In November 2021 we presented our very first nextReality.Conference, the XRcon. If you missed the conference or want to rewatch the talks, you can find all the recordings on YouTube and in the details of the program 2021 with a click on the talk’s title.
The XRcon 2021 was hosted on Bizzlogic.
Frank Steinicke is a professor for Human-Computer Interaction at the Department of Informatics at the University of Hamburg. His research is driven by understanding the human perceptual, cognitive and motor abilities and limitations in order to reform the interaction as well as the experience in computer-mediated realities. Frank Steinicke regularly serves as panelist and speaker at major events in the area of virtual reality and human-computer interaction and is on the IPC of various national and international conferences. He serves as the program chair for IEEE VR 2017/2018, which is the most renowned scientific conference in the area of VR/AR. Furthermore, he is a member of the Steering committee of the ACM SUI Symposium and the GI SIG VR/AR, and currently editor of the IEEE Computer Graphics & Applications Department on Spatial Interfaces.
Frank Steinicke is a professor for Human-Computer Interaction at the Department of Informatics at the University of Hamburg. His research is driven by understanding the human perceptual, cognitive and motor abilities and limitations in order to reform the interaction as well as the experience in computer-mediated realities. Frank Steinicke regularly serves as panelist and speaker at major events in the area of virtual reality and human-computer interaction and is on the IPC of various national and international conferences. He serves as the program chair for IEEE VR 2017/2018, which is the most renowned scientific conference in the area of VR/AR. Furthermore, he is a member of the Steering committee of the ACM SUI Symposium and the GI SIG VR/AR, and currently editor of the IEEE Computer Graphics & Applications Department on Spatial Interfaces.
Peggy Schoenegge is an independent curator, writer and project manager at peer to space as well as chairwoman of the media art association in Berlin. Her work deals with the conditions and challenges of digitalization and its effects on our everyday life, society and culture. Specifically, she addresses gender, performance, and artificial intelligence by curating digital art, internet art and art with new media such as VR or AR in both real and virtual exhibition spaces. She gives lectures and participates in panel discussions internationally at conferences and events such as the VRHAM! Virtual Reality & Arts Festival, WISE Conference or for the Goethe-Institute. Currently she teaches at the University of Applied Sciences Darmstadt in expanded reality.
Peggy Schoenegge is an independent curator, writer and project manager at peer to space as well as chairwoman of the media art association in Berlin. Her work deals with the conditions and challenges of digitalization and its effects on our everyday life, society and culture. Specifically, she addresses gender, performance, and artificial intelligence by curating digital art, internet art and art with new media such as VR or AR in both real and virtual exhibition spaces. She gives lectures and participates in panel discussions internationally at conferences and events such as the VRHAM! Virtual Reality & Arts Festival, WISE Conference or for the Goethe-Institute. Currently she teaches at the University of Applied Sciences Darmstadt in expanded reality.
Nikolai Bockholt is a Creative Technologist at Google.
He is working in the European Innovation Team of “Creative Works” where is responsible for consulting Google’s biggest clients in projects leveraging emerging technologies.
With over 20 years of experience in digital advertising and technology-based projects, he worked for international clients like Netflix, Google, Zalando, BMW, Red Bull and many more. He also is leading the AR/VR focus group at the BVDW.
Nikolai Bockholt is a Creative Technologist at Google.
He is working in the European Innovation Team of “Creative Works” where is responsible for consulting Google’s biggest clients in projects leveraging emerging technologies.
With over 20 years of experience in digital advertising and technology-based projects, he worked for international clients like Netflix, Google, Zalando, BMW, Red Bull and many more. He also is leading the AR/VR focus group at the BVDW.
Cofounder of the NPO Women in immersive Technologies Europe(WIIT), and member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council for VR/AR Sara is collaboratively constructing and exploring VR experiences since 2013. A background in communication arts & interactive media and in love with the idea of new worlds, Sara is on a mission to go beyond the status quo of what immersive virtual realities are and explore their diverse potentials for the future. Driven by the quest to create deep immersion in her experiences the Berlin based futurist is exploring new interaction concepts as well as experimental ways of storytelling. By creating immersive installations Sara is working with sensors, haptics and the intersection between algorithms and real worlds.
Cofounder of the NPO Women in immersive Technologies Europe(WIIT), and member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council for VR/AR Sara is collaboratively constructing and exploring VR experiences since 2013. A background in communication arts & interactive media and in love with the idea of new worlds, Sara is on a mission to go beyond the status quo of what immersive virtual realities are and explore their diverse potentials for the future. Driven by the quest to create deep immersion in her experiences the Berlin based futurist is exploring new interaction concepts as well as experimental ways of storytelling. By creating immersive installations Sara is working with sensors, haptics and the intersection between algorithms and real worlds.
The creative XR specialist is managing director of Saint Elmo’s Experiential and has been responsible for innovative solutions in content marketing and branded entertainment at Saint Elmo’s Group since 2008. His vision is to use XR technologies to create digital scenographies that bring a new experiential dimension to brands and products. He has already managed several client projects with a focus on virtual formats, including, for example, an AR campaign for the U.S. bank Varo and the AR print edition of F.A.Z for the 30th anniversary of German unification.
The creative XR specialist is managing director of Saint Elmo’s Experiential and has been responsible for innovative solutions in content marketing and branded entertainment at Saint Elmo’s Group since 2008. His vision is to use XR technologies to create digital scenographies that bring a new experiential dimension to brands and products. He has already managed several client projects with a focus on virtual formats, including, for example, an AR campaign for the U.S. bank Varo and the AR print edition of F.A.Z for the 30th anniversary of German unification.
Maria Courtial is co-founder, CEO and producer of Faber Courtial, which she started with Jörg Courtial in 1998 after graduating in industrial design.
An open-minded future enthusiast, Maria was an early adopter of technology to unleash deep human emotions. Under her lead Faber Courtial evolved into a leading VR & VFX studio in Germany. Since 2014, Maria has been producing and co-directing award-winning immersive films and experiences that reimagine the world of entertainment, such as Volcanos, Gladiators in the Colosseum, Follow-me Rome, Into Space -1st Step & 2nd Step. Committed to delivering complex worlds in real time, the studio continues to embrace new VR techniques. GENESIS, the studio’s latest production, premiered at the 78th VFF and will later be published as 6DOF experience.
Maria Courtial is co-founder, CEO and producer of Faber Courtial, which she started with Jörg Courtial in 1998 after graduating in industrial design.
An open-minded future enthusiast, Maria was an early adopter of technology to unleash deep human emotions. Under her lead Faber Courtial evolved into a leading VR & VFX studio in Germany. Since 2014, Maria has been producing and co-directing award-winning immersive films and experiences that reimagine the world of entertainment, such as Volcanos, Gladiators in the Colosseum, Follow-me Rome, Into Space -1st Step & 2nd Step. Committed to delivering complex worlds in real time, the studio continues to embrace new VR techniques. GENESIS, the studio’s latest production, premiered at the 78th VFF and will later be published as 6DOF experience.
Eike Langbehn is Creative Re-Director & Managing Director of Curvature Games. He co-founded the VR studio together with Dennis Briddigkeit and Hannah Paulmann in 2020. Eike studied Computer Science and graduated with a PhD thesis about perceptual aspects of VR Locomotion. He has been working in the games industry as a programmer and game designer since 2012. Since March 2021, he is Professor for Media Informatics at HAW Hamburg and teaches game development, mixed reality and human-computer interaction.
Eike Langbehn is Creative Re-Director & Managing Director of Curvature Games. He co-founded the VR studio together with Dennis Briddigkeit and Hannah Paulmann in 2020. Eike studied Computer Science and graduated with a PhD thesis about perceptual aspects of VR Locomotion. He has been working in the games industry as a programmer and game designer since 2012. Since March 2021, he is Professor for Media Informatics at HAW Hamburg and teaches game development, mixed reality and human-computer interaction.
Saskia Groenewegen is the principal expert for immersive technologies at Ordina, and Microsoft MVP for Mixed Reality. She studied computer science and virtual reality, worked in R&D and as a software architect, and currently heads the XR team at Ordina. She loves to share her knowledge and is active as an international speaker, co-organizer of the Global XR Community, the Global XR Conference and the Mixed Reality User Group, and involved in organizing SIGGRAPH and several scientific conferences.
Saskia Groenewegen is the principal expert for immersive technologies at Ordina, and Microsoft MVP for Mixed Reality. She studied computer science and virtual reality, worked in R&D and as a software architect, and currently heads the XR team at Ordina. She loves to share her knowledge and is active as an international speaker, co-organizer of the Global XR Community, the Global XR Conference and the Mixed Reality User Group, and involved in organizing SIGGRAPH and several scientific conferences.
Gabs is the co-founder of immersive entertainment company vrisch and the founder of Austria’s biggest community of XR professionals and enthusiasts XRVienna. At vrisch she focuses on improving people’s lives by helping them learn, understand, and have fun through purposeful XR. Through XRVienna, she helps both XR creators and users to have an egalitarian, respectful, and cozy platform for dialog and knowledge exchange.
Gabs has been working in the field of technology and advertising since 2002, adding VR to her work in 2013. In 2018, Forbes selected her as one of Europe’s top 20 Women Founders.
Gabs is the co-founder of immersive entertainment company vrisch and the founder of Austria’s biggest community of XR professionals and enthusiasts XRVienna. At vrisch she focuses on improving people’s lives by helping them learn, understand, and have fun through purposeful XR. Through XRVienna, she helps both XR creators and users to have an egalitarian, respectful, and cozy platform for dialog and knowledge exchange.
Gabs has been working in the field of technology and advertising since 2002, adding VR to her work in 2013. In 2018, Forbes selected her as one of Europe’s top 20 Women Founders.
Spatial Network Evangelist Andy Fidel creates social experiences for remote communities. Founder of #GetSocial, a digital network for emerging technology enthusiasts and creators. Our team has produced over 1,000 events across the multiverse with the aim to engage people in future conversations. We host fireside chats, summits, conference extensions, and experiential hangouts for community and enterprise. Making local conversations, global discussions.
Andy studies the impact of VR/AR on digital communications and what the future holds for human connection. Exploring the social side of immersive reality.
Spatial Network Evangelist Andy Fidel creates social experiences for remote communities. Founder of #GetSocial, a digital network for emerging technology enthusiasts and creators. Our team has produced over 1,000 events across the multiverse with the aim to engage people in future conversations. We host fireside chats, summits, conference extensions, and experiential hangouts for community and enterprise. Making local conversations, global discussions.
Andy studies the impact of VR/AR on digital communications and what the future holds for human connection. Exploring the social side of immersive reality.
Mate is a Product Design Prototyper at Meta. With years of experience in the creative sector, Mate has a proven track record in the Animation and Advertising Industries. His deep understanding of the technology paired with a unique creative vision makes him the perfect partner in all things design.
Prior to joining Meta, Mate was running the Berlin office of the Production Company SEHSUCHT. Previously, he worked as Creative Director for PSYOP in New York as well as for Juan Dela Mata in Madrid. He is also a member of the Art Director’s Club.
Mate is a Product Design Prototyper at Meta. With years of experience in the creative sector, Mate has a proven track record in the Animation and Advertising Industries. His deep understanding of the technology paired with a unique creative vision makes him the perfect partner in all things design.
Prior to joining Meta, Mate was running the Berlin office of the Production Company SEHSUCHT. Previously, he worked as Creative Director for PSYOP in New York as well as for Juan Dela Mata in Madrid. He is also a member of the Art Director’s Club.