Latest news with #virtualReality
Khaleej Times
01-07-2025
- Health
- Khaleej Times
How this UAE-based VR tech helps cancer patients regain mental strength
For many cancer patients, the hardest part begins when treatment ends. The pain may linger, but it's the psychological toll — the fear, the anxiety, the loss of direction, that often proves more enduring. A UAE-based startup, X-Technology, is now offering a form of support that doesn't come in a pill or a counselling session, but through a virtual reality headset. "We don't work with cancer, we work with the psyche," says Nargiz Noimann-Zander, the founder of X-Technology. "We don't treat the diagnosis. We help with what the diagnosis does to a person's emotional state." Through immersive VR-based exercises, the system invites users to externalise and confront their fears. Wearing a headset, the user is transported in one of their games into a galactic scene where two spheres float in space. The instruction is simple but surreal: place the same fear inside both spheres using only your mind. Then, focus until the spheres collide in an explosion of virtual stardust. "You need to try to hold the fear inside each sphere and make them come closer," David, CTO of X-Technology and Nargiz's son explains. "When they come close, you see a flow. That means you're on the right track. It's all mind-driven." A new frontier in emotional support Nargiz has spent over 25 years at the intersection of psychology, neuroscience, and technology. A certified expert in psychosomatics, coaching, NLP and clinical psychology, she began experimenting with tech-based therapy as far back as 1997. Her motivation was deeply personal. "One of my sons had serious heart issues when he was a child, and that's when I started looking into using computer games as a gentle way to support healing," she shared in the interview. That moment marked the beginning of what would become decades of innovation in psychotechnology. "Our story began long before the X-Technology brand was born," she says. "Back in 1997, we founded the Health Centre — a space where doctors, psychologists, and neuroscientists came together to find gentle, science-backed ways to help people heal." Between 1999 and 2003, her team focused on biofeedback-based methods to better understand psychophysiological states. From 2003 to 2009, they started experimenting with computer games not as entertainment, but as tools for emotional and cognitive support. "On modest Pentium systems, we built the very first prototypes of game-based interventions," she recalls. The concept matured from 2009 to 2017 as they combined gaming with biofeedback and real patient experience. In 2017, the transition to VR opened new doors, offering deeply immersive, personalised environments for therapy and recovery. By 2019, AI, virtual assistants, and digital twins became part of the equation. Today, the result is a platform that is being used in clinics, educational settings, and corporate wellness programmes around the world. Importantly, the devices are not connected to the internet. "We're very worried about the data," David says. "We don't connect to Wi-Fi or the cloud. Everything is stored offline inside the headset. I don't want anybody to know what's happening in my brain." Tackling the emotional aftermath of illness Professor Sam Abuomar, Director of the Artificial Intelligence Master's Programme at Lewis University and a visiting professor at the American University of Sharjah, is currently leading a study on the impact of X-Technology's platform on patients undergoing cancer recovery and those with chronic illnesses. "The VR experience has a positive impact because it emulates certain emotional states or past experiences," he explains. "Especially for high-risk patients — those with conditions like cancer or those undergoing chemotherapy — this type of immersive support can improve their emotional and psychological well-being." The mental skills it targets include memory, emotion, and trauma processing. In one future iteration, the system might be tailored to mimic a user's past experiences — working in a factory, being with family — to evoke comforting familiarity. "In our literature review, we came across about 15 studies conducted between 2020 and 2025," says Abuomar. "All of them showed promising results. For example, a 2023 Cleveland Clinic study on 52 cancer patients using interactive therapeutic VR reported significant reduction in depression. Another European study in 2025 on surgical patients found a significant reduction in intraoperative pain." Although their current study is in early stages, Abuomar and his students have begun testing with a sample of 10 patients. Their goal is to compare results between traditional therapy and VR-based support. "If this proves successful, it could be a big step for this kind of tech-based mental health intervention," he adds. Real users, real effects Maria Efimova, 34, a clinical psychologist based in Moscow, has been using the headset for more than two years. She was one of the first to experiment with early versions of the system and now incorporates it into her own practice. "The benefits have been tremendous," she says. "I've seen a significant reduction in anxiety, fears of public speaking, and constant worrying. When I face health-related stress or even physical pain, this is the first thing I turn to. It's like having a coach on call.' Efimova uses two main programmes: one for dissolving fears and another for working with body-related projections. "My mother uses them too. I often recommend it to my clients. Even after one session, I feel less tension and more calmness." A deeply personal mission For Nargiz, the journey is about more than just innovation — it's about restoring humanity to healing. In addition to leading international research centres and authoring nine books, she is also the mother of eight children and grandmother of three. "When future technologies meet a deep understanding of human consciousness, we access a whole new level of self-awareness and possibility," she says. Her mission is clear: to merge science and technology with empathy, helping people across the world not just survive illness, but rebuild emotionally and psychologically. "It's not about fighting the disease. It's about helping people face what it does to their mind and soul - and giving them the tools to rise again."
CTV News
26-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
New Brunswick to spend $500K in support of new nursing education project
Health Minister John Dornan is pictured trying a virtual reality station at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton on June 26, 2025. (CTV Atlantic / Avery MacRae) The New Brunswick government is spending $500,000 to help the University of New Brunswick (UNB) create an extended reality education model for nursing students. The money will be spread out over three years and will go towards supporting the infrastructure, equipment and setup of the extended reality education model which will begin this September. 'This innovative enhancement will replicate real-world clinical experiences that students will face as registered nurses,' said Health Minister John Dornan in a news release from the province. 'This project will allow for powerful immersive learning experiences to meet students' learning needs and ensure New Brunswick continues to recruit and retain high-quality, qualified nurses for our workforce.' The extended reality education model can closely replicate clinical settings, and the province says it will enable students to 'acquire and refine their skills in a safe environment before applying them to real-life experiences.' University of New Brunswick The University of New Brunswick campus is pictured in Fredericton, N.B., on June 26, 2025. (CTV Atlantic / Avery Mac Rae) The clinical experience will include a simulation suite, medication administration suite, and 14 virtual reality stations at UNB's Fredericton and Moncton campuses. 'UNB's faculties are in the business of finding innovative ways to integrate new technologies in the classroom to elevate the experience and education of our students,' said Paul Mazerolle, the university's president and vice-chancellor. 'Having a devoted space with the technology to give students clinical experience before they go into clinical placements will be beneficial to our students, patients and the health-care system as a whole.' For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kopin Corporation (KOPN) Advances NeuralDisplay Technology for AR/VR Experiences
Kopin Corporation (NASDAQ:KOPN) is one of the 12 best augmented reality stocks to buy, according to analysts. On June 3, the company confirmed significant progress in developing the NeuralDisplay technology. The company confirmed it has achieved significant hardware and software milestones that should lead to a prototype that enhances augmented and virtual reality experiences. The new hardware prototype comes with OLED technology integrated with MicroLED compatibility, which can strengthen eye image capturing. On the software front, the prototype features automatic vergence adjustments that align with the user's gaze and depth perception to enable viewing experiences. Advancements in hardware and software with the AI-powered NeuralDisplay technology should allow Kopin to make augmented reality and virtual reality solutions more user-friendly. Kopin Corporation (NASDAQ:KOPN) develops and provides high-performance, application-specific optical solutions for augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) products, focusing on microdisplays, display modules, and related components. While we acknowledge the potential of KOPN as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 11 Best Performing Warren Buffett Stocks in 2025 and 12 Best Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Stocks to Buy. Disclosure: None. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
TechCrunch
06-06-2025
- Business
- TechCrunch
2025 will be a ‘pivotal year' for Meta's augmented and virtual reality, says CTO
Meta CTO Andrew 'Boz' Bosworth, who was one of the company's first 15 engineers, published a memo earlier this year forecasting that 2025 could be the year of greatness for Reality Labs, the company's augmented and virtual reality unit. Or, it would be the year when the metaverse goes down as a 'legendary misadventure.' These days, Boz appears to be leaning towards its potential for greatness. But, the market will be the final determinant. 'We'll judge at the end of the decade, but this does feel like the pivotal year,' Boz said Thursday during a Bloomberg Technology interview. Boz noted that Meta's Ray Ban AI glasses had been a breakthrough that excited both consumers and competitors. As of February, Meta has sold more than 2 million pairs since their October 2023 debut. Last fall, they outsold traditional Ray Bans, even before Meta rolled out AI features. Meanwhile, Google last month announced partnerships with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker to create smart glasses based on Android XR. Apple is also reportedly making a push to release smart glasses in 2026. 'Suddenly, we go from toiling in the realms of obscurity to being very much in the world with a product that is very attractive to consumers, and thus competitors,' Boz said. 'The clock has started on competition coming, and that just means that the progress we make in this year is of disproportionate value to any year before or after it closes.' Still, competition among other incumbents means nothing if the market doesn't adopt Meta's AR and VR products, which is what would drive the industry to standardize the technology. Techcrunch event Save $200+ on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Save $200+ on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Boston, MA | REGISTER NOW 'The market is actually, especially when it comes to hardware, a trailing indicator,' Boz said. 'So you look for early indicators. To some degree, you do have to have a level of confidence and taste in-house.' He said this was something he learned from Sheryl Sandberg, former chief operating officer at Meta. 'Sheryl used to always talk about how most companies don't fail because they got beaten by a competitor,' Boz said. 'Most companies fail because they didn't execute their own plan correctly. And so what I try to do with the team is really focus us, not so much on the competitive landscape as on [whether] we're executing to our standards.' The Meta CTO said the company has 'a set of ambitious plans for the year' that it is on track for. 'What we'll know by the end of the year is whether we executed on our plan or not,' said Boz. 'What we'll know in five years time is whether that was enough.'
Globe and Mail
03-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Meta Platforms Just Landed a U.S. Army Deal. Should You Buy META Stock Here?
Valued at a market cap of $1.63 trillion, Meta Platforms (META) is among the largest companies in the world. A social media giant, Meta owns and operates platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Threads, and Instagram. The tech stock went public in May 2012 and has returned more than 1,600% to shareholders since its initial public offering. Let's see if Meta stock is still a good buy in June 2025. Meta Platforms Continues to Expand Its Product Portfolio Last week, Meta and Anduril announced a partnership to develop augmented and virtual reality technology for the U.S. Army, marking a significant collaboration between the social media giant and Palmer Luckey's defense-tech startup. The partnership represents Meta's major push into government technology supply and a reunion with Luckey, who sold Oculus to Meta for $2 billion in 2014. The companies are developing EagleEye, a sensor-enhanced system that enhances soldiers' hearing and vision capabilities. They've jointly bid on an Army VR contract worth up to $100 million and plan to proceed with their partnership regardless of the contract outcome. The partnership follows Meta's November decision to make its Llama AI models available to government defense and national security applications. Anduril previously took over Microsoft's (MSFT) AR headset program with the Army in February and recently partnered with OpenAI on AI initiatives for national security missions. The companies position their collaboration as helping maintain America's 'technical edge' while potentially saving billions through dual-use commercial technology. Meta Posts a Strong Performance in Q1 2025 In Q1 2025, Meta increased sales by 16% year over year to $42.3 billion as the tech heavyweight showcased a successful transformation into an AI-first organization. Meta AI now serves nearly 1 billion monthly active users, making it the most widely used AI assistant globally. Chief Product Officer Chris Cox highlighted that improvements to recommendation systems have increased time spent on Facebook by 7%, Instagram by 6%, and Threads by an impressive 35% over the past six months. These engagement gains directly translate to enhanced monetization opportunities. Meta's advertising business benefits significantly from AI-powered improvements. The new Generative Ads Recommendation Model (GEM) has increased conversion rates by 5% on Facebook Reels, while 30% more advertisers are now utilizing AI creative tools. Meta's advertising revenue reached $41.4 billion, driven by improved targeting capabilities and AI-generated creative content. Meta's infrastructure investments reflect its commitment to maintaining its leadership in AI. The company raised its 2025 capital expenditure guidance to $64 billion to $72 billion, primarily for data centers and AI infrastructure. This includes plans for a 2-gigawatt data center to support frontier model training and development. Beyond core platforms, Meta's hardware initiatives show promise. Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses have seen a threefold increase in sales, demonstrating strong market demand for AI-enabled wearables. Meta's custom silicon efforts through MTIA are reducing inference costs for recommendation systems, with plans to expand into training workloads. Meta's open-source Llama models have achieved over 800 million downloads, establishing the company as a leader in accessible AI development while attracting top-tier talent and fostering ecosystem growth that ultimately benefits Meta's broader AI strategy. Is META Stock Overvalued? Analysts tracking Meta expect sales to rise from $164.5 billion in 2024 to $288 billion in fiscal 2029. Comparatively, adjusted earnings are forecast to expand from $23.86 per share to $41.38 per share in this period. Today, META stock trades at a forward price-earnings multiple of 25.5x, in line with its 10-year average. If the stock is priced at 20x forward earnings, it will trade around $830 in early 2029, indicating upside potential of nearly 25% from current levels.
