Immersive Audio Award: A Highlight of the DIVR XR Science Award

What is the DIVR XR Science Award?

The DIVR XR Science Award is a prestigious accolade that celebrates exceptional contributions to the field of Extended Reality (XR) science.

This award is bestowed upon individuals or teams who have made groundbreaking advancements in XR technologies, including immersive audio. By pushing the boundaries of what is possible, these innovators are recognized for their commitment to excellence and their role in shaping the future of XR.

There are other awards in the space like the Grammy award for immersive audio album also relevant in the immersive space. But it’s about a music surround sound album of various artists and not XR with all it’s formats: VR, AR, 360 video. But maybe there are some connections to the best immersive audio album.

Experience cutting-edge surround sound research up close and for free!

The XR Science Award 2023 is a prestigious award that recognises cutting-edge research in the field of Extended Reality (XR). The event is organised by the German Institute for Virtual Realities (DIVR) and aims to recognise students for their outstanding achievements in XR research.

The contributions are characterised by innovative approaches, scientific excellence and the potential to revolutionise the use of XR technologies in various application areas.

The award is presented in seven categories. Winners not only receive recognition for their work, but also the opportunity to present their research to a wide audience of specialists, investors and the general public.

Each year, the award attracts top-class researchers, developers and experts from the XR community. As a result, it promotes a vivid discussion about the latest trends in virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR).

History and Significance

The DIVR XR Science Award boasts a rich history, tracing its roots back to the early days of XR research and development. Established to honor the trailblazing work of scientists and engineers, the award has evolved alongside the rapidly changing landscape of XR technology.

Despite these changes, its core mission remains steadfast: to celebrate innovation and excellence in XR science.

Regarded as one of the most prestigious honors in the XR community, the DIVR XR Science Award is highly esteemed by industry professionals and academics alike. Each year, a special ceremony is held to recognize the winners for their outstanding contributions.

This award not only highlights the importance of XR advancements but also inspires others to continue pushing the envelope in this dynamic field.

Discover the origins and importance of the award in the XR community.

Eligibility and Criteria

The DIVR XR Science Award is open to individuals or teams who have made significant strides in XR science. To be eligible, candidates must demonstrate:

• Originality and innovation in XR research and development

• Impact on the field of XR, including advancements in immersive audio and surround sound technologies

• A commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in XR

• Collaboration and knowledge-sharing with the broader XR community

A panel of esteemed judges, comprising leading experts in XR science, meticulously reviews nominations and selects winners based on these criteria. The judging process is both rigorous and transparent, ensuring that only the most deserving candidates are honored.

In recent years, the award has recognized notable figures such as Peter Gabriel for his pioneering work in immersive audio and surround sound technologies. Other winners have included researchers and engineers who have made significant advancements in areas like computer vision, machine learning, and human-computer interaction.

The DIVR XR Science Award stands as a testament to the power of innovation and collaboration within the XR community. By celebrating outstanding contributions to XR science, the award encourages others to explore new frontiers in this exciting and rapidly evolving field.

Learn who can participate and what it takes to win.

What is VRTonung doing there?

VRTonung, a leading company in the field of immersive audio, has been making waves in the industry with its innovative approaches.

Martin Rieger, an immersive mix engineer with extensive expertise in 3D audio, plays a pivotal role in their success. Their involvement in the XR Science Awards showcases their commitment to pushing the boundaries of audio technology.

3D Audio in Extendet Reality environments: Take your immersive audio XR experiences to the next level!

Want to create an exciting XR adventure? Don’t forget the transformative power of sound! Martin Rieger, founder of VRTonung, has extensive first-hand expertise in 3d audio. He understands the crucial role it plays in creating authentic immersive worlds. An immersive mastering engineer ensures the highest quality of 3D audio in XR projects.

Join Martin for his engaging presentation where you will experience how spatial audio can make all the difference in your XR projects. Together we will explore the countless ways 3D sound can enrich your XR work. Let’s realise the maximum potential of immersive audio experiences!

In addition to his role as an expert speaker, Martin will also have the honour of being part of the jury for the XR Science Awards. With his infectious enthusiasm and passion for 3D audio, he is undoubtedly the ideal choice! He will be able to offer valuable advice to the emerging talent. We are looking forward to an eventful and exciting day!

XR Science is not a Grammy Award – but highlights

Martin had the privilege of serving on a 16-member jury for Extended Reality (XR) innovations and it was an awe-inspiring journey of discovery and transformation. His mission? To seek out and honor the brightest stars in XR research—a mission that was nothing short of exhilarating.

Martin‘s personal Highlights as an immersive mastering engineer

🎓 We were inundated with remarkable bachelor’s and master’s theses and mind-blowing high-end XR experiences, each pushing the boundaries of innovation. The jury evaluated projects across many formats of XR technologies. As part of the jury, we faced the thrilling challenge of selecting the finest from an elite pool within a tight timeframe.

🥇The standout? A VR experience that shed light on the battle against ALS — a work of creativity, artistry, and technological brilliance that moved me to deliver an impromptu tribute. The storytelling was on point and what gave me goosebumps was how the hand tracking of the Meta Quest 2 was used. During the experience, the tracking got slower to simulate the muscle paralysis.

🙏 I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to recognizing talent within the XR research community and appreciate every effort that has been made to make this event happen. And for knowing about the importance of sound and inviting me!

Who is in for next year? #ExtendedReality #Research #Innovation #Jury #Storytelling