Exploring Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality Technologies - DEMO'S

Technology of all types is advancing at a rapid pace including Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) - and their integration with mobile / wireless technologies. Lately both AR and VR have been getting a lot of media attention and promising tremendous growth, with significantly increased capabilities. But do we really have an understanding of what these technologies are, what they're capable of, and how they might impact the way we use mobile/wireless technologies moving forward? For most of us the answer is probably not.

To help us get a better understanding of both AR and VR, Mobile Monday Detroit has invited experts from Michigan and Canada to demonstrate their technology and let us actually experience what everyone is talking about! Want to get your hands on some cool technology? Tonight's the night!! We won't be doing any presentations at this event, everything will be hands-on so you can try out the technology, but of course the experts from each firm will be there to answer your questions.

The event is FREE to attend, but advance registration is required. Refreshments will be served courtesy of our host, RIIS LLC. Free parking is available on-site.

Mobile Monday Detroit is sponsored by the Mobile Technology Association of Michigan (http://gomobilemichigan.org/) and RIIS LLC (http://www.riis.com/).

EQUIPMENT TO BE AVAILABLE:

(multiple pieces of several of these items will be available)

• Oculus DK2

• Google Cardboard

• Oculus Rift

• HTC Vive

• Microsoft HoloLens

• Samsung Gear VR

• Immy N.E.O. iC60

• possibly more

DEMONSTRATORS INCLUDE:

• Ali Al-Aasm, Co-founder, Red Piston Inc.

• Dominic Chiudioni, Product Manager / Vinh Chu, Technology Director / Kristin Hope, Marketing Strategist, PIXO Group

• Sam Harrell, Research Director - Media Labs, NBC Universal

• Salvatore (Sam) Vilardi, VP of Product Development, Immy Inc. / Justin Kirkegaard, Software Engineer, Immy Inc.

• David Pollock, Managing Director, Kitestring Visuals

DEMONSTRATOR BIOS:

Ali Al-Aasm, Red Piston

Ali graduated from the University of Windsor, with a degree in Computer Science and has accumulated over 15 years of experience in technical development of Web sites, mobile applications and desktop applications.

Ali started his career at BBDO doing development work for the Chrysler Jeep Dodge brands in Canada. In this role, Ali developed both the technical architecture and content management solutions for the brand websites, as well as dozens of promotional microsites and contests, with focus on security, data integrity and scalability.

In his spare time while at BBDO Windsor, Ali started to focus on iPhone app development. One of his apps - Handyman Sidekick - was featured in Best iPhone Apps, A Guide for Discriminating Downloaders by O'Reilly Press, as well as in the New York Times.

When FIAT acquired Chrysler and subsequently dismissed BBDO, Ali and his partners Jakub Koter and Andy Kale started Red Piston, a mobile-centric creative agency. Six years later Red Piston has grown to 18 people, and can count many Fortune 500 companies among their clients including: Lowe's Canada, MGAE and Mercedes-Benz Financial Services. The company also evolved to become the premier Augmented Reality provider and a preferred part of Qualcomm, and is excited to be developing for next generation of AR and mixed reality devices like Microsoft Hololens.

Dominic Chiudioni, PIXO Group

Dominic has been at PIXO Group for more than 5 years. He started as a sound designer and music composer, and has progressed into the role of Product Manager. He currently oversees product development from conception to launch, as well as marketing outreach. He graduated from Cuyahoga Community College with a degree in Recording Arts & Sciences. He is an avid learner and reader, loves emerging tech, and is a foodie.

Vinh Chu, PIXO Group

Vinh is the Technology Director of PIXO Group. Chu graduated from Western Michigan University with a degree in Computer Science in 2000. He worked for Midway Games for 9 years, where he was credited on titles such as NFL Blitz and NBA Ballers, before coming to PIXO Group in 2010. He enjoys playing games, especially Street Fighter, and is known for his stylish collection of hoodies.

Kristin Hope, PIXO Group

Kristin is the Marketing Strategist for PIXO Group where she oversees all media, communications and marketing efforts for PIXO Group. From editing software for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt to producing a monthly travel magazine on Silicon Valley, her experience is varied in all facets of media. She graduated from San Francisco State University with a Liberal Studies degree in 2009. Hope enjoys British mysteries, copious amounts of coffee and hates socks.

Sam Harrell, NBC Universal

Sam Harrell is a Research Director at NBC Universal's Media Labs. Media Labs is a technology innovation team that works on cutting edge tech including AR, VR, IoT, AI, and more. Sam has been developing software for nearly 20 years and has launched multiple technology startups.

Salvatore Vilardi

Salvatore Vilardi is the V.P. of Product Development of Immy Inc. In addition, Salvatore is the founder of Engineering4Life LLC., Disegnarlo LLC., and a partner at SoulArc Boards LLC. Salvatore brings over 18 years of practice in the engineering/product development industry with prior experience including Bissell, Milsco MFG., Steelcase, and Stryker. Salvatore has demonstrated extensive knowledge servicing engineering and product development needs in the Automotive, Furniture, Consumer goods, and Medical fields. Salvatore has extensive experience bringing personally-designed products to market.

Salvatore joined Immy Inc. in 2010. Since that time he has been immersed in the AR/VR market. The market has radically changed over the last couple years which have positioned Salvatore in a unique role to be a leader among his peers. Salvatore has had the fortune of meeting with many of the large players in the field which has given him a wide view of the market opportunity along with the various market approaches from the various players in the field.