Verizon has announced the winners of its 5G challenge to come up with new ideas with first-place going to Ario, a company that developed an augmented reality (AR) productivity platform that will run on Verizon’s 5G network.
5G, the next-generation cellular communication, will improve the AR platform’s performance with advanced connectivity and improved image recognition, Verizon said. Ario was awarded $1 million and will be given access to Verizon’s 5G network at the company’s 5G Labs and partner with Verizon 5G specialists to develop the concept.
The second-place winner was Garou, the developer of a virtual reality (VR) content platform to leverage a 3D model of the world as an interface for accessing content and for in-VR social interaction. Receiving a $500,000 prize for its development, Garou will use the 5G network to improve VR technology in a multi-user setting and help users access content in real time.
Third place was awarded to LexSet, which generates synthetic image data from 3D content to train high-performance computer vision artificial intelligence. LexSet was awarded $250,000 and will use the 5G network to enable advances in edge-based mixed reality, robotics and inventory management.
“By bringing these companies into our 5G Labs, where we collaborate with universities, startups and enterprises to co-create 5G concepts, we’re giving them access to all the tools they need to create truly transformational experiences that will reshape entire industries,” said Nicki Palmer, chief product development officer at Verizon.
