The importance of innovation in the augmented reality and virtual reality industries was stressed by a leading local business leader at an AR/VR contest early last month in Xi'an.

"That is why we used 'Science and Technology Innovation for Future Life' as the theme of China ARi Augmented Reality Innovation Contest 2016 held on May 6," said Wu Yijian, chairman of Ginwa Investment Group and secretary-general of ARA.ORG.CN - China's AR/VR industry alliance.

The alliance was established during the Augmented World Expo held in Xi'an in September 2015, which was also the first time the AR industry show had come to Asia.

The number of ARA.ORG.CN members currently tops 50, and includes enterprises and universities engaged in AR industrial development and technological research. "In less than a year, the alliance has developed very fast. Everyone has worked hard to create an AR ecosystem and ARA.ORG.CN has done a good job in communication services," Wu said.

He added that the alliance has cooperated with US venture fund Super Ventures to establish incubators to encourage business startups in the AR industry.

An ARA.ORG.CN experience center will open soon in Xi'an and will be one of the world's leading centers for people to experience advanced AR/VR equipment, including the Hololens made by Microsoft, Oculus Rift made by Facebook and Vive made by HTC.

According to Wu, the alliance is also developing a training system for AR/VR personnel.

ARA.ORG.CN will also hold a number of offline activities including an innovation contest, the Augmented World Expo (Asia) 2016, and exhibitions, seminars and technical exchanges for its members.

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