Niantic AR Platform and VRARA Insights

Summary

• The VRARA podcast featured Tom Emrich, Director of Product AR Platforms at Niantic, for an in-depth discussion on Niantic's advancements in augmented reality.
• Tom oversees product strategy for Niantic’s Lightship Unity SDK (ARDK), WebAR platform (8th Wall), and AR Ads.
• Hosts Tyler Gates and Sophia Moshasha led the conversation.
• The episode provided updates on AR development tools and opportunities to get involved with VR/AR industry initiatives.

Action Items

(No explicit action items or owners with due dates were mentioned in the provided content.)

Niantic's AR Platform Advancements and Product Strategy

• Tom Emrich described his leadership role at Niantic, focusing on the development and strategy for AR platforms including the Lightship Unity SDK (ARDK), 8th Wall (WebAR), and AR Ads.
• The discussion emphasized Niantic’s commitment to advancing developer tools and infrastructure for AR experiences.
• Listeners were directed to resources for further exploration: the 8th Wall platform, Lightship developer portal, and Niantic Labs website.

VRARA Community and Participation Opportunities

• The podcast invited listeners to engage with the VR/AR Association, access exclusive newsletters, and participate in global industry events.
• A call for participation was highlighted for the “Best in XR Education” at the VRARA Edu Summit 2025.
• Information was provided on how to become a guest or recommend others for the podcast.

Industry Connections and Networking

• Social media links for Tom Emrich, hosts, and VRARA DC were shared to facilitate ongoing networking.
• Attendees were encouraged to subscribe to the podcast and explore VRARA resources for professional growth.

Decisions

• No specific business or operational decisions were mentioned.

Open Questions / Follow-Ups

• No open questions or follow-ups were noted in the provided content.