ARCHI - Augmented Reality Chicago

This month's Meetup features VR storytelling, mixed reality video capture, and Apple's new ARKit.

Augmented Reality (AR) is changing the way we interact with the world. AR technology has come a long way and is now coming into its own. It is up to developers, designers, entrepreneurs, scientists, educators, investors, artists, marketers, hackers, journalists, and more to bring the augmented reality experience to the world in innovative and engaging ways. Join us at ARCHI to show off your work, network with the vibrant Chicago community, exchange ideas and hear what others in the AR space are doing around the globe.

Schedule:

5:30 - 6:00: Networking and refreshments

6:00 - 6:30: Aaqib Usman: Creating mixed reality videos

The current standards for Virtual Reality videos usually portray a person with a headset walking around, flailing their arms aimlessly, accompanied by a shaky first-person point-of-view video. For those who have never tried VR, translating the concept that the point-of-view video represents the world the player is in isn’t as intuitive as you’d imagine. Mixed Reality solves this problem and is one of the most interesting ways to show people what a Virtual Reality experience feels like. In this session, Aaqib will showcase how to use a green screen and cameras to isolate the person wearing the headset and seamlessly composite that with a view from another camera in a virtual environment. The combined views of the two realities make up a Mixed Reality video, allowing viewers to visualize exactly what is being experienced inside of the headset.

ABOUT MIDWEST IMMERSIVE
Midwest Immersive creates emotional connections between brands and their audiences using Virtual Reality & Augmented Reality. Driven by a passion for storytelling and cutting-edge technology, Midwest Immersive creates experiences that associate brands with innovation.

ABOUT AAQIB USMAN
At the unique intersection of film, technology, and entrepreneurship, Aaqib is seeking to bring cutting edge immersive projects to life. With a background in Cinema Arts & Sciences from Chicago’s Columbia College, Aaqib has worked on some of the world’s largest films and commercials in both Hollywood and Bollywood. In his previous role as VP of Product at Georama, the first real-time virtual travel platform, Aaqib had been an indispensable asset in shaping the company's technology and strategy. In his current role as founder of Midwest Immersive, Aaqib has become an active leader in the Immersive Reality community in the Midwest.

6:30 - 7:00: Luc Lam: The Fruit Market - A VR Library Experience

Imagine if you could pick up a book and be transported to interactive, fully immersive chapters. This experience represents a prototype of what could be a new type of content able to help readers better connect with literature.

ABOUT LUC LAM
Luc Lam is CEO of Good Yeti, Inc., a VR marketing and promotions company. VR is almost impossible to explain without having tried. Luc is on a mission to make that first experience as easy as possible and to give people reasons to want to try it. He has a background in industrial design, consumer research and innovation management.

7:00 - 7:30: Patrick O'Shaughnessey - Demo of Apple's ARKit

Patrick will demo sample apps made using Apple's ARKit. If time allows, he may also show a quick rundown on building an ARKit app using Unity.

7:30 - onward... Member announcements and Networking

(Note: we have instituted a $5 reservation fee that is refundable upon arrival at the event or cancellation within 48 hours of event. This will help us to plan our venue accommodations. Thanks for abiding this practice that will better serve our growing community.)

Looking forward to seeing you!