5 Projects Combining AR and Blockchain

Fred Ehrsam, co-founder of the popular cryptocurrency exchanges Coinbase and GDAX, believes that virtual reality could be blockchain’s “killer app”. The Merkle decided to list those projects which are combining these two swiftly advancing technologies.

Decentraland

Decentraland’s blockchain-based world redefines the concept of blockchain data as a form of ownership. As the “first virtual platform owned by its users”, Decentraland wants its users to grab a VR headset and use a web browser to immerse themselves in a 3D interactive world.

On the Decentraland platform, LAND ownership is maintained via Ethereum smart contracts. Each parcel has unique (x,y) coordinates, an owner, and a reference to the content description file. The reference points to files that render the content for each parcel, stored on the battle-tested BitTorrent and Kademlia DHT networks.

Decentraland foresees a virtual world in which new content can be spatially explored and discovered.

Indiesquare

Indiesquare created Bitcoin VR, a game on the Steam VR gaming marketplace. Bitcoin VR enables players to walk around the Bitcoin blockchain – denoted by vector-esque graphics – and see transactions processed through their headsets. The simulation of live Bitcoin transactions takes place in a setting called “Forest of Satoshi”, and players can even prune the network with a bow and arrow.

Using the first VR Bitcoin block explorer, geeky Bitcoiners can now see a real-time Bitcoin transaction happen in VR. The Bitcoin transactions fall from the sky in the form of gems, and one can either grab them to see transaction details or shoot them with a bow and arrow.

Voxelus

This single multiplayer VR game takes place in a 3D environment. Gamers can hold 3D assets on the Voxelus marketplace called Voxels. These convertible digital assets can be converted into cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ether on the Uphold platform. The digital token unit, earned by uploading content and selling it on the marketplace, can even be used to buy equity stake in a company. Voxelus was co-founded by serial entrepreneur Halsey Minor, who also started CNET and Salesforce.com. He wants Voxels (VOX) to even be used to buy equity in privately-held Voxelus Inc.

AR Token

This decentralized AR/VR ecosystem for the exchange of 3D content was launched by a well-known player in the space, Cappasity. This company is known for 3D digitizing audits, as well as applications for augmented and virtual reality. Cappasity is building a platform to enable AR/VR/3D content generation. Each content file is assigned an ID or a hash stored on the blockchain to prevent copyright infringement. Once a content transaction has been completed, its details will be processed to a smart contract protocol.

Nanome (Matryx)

Nanome’s main business is the design of VR interfaces for its pharmaceutical clients. It’s based at the University of California at San Diego, and its Calcflow, Nano-Pro, and Nano-One products are already in use by the world’s largest research and development labs.

The company is hoping to bring its suite of VR products to the blockchain with its decentralized collaboration platform, Matryx. MTX tokens will incentivize collaboration on the platform. The company’s early focus is on the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

A pharmaceutical company, university or government will be able to post a bounty on the Matryx platform. Users can then find or be assigned the bounty in VR, and design and submit solutions. The winning designer will be compensated at the end of each competition-style round. The pharmaceutical company and solution designer will share in the revenue.

There is lots going on in the world of virtual reality and blockchain. There’s even a group dedicated to the topic on Facebook.