Turning virtual reality into applications and solutions for real life is the objective for a hackathon this weekend in Raleigh that has a lot of high-profile support. Here’s a preview of the event in a Q&A with Derald Wise of Booz Allen Hamilton, an Army vet who has real-world experience in VR and augmented reality with a degree in game design.

The Triangle VR Hackahton runs Friday through Sunda at N.C. State with supports including NVIDIA, Booz Allen Hamilton, NCSU’s Global Training Initiative, HTC Vive and many more. (Event details are available online.)

Our Q&A with Wise, who is based in Fayetteville:

  • How did this event come about?

There were several drivers bringing the inaugural Triangle VR Hackathon about. Several of us in the community had a desire to build a collaborative group, focused around emerging technology. Virtual reality is certainly one of those areas that has a lot of interest and with emerging applications.

By using the hackathon as a catalyst, we are able to spark innovative solutions and draw together a wide group of people, representing professionals and students at a wide range of exposure levels.

  • What are the objectives? What do the event organizers hope occurs?

We have people coming together from several different walks of life—long-time professionals in the tech field, entrepreneurs, project managers, people new to the workforce, students. Their common thread is an interest in virtual reality technology.

Our hope is that we see the formation of a collaborative technology community that extends beyond this one weekend. From the event itself, it is our hope that participants learn from this unique, time-sensitive environment and experience how creativity and collaboration can provide real-world solutions. We also believe that we will witness seeds of needed innovation to be further fostered down the line.

  • Why is Booz Allen Hamilton involved?

Booz Allen tackles unique and complex problems with ingenuity and creativity to address the world’s evolving challenges. One of the resources our team deploys is the use of sophisticated technology in approachable ways. Approaching problem-solving through a hackathon setting provides a new perspective to looking at client needs.

Booz Allen is a global company with more than 23,000 employees, and our largest office in the state is in Fayetteville, which keeps us connected to the Triangle. Additionally, we have staff in Jacksonville, as well as throughout the state, providing a wide array of client services to our government clients.

  • Who are the people you want to draw to the event?

There’s a role for everyone at this event: Students who are interested in diving in. Professionals who want to stretch in a new direction. Those in the field who have a passion for mentoring or those who want to learn more about what AR and VR can do. We believe that’s who will benefit from the Triangle VR Hackathon.

  • What are the benefits/prizes for the winners?

We have a series of different categories and prizes selected for the submissions. Prizes include gift cards to area businesses related to the hack. However, the benefits are beyond the tangible. The benefits are truly from the participation and engagement with the community.

We will have opportunities on Saturday for students to meet with our sponsors (Lucid Dream, Augmentality Labs, Booz Allen Hamilton, GTI, NextGen Interactions, NC State University’s Global Training Initiative (GTI), Skema Business School, NVIDIA, Wowza Media Solutions, HTC Vive, Wowza and Wearality). So, they can build relationships with those already working in the field, and have real-world products to serve in their future job searches.

The other benefit from the event will be the network that is formed and the ongoing involvement after this event.