ETC’s Immersive Media Challenge judges selected four submissions that best meet the criteria of “a great idea, well told.” Jack Vomacka’s Audio-Visual Animation describes a blend of physical objects and projection technologies that would create more believable LBE experiences. Sam Clempson’s Mind Palace is an AR-based memory-improvement tool. Courtney Zhang’s Affa Streaming AI Experience uses mood detection to make content recommendations. And Lance Newby’s MIC (ML for In-game Content) turns non-playable characters into minor characters who participate in and can influence the action of a video game. Pitch videos and answers to challenge questions for all submissions are posted on ETC’s homepage.

Participants were tasked with imagining an immersive experience that, while not possible or easily built now, should be possible to build in 3-5 years. New to this third ETC Immersive Media Challenge was the question: How will 5G impact the experience?

Senior executives from ETC member companies, including Albert Lao and Paul Boland from Verizon, Tony Driscoll from Warner Bros. Entertainment, Nicole Franco from Sony Pictures Entertainment, and ETC’s Phil Lelyveld served as judges for the Immersive Media Challenge. 

The winners will be invited to a future ETC event where they will be given items donated by ETC member companies. The winners will also have the opportunity to present their pitch videos, discuss their ideas in greater detail, and network with the executives in attendance.