HTC awards VR projects that support UN sustainability goals

Mobile device manufacturer HTC has awarded its first grant recipients in its program to use virtual reality (VR) to support UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Three projects which use VR to raise awareness of environmental issues will receive funding from HTC $10 million ‘VR for Impact' fund.

The three winning projects were announced to celebrate Earth Day, and include ‘SpaceVR', a virtual reality satellite which will be launched into space next year; ‘Tree' a deforestation awareness project; and ‘The Extraordinary Honey Bee' a project to raise awareness of declining bee populations. The projects will all be available on Viveport, HTC's app store for VR content for its VIVE VR headset.

VR for Impact, launched at World Economic Forum 2017, is a multi-year program providing grants to VR projects in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The UN goals are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. Through VR for Impact, HTC Vive is committing $10 million dollars to industry partners and content developers to create VR experiences that improve awareness, education, and lead to action.

"We believe virtual reality and the immersive experiences it delivers have the potential to positively impact the biggest challenges that mankind faces," said Rikard Steiber, president of Viveport, HTC Vive. "We welcome the first VR for Impact grant recipients who will introduce VR as a powerful tool in raising awareness for the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, and what better way to mark Earth Day than to unveil projects with three unique visions for helping the planet."