Hot idea
Consider inserting eye-catching animations or engaging presentations in your virtual event to prevent online fatigue
Brief
The Global Virtual • Reality Conference is an annual gathering of global industry leaders and experts in technology who discussed trends and industrial applications in relation to virtual reality (VR), augmented reality and artificial intelligence.
In light of international travel restrictions imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the fifth edition was switched into a virtual format this year. This was the first time the conference had departed from its physical format.
Migu Video Technology thus entrusted Pico+ to develop a virtual exhibition solution, where the brief was to create an immersive and interactive experience for the audience.
Highlights
The two-day conference comprised a virtual launch event and an exhibition that showcased how VR has been used in the different industries, its innovative practical applications and state of development.
There was also a signing ceremony to cement collaboration efforts between Migu Video Technology and several other companies. All of the signees were invited to the virtual stage – and although they were scattered across the globe in reality – they simultaneously pressed interactive buttons to kickstart the signing.
Participants entered the exhibition either via VR headsets, or experienced the venues in panoramic ultra-high definition via mobile phone or television screens.
Cherry Ye, general manager, business operation of Pico+ China, said: “The virtual conference gathered more than 60 industry experts from 10 countries. Each guest was represented by an avatar and delivered keynote speeches and dialogues as though present in person.”
For example, the avatars could move freely in the virtual space, and could even give micro expressions and gestures. Audience members could also react by clapping, standing up, or waving their hands. Visitors to the exhibition were also guided by virtual brand ambassadors.
“We created solutions that were able to mimic the realism of a physical event as much as possible. To this end, we used avatars with micro-expressions and gestures, and provided virtual attendees with options to provide real-time feedback”, shared Ye.
Challenges
Ye shared that the team only had less than two weeks to develop the solutions, although she said it was not “unusual” at that juncture.
Although the virtual format allowed connections between attendees and speakers, one key challenge was to ensure the audience remained engaged and energised throughout the event.
“It is just as easy for them to leave as it is for them to join the virtual event,” noted Ye.
As such, the team aimed to minimise drop-off rate by injecting visual and audio, where announcements of collaboration programmes and product introductions were augmented with vivid animations to keep the audience attention.
Event The 5th Global Virtual • Reality Conference
Organiser Migu Video Technology
Dates May 17-18, 2020
Attendance 420,000 logins accumulated from the first day of the conference (May 17), until the end of May
