Technology is developing and changing at an extremely rapid rate. As the United Kingdom seeks to further develop its creative and technological industries, the UK Government has announced an investment of up to £33 million (GBP) in areas including virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR).
The announcement forms part of the Government’s Industrial Strategy, which includes plans to grow the artificial intelligence and data-driven economy. It is anticipated that this will provide opportunities for UK-based businesses to create new immersive apps, tools and experiences.
New funding initiative was announced by Business Secretary Greg Clark, and aims to draw on the expertise of UK experts in research, creative media and industry to transform products and services over the next twenty years.
Those funded through the Industrial Strategy Fund will be challenged to create products and services by adopting and developing immersive technologies to grow the UK’s market in creative content.
The funding will be invested in three areas:
- A demonstrator programme that will fund creative industry to create new immersive experiences and test them on large-scale audiences
- Research and development projects into audience perceptions and behaviours with the aim of producing better immersive content.
- A new centre to develop cutting-edge creative training and research programmes in immersive storytelling.
The funding programme will run through 2018 and 2019. Various opportunities for businesses to apply for the funding will be provided over the next two years. This will be made available through UK Research and Innovation, which brings together seven research councils, along with Innovate UK and Research England.
Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Matt Hancock, said: “Our creative industries will help develop the talent of the future, ensure people are rightly rewarded for their creative content and give our firms the support they need to compete on the global stage.”
Further information can be found on the UK Government website. For continued coverage on funding opportunities for VR technology, keep checking back with VRFocus.
via Mint VR