The European Photonics Industry Consortium (EPIC) and the VR/AR Association (VRARA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the goal of developing the photonics and augmented/virtual reality industries.
The agreement was signed on 28 August by EPIC's Carlos Lee and Philip Wogart of the VRARA Association (VRARA) during the EPIC World Photonics Technology Summit 2019 in Berlin.
The partnership will encourage direct contact and co-operation between the consortiums with the aim of supporting the development of an efficient and sustainable industry.
'There are so many facets of the photonics industry that have direct application to the advancement and adoption of immersive technologies, which is entirely our organisation’s goal and mission statement,' said Philip Wogart, executive director DACH of the VR/AR Association. 'To find the leading advocate in photonics with its trusted experts and leaders right here in Europe and whose tireless efforts to connect their own industry across the entire value chain, it makes perfect sense that our associations not only collaborate, but indeed connect members in business opportunities that accelerate both ecosystems.'
The VR/AR Association has more than 50 chapters around the world and a community of over 4,200 companies, developers, agencies, and universities involved in the AR/VR technology fields. This complements the interests of most of the 500 members of EPIC, which encompass the entire photonics value chain covering technology areas such as lighting, photovoltaics, photonics integrated circuits (PICs), optical components, lasers, sensors, imaging, displays, fibre optics and all other photonics related technologies.
'EPIC’s model of connecting the European photonics community worldwide is through collaboration and partnerships, and thereby integrating the industry and improving the workings of photonics ecosystems. The VR/AR community is developing very fast and with this partnership, we want to offer this community access to EPIC’s members leading to future collaborations between members,' said EPIC's Lee. 'Partnerships like this bring industries together and it’s good that the photonics industry is getting integrated and more organised.'.
