All about HoloLens 2 

HoloLens 2 is a self-contained computer comprising a mixed reality head-mounted smartglass display unit. Its ergonomic design provides improved comfort for longer wear, an enhanced immersive experience due to easier text readability and superior resolution of visual details, instinctual manipulation of holograms, and freedom to easily move with Wi-Fi connectivity. Additionally, every HoloLens 2 benefits from Microsoft’s world-class AI and cloud security, reliability, and scalability. 

Try a HoloLens pilot project 

Thinking about getting into mixed/augmented reality, but not certain where to start? Here are three ways to get going: 1) Become a technology partner; 2) Register in the Mixed Reality developer program; or 3) Join the Mixed Reality Partner Program (MRPP).  

Join the Mixed Reality Partner Program | Microsoft HoloLens 

In December, Microsoft announced availability of HoloLens 2 Development Edition in Canada. With HoloLens 2 Development Edition, you can get started building mixed reality applications quickly. The benefits include $500 in Azure Credits, a Unity Pro 3-month trial, and a 3-month Pixyz Plugin trial. Visit the pricing page for more. 

Once you chose a path, what will your first project be? We recommend that you start with a pilot project that extends an existing product into augmented or holographic visualization—just imagine the possibilities! 

Microsoft makes it easy. These videos show how to start developing with HoloLens2 and offer all the information about Mixed Reality in one place.