Recently, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) launched a marsxr challenge on the crowdfunding platform herox, requiring participants to build elements and scenes of virtual reality to help NASA astronauts carry out extravehicular research on the Martian ground in the future XR is extended reality, which can be translated into extended reality. It refers to a real and virtual combination of human-computer interaction environment generated by computer technology and wearable devices.
Marsxr is a virtual reality (VR) simulator jointly developed by NASA with business partners buendea and Epic Games. The system is built by Epic Games' unreal engine 5 (ue5). The simulator can be used to simulate life on Mars and harsh Martian environment, including day and night alternating Martian day, changing weather conditions, Martian gravity environment, Martian probe and terrain of more than 400 square kilometers.
NASA said that by developing a realistic Mars simulator, it can prepare astronauts for future extravehicular activities on Mars.
As a partner in this project, buendea is a team committed to innovating and breaking through real-time graphics technology for XR scenes, training and education. Game production team Epic Games announced in April 2022 that fantasy engine 5 was officially launched and open for download. Tencent, MIHA tour, Game Science, perfect world and other domestic game companies have also become their partners.
"Developers can use the unreal engine to create realistic simulation scenes to help NASA prepare for future missions, whether to the moon or Mars." SEB loze, director of virtual engine business of Epic Games, said: "whether you are a game designer, architect, amateur or rocket scientist, anyone can build with ue5. We can't wait to see the immersive Mars simulation launched by the community."
The above-mentioned competition is open to adults over the age of 18, and individuals or groups can participate. Twenty participants will be selected as winners to share a $70000 bonus.