Status: Accepted
Can you demonstrate familiarity with any tools related to design or development for XR? If so, please list.
I have experience in developing augmented reality (AR) applications using ARKit, RealityKit, and Swift. Additionally, I have worked with Snapchat’s AR software, where I’ve created engaging filters and participated in their hackathon. Lastly, I’ve used Unity, developing an XR application for the ‘Immerse the Bay’ XR hackathon at Stanford University. While I wouldn’t consider myself an XR expert, I’ve gained valuable insights from my experiences, particularly at the ‘Immerse the Bay’ XR hackathon. I’m eager to continue learning and expanding my knowledge in this exciting field.
Our theme for 2024 is “Connection”. From letting people embody avatars that they connect with or even giving people the ability to feel closer to friends and family at great distance, Connection can mean different things to different people. What does Connection mean to you?
I’ve never thought about “Connection” this deeply before. In my personal opinion, distance doesn’t indicate connection, I can be in front of a stranger and that doesn’t mean we are connected. Connection is built from moments spent together, the more time you spend together more strings of connection are built. As someone who’s moved countries and states 8 times in 17 years, I can confidently say that no matter the distance as long as I can sit down and laugh with my friends we have a unseverable connection.
How do you think XR technologies can help us with “Connection”? (Long answer)
XR is focused on mixed reality, particularly mixing the virtual world with the real world. I believe technology has its limitations and we’ll never truly reach the level of being able to meet someone face to face as humans are unique and this level of connection is something that machines will never be able to replicate although to close the gap between this feeling of connection XR technology will allow us to spend time together as if we were face to face and build more strings of connection. I would love to work on a project along these lines as I have friends from all over the world, Michigan, Ontario, British Columbia, California, India, and the Middle East and this would truly be a life-changing experience for me.