VR, AR, XR and now Mixed Reality at Singapore's Marina Bay Sands

Singapore's Marina Bay Sands (MBS) has added yet another soldier to its tech toolbox — Mixed Reality (MR). This is on top of the Hybrid Broadcast Studio's existing capabilities, which include Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and Extended Reality (XR) and holographic telepresence.

Launched during Singapore's first international hybrid trade show, TravelRevive, the new MR offer will add to the studio's 3D stage and immersive backdrop, pulling attendees into a virtual environment combined with the real world through hyper-realistic visuals.

What's the difference between all these capabilities?

VR is a full immersion in a virtual environment, like VR rollercoaster rides. AR is when virtual objects are overlaid over real-world environment to enhance the experience. And MR is a marriage of both the real world and virtual environment.

“We have accelerated our adoption of technology to adapt to the new environment. We are providing a comprehensive platform for our clients to transit into the hybrid sphere successfully [and] by enhancing our studio with MR technology, event planners will now have an industry-ready solution to capture the attention and imagination of their virtual and in-person audiences," said Paul Town, senior vice president, resort operations, MBS.

Driving deeper delegate engagement, as well as pushing more content
among key communities, Town sees these new technology partnerships as a way to "add value for our clients and their events".

"This is the future of storytelling and we hope to continue inspiring the industry, driving digital transformation and elevating hybrid event experiences."

Since October, the Hybrid Broadcast Studio at Sands Expo and Convention Centre has hosted several high profile Singapore hybrid pilot MICE events, including WiT Experience Week 2020 on 1 October, and the Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW) from 26-28 October.

And it's not all just business, as the studio also hosted its first hybrid entertainment event, launching Singapore hip-hop artist Yung Raja’s newest single and music video, The Dance Song.

Looking ahead, MBS will continue its success in the hybrid sphere, acting as the Global Broadcast Centre for 2021's PCMA Convening Leaders in January. Attendees can expect the same best-in-class technology including MR to support the event, where presentations and keynote speeches will be beamed real-time to multiple locations globally.