Augmented Reality Focus of Senate Commerce at Wednesday Hearing

Niantic CEO John Hanke, whose company's popular augmented reality game Pokemon Go sparked privacy and safety concerns (see 1607150014 and 1607250009), is among witnesses scheduled to testify before the Senate Commerce Committee Wednesday on the new technology. “Stretching far beyond entertainment, augmented reality is starting to be used today for transportation safety, scientific research, communication, and other real-world tasks,” Chairman John Thune, R-S.D, said in a news release. Witnesses are expected to talk about benefits and implications for policymakers. Other witnesses are Gartner Vice President Brian Blau, University of Washington School of Law assistant professor Ryan Calo, augmented reality company Daqri CEO Brian Mullins and Stanley Pierre-Louis, Entertainment Software Association general counsel. The 3 p.m. hearing will be held in 253 Russell.