Our content partner TechNode presents their top virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) stories for 2016.
China is a country of early adopters and the VR/AR industry is no different. From arcades to humanity’s greatest obsessions, from this year’s biggest disappointment to Korean startups, we present you with the top VR and AR stories from our site this year.
1. Virtual Reality Arcades Are Taking Off In Shanghai
Shanghai is the home for most VR arcades in China. A quick search of VR Arcade (虚拟现实体验馆) or VR (虚拟现实) on Dazhong Dianping show that Shanghai has 101 VR experience sites, while Beijing has 55, Guangzhou has 22, and Shenzhen has 16. China’s VR arcades are attracting the middle class of young, tech-savvy Chinese people and are becoming a test bed for overseas VR games.
2. Sex Tech Is Entering Virtual Reality In China
Concentrated investment has led to a boom in China’s ‘smart’ product innovation – including sex tech. Chinese online sex product retailer Chunshuitang invested 10 million RMB (1.5 million USD) in R&D to put adult VR products on the shelves. “A virtual reality-created lover can be a good partner without having to break the current relationship,” the founder and CEO of Chunshuitang, Lin Degang told TechNode.
3. Secretive Alibaba-Backed Magic Leap Is Suing Its Staff And Making Robots
Alibaba and Google-backed augmented reality startup Magic Leap filed a lawsuit against two former employees, claiming they worked on proprietary robotics technology while building a similar project outside the company for over a year. The company is working on a VR-style headset and imaging technology that allows users to overlay high-quality 3D imagery onto real life scenes.
4. Insta360 Nano Can Open Consumer Generated Content Market VR Industry
The Insta360 Nano is an entry-level piece of hardware for the VR and AR industry. Users can download the Insta360 official app and place the Nano camera on their smartphone to start shooting a 360 ° panoramic video. Users can also try out VR viewing mode by placing their phone into a VR HMD to experience the live feel of 360 °.
5. Meet Some Of The Best VR Headsets Coming Out Of China Right Now
This post compares the experience and specs of HTC Vive, Baofeng Magic Glass, LeEco Super Helmet 3D VR Head-Mounted Glasses, and DeePoon M2.
6. Here Are Seven Startups From South Korea’s Thriving VR Scene
South Korea is a hotbed for VR technology and VR content, powered by the country’s major hardware tech brands and entertainment industry that includes K-pop and Korean dramas. This post features seven Korean VR companies; three VR technology companies providing a 3D video product system, a 360-degree audio solution, a facial expression recognition, three VR content companies and a VR motion controller company.
— A version of this article first appeared on TechNode.
