The GSMA Foundry has embarked on an exciting initiative to showcase innovation in the telecommunications sector, aiming to counter the perception that the sector lacks rapid innovation.
Through a series of Innovation Spotlight interviews, the GSMA Foundry aims to highlight groundbreaking developments and investment opportunities, with over 700 mobile operators globally seeking new innovations. This initiative serves as a pipeline to demonstrate that the telco sector is indeed innovative and vibrant.
In a recent Innovation Spotlight interview, we had the pleasure of speaking with Luis Ramirez, the founder and CEO of Mawari, a company at the forefront of extended reality (XR) technology. Luis shared insights into Mawari’s mission, the challenges of pioneering in the XR space, and his vision for the future of augmented and virtual reality.
What is Mawari?
Mawari is a full ecosystem and platform dedicated to creating the technology that will deliver the next generation of internet content: extended reality. This includes augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and what Apple has recently labeled as “spatial computing.”
Luis explains, “Think about how we’re currently streaming video and having real-time conversations. We see a future where all interactions on the internet will be in 3D as we move into the next generation of devices.“
The Birth of Mawari
The idea for Mawari was born out of two crucial moments:
- While planning for the 2016 NUTECH festival, Luis and his team realised that creating XR experiences required high-level programming skills, network expertise, mathematics, and physics—a significant barrier for many creatives.
- A collaboration with KDDI, a forward-thinking Japanese telecom operator, highlighted the need for streaming complex digital human interactions to smartphones and smart glasses.
These realisations led to the creation of Mawari, which aims to facilitate three key aspects of XR: creation, distribution, and accessibility for end users.
Challenges and Misconceptions
As pioneers in an emerging field, Mawari faces unique challenges:
- User Adoption: The evolution of XR devices is progressing, but widespread adoption is still a hurdle. However, Luis believes we’re approaching a “ChatGPT moment” for AR and VR within the next 2-3 years.
- Perception: Many people view XR as a far-future technology or associate it primarily with gaming. Luis emphasizes that AR, in particular, will become an integral part of our daily lives, much like smartphones are today.
The Role of Telecom Providers
Telecom providers play a crucial role in the XR ecosystem. As Luis explains, “It’s all about advanced and programmable networks, not just your traditional phone call.” The integration and orchestration of compute power, content, and data in real-time are essential for seamless XR experiences.
Mawari’s Testnet with KDDI
Mawari recently conducted a testnet with KDDI, demonstrating the feasibility of distributing and decentralising compute resources through a 5G network. This test not only showcased the technical capabilities of 5G in supporting XR but also proved the monetisation potential of XR experiences. The testnet included a ticketed event that garnered high satisfaction rates, proving the commercial viability of immersive experiences.
The Future of XR
Looking ahead 10 years, Luis envisions XR becoming deeply integrated into our daily lives. Here’s what he predicts:
- Most households will have AR devices
- XR will be used for education, daily tasks, driving, cooking, and more
- The progression from AR glasses to more advanced devices, potentially even contact lenses
XR will no longer be seen as niche or futuristic; instead, it will enhance the way we perform everyday tasks and interact with both digital and physical environments.
What’s Next for Mawari
Exciting developments are on the horizon for Mawari:
- Upcoming fundraise announcement, with companies like Samsung showing their support
- The transition from testnet to mainnet, pushing the XR ecosystem toward broader commercialization
- Collaboration with additional telecom operators to expand the reach of Mawari’s platform
- Commercial launch of new use cases tested in Japan, showcasing XR in action
As the XR landscape continues to evolve, Mawari is poised to play a significant role in shaping the future of immersive digital experiences. With visionaries like Luis Ramirez at the helm, we can expect to see remarkable advancements in the coming years that will transform how we interact with digital content and each other in the virtual and augmented world.
Conclusion
Mawari’s vision for the future of XR highlights the incredible potential of this technology to redefine how we experience the internet and the world around us. Whether through cutting-edge AR glasses or future-forward contact lenses, the way we communicate, learn, and live is set to be revolutionised.
Watch the full interview here https://www.linkedin.com/events/7229046342810030080/
Stay tuned for further developments from the GSMA Foundry. If you have any questions or want to join this exciting journey, feel free to reach out.