This Week in Virtual Reality, 6 February 2017

This week’s top Virtual Reality stories: the Super Bowl, a trip to Mars, a music video, and more!

Virtual Reality is one of the most exciting new areas of technology, and for good reason. VR offers amazing experiences for users and creators both, and growth in the space is incredible. New products, new technologies, new experiences, and best of all, new jobs! Did you know that Virtual reality job openings are up 800% year-over-year? It’s true!

With so much going on in this fast-moving field, it can be hard to keep up. That’s why we created “This Week in Virtual Reality.” Each week we publish a curated list of Virtual Reality stories as a resource to help you keep pace. New posts will be published here first, and previous posts are archived on the Udacity blog. So, whether you’re currently enrolled in our VR Developer Nanodegree program, already working in the field, or just pursuing a burgeoning interest in the subject, there will always be something here to inspire you!

Sports

Virtual reality takes on a starring role at Super Bowl LI, from an on-site VR experience booth for attendees to a highlights broadcast to the FOX Sports VR app.

Arts

Four abstract paintings from famed late artist Zaha Hadid are translated into virtual reality experiences at the Serpentine Sackler Gallery in London.

Category 3

A collaboration with the Houston Super Bowl Host Committee creates a virtual trip to Mars that debuts at the Super Bowl, culminating with a landing on the 50-yard-line.

Technology

Koei Tecmo creates a “five sense” virtual reality arcade booth similar to a 4D theater, immersing viewers not only with sight and sound, but also with smell, touch, and taste.

Industry

Nanalyze recounts the biggest rounds of funding in the virtual reality industry in 2016, starring Unity’s $181 million and nine other companies with over $20 million each.

Entertainment

British R&B singer Samphas releases a virtual reality music video for his single “(No One Knows Me) Like the Piano”, from the perspective of the pianist.