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2DIAMR – 2D Is Against My Religion!

Interview· 1 h 11 min

From fire scenes to Apple Vision Pro: the brutal truth about VR – Alex Harvey, RiVR

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Summary

Alex Harvey, co-founder of RiVR, went from Formula 1 game trailers to immersive training for fire investigation, crime scenes and blue-light services. He explains why most “VR” projects aren’t real VR, the difference between 360 video and true 3D capture, and what Apple Vision Pro and Meta’s HyperScape change.

Key ideas

  1. 1360 panoramas are not virtual reality; 3D180 capture is a different experience.
  2. 2Field training needs offline, secure, deployable VR systems.
  3. 3AR in heritage projects often fails when done for its own sake.
  4. 4Headset-based Gaussian splatting (HyperScape) lowers the barrier to capture.

Chapters

Full show notes

With Alex Harvey a co-founder of RiVRWe break down the real state of Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), 360 video, 3D180 capture, and Gaussian Splatting.This is not hype. This is field-tested XR.Alex shares how he moved from Codemasters (Formula 1 game trailers) into building immersive training systems for fire investigation, crime scenes, military use, and blue-light services. You will learn:-Why most “VR” projects are not real VR-The critical difference between 360 video and true 3D immersive capture-How 3D180 cameras (Canon dual fisheye) outperform standard 360 workflows-Why Augmented Reality is being misused in public-funded heritage projects-How Apple Vision Pro changes immersive communication-How Meta’s HyperScape enables Gaussian Splatting directly from a headset-How River built a synchronized VR training ecosystem (offline, secure, deployable in the field)The discussion covers:• Simulation theory and reality perception• Neural interfaces and immersive future hardware• 3D capture workflows (photogrammetry vs Gaussian splats)• Selling 3D assets through Sketchfab• Licensing 3D models into Puzzling Places• Why historical AR installations fail when done incorrectly• The economics behind XR hardware adoptionThis episode is essential for professionals in:XR / VR / AR development3D scanning and photogrammetryAEC and digital twin industriesTraining simulation designSpatial computing and Gaussian SplattingChapters:0:00:00 - Intro0:00:53 - Simulation theory and Quantum immortality0:13:20 - Harvey’s starts at Codemasters0:17:59 - Drone jobs and co-founding RiVR0:20:52 - Fire investigation in Virtual Reality and privacy issues0:29:14 - RiVR link and dedicated box of Virtual Reality goggles 0:34:20 - 3D camera and 180 vs 360 experience0:41:12 - Augmented reality vs 360° video through QR code0:46:51 - 360 panoramas are not a Virtual Reality0:47:33 - Apple Vision Pro video calls0:50:36 - Future of AR and VR gadgets and notifications overwhelm0:52:59 - Best feature of RayBan Meta glasses0:55:09 - Weird “business model” with dead pigeons on Sketchfab0:57:27 - 3D conference in Prague 4-5th May 2026 shoutout0:58:35 - Hyperscape from Meta Quest1:05:27 - Biggest FUGUP - Alex got arrested1:07:10 - Puzzling Places 3D Virtual Reality game


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