Partnership Updates

YBVR BUILDING THE METAVERSE OF SPORTS WITH 5G TECHNOLOGY IN CANADA

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Telus Ventures

YBVR accelerates deployment of Sports Metaverse with additional funding from TELUS Ventures SAN JOSE, Calif. – July, 2022 – YBVR, the global leader on Immersive Live Sports[1] streaming, announced additional funding from Telus Ventures, to advance the introduction of fully immersive Sports Metaverse services to Canada. The investment provides a boost to scale and deploy the technology across Canada, creating a major milestone for the company. TELUS Ventures’ investment comes to YBVR on top of previous investments from Verizon and Telefonica,[3] reinforcing YBVR’s research and development across 5G/MEC and low latency video technology. “YBVR is looking forward to partnering with TELUS for the next-generation of Live Sports streaming, bringing the tech that will make the Metaverse of Sports a marketplace for fans to enjoy and for the industry to monetize the value created around the sport,” said Hector Prieto, Cofounder and CEO of YBVR. “With TELUS’ 5G/MEC capabilities, we will ensure fans are closer to live sports emotions, whether remote or in-venue, providing immersive experiences with sub-second latencies.” In Canada, YBVR will deploy the next-generation VR technology for streaming live immersive sports and music events with unparalleled quality across devices that is yet to be experienced. “We are excited to be working with YBVR on growing the role of virtual reality experiences in live entertainment and leveraging our world-leading network to connect audiences with interactive and accessible content from around the globe,” said Mario Mele, Vice-president, TELUS Ventures. “At TELUS Ventures we value the role technology plays in our day-to-day lives and are looking forward to working further with this innovative Silicon Valley based startup.” About YBVR YBVR is re-defining the way fans experience live sports. Fans can now experience the magic of ‘being there’ from anywhere. YBVR tech enables a new immersive and interactive dialogue with sport fans, especially the new generations, engaging from home and in-venue. YBVR cloud-based tech empowers sport and music event organizers/right-holders with new assets for engagement and monetization. Fans can decide when, how, what and with whom to enjoy live streaming with premium viewing experiences, in real-time, and across devices. YBVR’s technology provides high-quality 360-degree live streams in 8K with patented Field-of-View optimization that consumes up to 80 per cent less bandwidth. YBVR headquarters are in California, with commercial presence in six markets. YBVR is the leader in immersive sports tech, already trusted by Wimbledon, Australian Open, Real Madrid, Fan Controlled Football, Euroleague Basketball and a number of other relevant players in the sports industry as well as Verizon, TELUS, Singtel and Telefonica. YBVR is embarking on their Series A raise to continue their leadership position in the market and capture the massive Sports Metaverse opportunity while building additional partnerships with major players. About TELUS Ventures As the strategic investment arm of TELUS Corporation (TSX: T, NYSE: TU), TELUS Ventures is one of Canada’s most active corporate venture capital funds. TELUS Ventures invests globally in companies from Seed to Pre-IPO with a focus on innovative technologies such as AgTech, HealthTech, Connected Consumer, IoT, AI, and Security to actively drive new solutions across the TELUS ecosystem. Led by a team of experienced operators, investors and executives, the Ventures team is passionate about creating positive social impact through financial tools and has invested in more than 100 companies since inception. For more information please visit ventures.telus.com.

YBVR joins the industrial world with the support of EU H2020 5G-INDUCE project

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5G Induce

As previously announced, YBVR is working with the support of EU H2020 5G-INDUCE project to develop applications for industrial environments to grow the industry 4.0. Within this project YBVR has developed a use case that aims to offer industrial improvements using 5G infrastructures to help factories to have safer and more efficient working environments. This use case, developed by YBVR, joins the monitoring of the industrial environment with the new possibilities of the immersive reality. This goal will be achieved through the installation of 360° cameras in an AGV (Auto Guided Vehicle) and connecting these cameras with 5G technology. This will provide near real-time 360° images of the environment to the person operator responsible for monitoring the AGVs, getting access to a direct view around of the AGV anywhere and whenever he needs them. Additionally, real-time data collected from the AGV and the 5G network are displayed overlayed on the immersive view, to help the operator for quicker troubleshooting. In the development of the use case, YBVR has collaborated with large companies, like Ericsson, which is providing the 5G infrastructure, Ford, offering the Motors factory of Valencia where the use case is deployed, and ASTI Mobile Robotics, the manufacturer of the AGVs, other startups are contributed to the use case, as FiveComm, that has developed the 5G modem which will provide the 5G connectivity of the 360°camera. Below, you can find a picture with the description of this use case. After of being working on the development of the NetApp that offers this use case for more than one year, recently the first proof of concept was deployed and tested successfully in the 5TONIC facilities of IMDEA Networks in Madrid. The next step will be to test this NetApp at the Ford Motors factory in Valencia where a part of the 5G infrastructure of the 5G-INDUCE project is being deployed.

NOS gives “5G seat” at Luz Stadium to children from the Benfica Foundation with YBVR technology

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Benfica

5G immersive camera installed in seat 5 of row G of the central stand of the Sport Lisboa e Benfica stadium transmitted the game directly to the children’s VR glasses. Children who had never been to the Sport Lisboa e Benfica stadium saw the Benfica-Marítimo match as if they were really there. Using 5G technology and virtual reality glasses, it was possible to reduce the more than 340 kilometers that separate Paredes from Lisbon, allowing the mini fans to live the 90 minutes fully immersed in the game and interact with reality in the stands. For that, a Panasonic BGH-1 camera was placed in Seat 5, row G of the Stadium, which broadcast the game live to the Oculus Quest 2 used by the children and other fans that were in the Benfica House of Paredes. The ultra-fast speeds of NOS’ 5G, as well as its low latency and the YBVR streaming technology, ensured an immersive experience very close to reality. For Daniel Beato, Director of NOS for the consumer area, “the role of NOS is to bring the benefits of the fifth generation mobile network to all the Portuguese. With this initiative we show the positive impact that 5G can have on the life of all of us, as an enabler of unique experiences, which will remain forever in the memory of those who live them. That’s what we work for every day”. According to Carlos Moia, Executive President of the Benfica Foundation, “for us it is very important to be close to all the fans, especially those who, for various reasons, have not had the opportunity to attend a game of their team in its stadium. The Benfica Foundation develops several Social Responsibility projects in different areas of intervention, namely the “For you if you don’t miss it!”, which aims to empower and combat absenteeism and school dropout, using sports as a tool for inclusion.

5G set to transform Ford’s factory in Valencia with automotive industrial innovation

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Ford Automotive 5G

– Ford’s Valencia Engine Plant, ASTI Mobile Robotics, Ericsson, Fivecomm, YBVR and INTEL partner for jointly innovating in automotive industrial applications enabled by 5G. – The latest 5G technology and innovations in mobile robotics, Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence will be deployed and validated at Ford Motors factory in Valencia with the support of EU H2020 5G-INDUCE project 5G-INDUCE is a new project of the third phase of the H2020 5G Infrastructure Public-Private Partnership (5G-PPP) initiative of the European Commission and European ICT industry to deliver innovative 5G solutions. The project focuses on the Industry 4.0 vertical sector, as one of the fastest growing and most impactful sectors in European economy with high potential for novel virtualized application software developments leveraging 5G architecture. With major European industrial players involved in the project, 5G INDUCE selected Ford factory in Valencia as its base for experimentation in Spain. In addition to Ford and Ericsson, the consortium in charge of 5G-INDUCE pilot in Valencia is formed by high-tech SMEs ASTI Mobile Robotics, Fivecomm, and Yerba Buena Virtual Reality, and it also counts with the support of Intel, Gestoos, University of Burgos, and Universitat Politecnica de Valencia. The 5G-INDUCE project addresses specific needs that have been identified for connectivity and modernization of the Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) fleet that would allow optimizing some of the processes of the logistics distribution chain for items, among and within Ford factory’s warehouses. With that objective, three use cases are going to be implemented and tested at Ford’s factory in Valencia within the scope of the 5G-INDUCE project: autonomous AGV fleet management; smart AGV operation based on human gesture recognition; and Virtual Reality (VR) immersion of AGVs’ control. “New technologies can result in an improvement in production line efficiency, thus increasing innovation capacity. This is essential given today’s competitive environment. 5G is an instrumental tool to help us achieve this objective.” states Alejandro del Portillo, from the Manufacturing Engineering and New Technologies Department at FORD’s Valencia Engine Plant. Ericsson’s Radio Access Network (RAN) and Core solutions for 5G standalone New Radio (NR) will be deployed at Ford’s Valencia Engine Plant factory for supporting the innovation and experimentation activities of all partners involved. The solution leverages and extends the 5G assets of Ericsson at 5TONIC co-creation laboratory, the open research and innovation lab for 5G technologies founded by Telefónica and IMDEA Networks. Intel, also 5TONIC member, will contribute to the project with its edge computing technologies, expertise and innovation ecosystem. “The potential of 5G technology is being unlocked as digitalization of Industries is advancing and as more and more complementary players partner for shaping new innovation ecosystems for delivering complete solutions” says Manuel Lorenzo, Head of Technology and Innovation at Ericsson Spain. “5G-INDUCE ecosystem is a great example of this momentum, gathering world-class innovation in Industry 4.0, robotics, 5G, edge computing, VR and AI, and counting on the support of the EU 5G-PPP program. Ericsson is glad to contribute with our technology and expertise in 5G solutions to the success of this initiative.” Ford of Europe is responsible for producing, selling and servicing Ford brand vehicles in 50 individual markets and employs approximately 45,000 employees at its wholly-owned facilities and consolidated joint ventures and approximately 59,000 people when unconsolidated businesses are included. In addition to Ford Motor Credit Company, Ford Europe operations include Ford Customer Service Division and 19 manufacturing facilities (12 wholly-owned facilities and seven unconsolidated joint venture facilities). The first Ford cars were shipped to Europe in 1903 – the same year Ford Motor Company was founded. European production started in 1911. www.ford.es Ericsson enables communications service providers to capture the full value of connectivity. The company’s portfolio spans Networks, Digital Services, Managed Services, and Emerging Business and is designed to help our customers go digital, increase efficiency and find new revenue streams. Ericsson’s investments in innovation have delivered the benefits of telephony and mobile broadband to billions of people around the world. The Ericsson stock is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm and Nasdaq New York. www.ericsson.com ASTI Mobile Robotics is involved in the engineering and development of made-to-measure solutions for logistics. ASTI activity goes from the project analysis in material handling and internal logistics to the development, manufacture and starting up of the designed solutions, as well as all the maintenance along the installation life. ASTI is the European leader in manufacturing auto‐guided vehicles (AGV). ASTI has developed its own range of AGVs, to transport all kind of loads at various heights, with various guiding systems according to the application to automate and in different environments. www.astimobilerobotics.com FIVECOMM is a Spanish SME based in Valencia, founded in 2019 by 5G experts. The company is oriented to the development and implementation of 5G solutions for Industry 4.0 and other verticals. Their focus is the innovation, design, integration and commercialization of products and services that make use of 5G. FIVECOMM is currently working in the following lines: autonomous and remote driving for robots and vehicles; artificial intelligence; radio planning; edge computing platforms; and 5G modems. www.fivecomm.eu YBVR, based in Silicon Valley and Madrid, is a technology start-up building the next generation VR video distribution platform. The company specializes in providing the best immersion experience for video VR streaming for all devices and is searching for all new possibilities opened by 5G to improve the VR experience. www.ybvr.com Gestoos is a leading provider of activity recognition and spatial interaction software with offices in San Francisco and Barcelona. The company’s core product is a computer vision-based artificial intelligence solution that enables camera (sensor) equipped devices detect, understand and respond to human gestures, movements and activities. Gestoos’ patented technology not only improves intentional interaction but also increases safety through monitoring and anomaly detection. www.gestoos.com Universidad de Burgos (UBU) is a medium-sized Spanish university located in Burgos, Castilla y León (Spain) with over 7,500 students and 83 research groups. According to BBVA´s Foundation U-Ranking 2020, UBU ranks sixth among the 84 Spanish universities for its research and innovation performance indicators. 5G-INDUCE activities … Read more

YBVR secures $1.5M in financing from Verizon Ventures, TCA and Wayra (Telefonica)

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YBVR Euroleague Shot

XR video platform to accelerate deployment of 360-degree immersive video streaming with 5G and edge compute capabilities SAN JOSE, Calif. – February 17, 2021 – YBVR, a next-generation XR video distribution platform, today announced a $1.5 million Pre-Series A funding round with participation from Verizon Ventures, Telefonica’s Wayra and Tech Coast Angels. The funding will be used to advance the company’s technology, build its team and further key partnerships. With 360-degree streaming, YBVR’s video platform significantly enhances the virtual viewing experience. The investment marks a significant inflection point for the company, as it will be able to live stream 8K ultra-high-definition video with next-generation technologies for a premium experience across devices with a sub-second latency. “We are grateful to our investors for boosting YBVR’s growth and scale,” said Hector Prieto, Co-founder and CEO of YBVR. “We are committed to our customers and partners, with a focus on monetizing experiential immersive sports and music events to create transformative value and sustainability in society.” Currently used to broadcast events such as Australian Open 2021 in Melbourne, Fan Controlled Football Season 2021 in Atlanta, and Euroleague Basketball F4 in Cologne, Germany, YBVR provides a fully immersive viewing experience for sports fans and concert goers across the world using any connected device. Ultra-low latency allows for viewers to simultaneously select from various camera angles for a personalized spectator experience. YBVR is able to provide instantaneous streaming through deployment on a previously announced AWS Wavelength with Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband network. Mobile edge compute provides the bandwidth needed for wireless data transfer from 360-degree cameras to consumer devices, in real time. “YBVR’s immersive streaming platform offers an unparalleled experience to viewers who cannot be present in-person, allowing anyone to access a game or concert in a very real way,” said Kristina Serafim, Managing Director at Verizon Ventures. “Verizon Ventures is excited to help support YBVR’s growth. With 5G and mobile edge compute, immersive streaming has the potential to transform the sports and entertainment industries.” “New video formats such 8K, VR and 360-degree video are becoming a reality. Telefonica wants to be at the forefront of such technology, which means not only developing new services and video content but also being prepared to invest in startups such as YBVR, with whom we have already produced the first 360-degree immersive musical experience with edge computing technology,” said Paloma Castellano, Managing Director of Wayra in Madrid. During 2021, YBVR will stream more than 300 hours of live international bowling content in partnership with the International Bowling Federation (IBF), allowing millions of fans to actively participate in multiple major bowling events throughout the year, regardless of COVID-related distance and mobility restrictions. About YBVR YBVR is re-defining the way fans experience live sports and engage at home, in mobility and in stadium. Even without being in-venue, fans now can experience the magic of ‘being there’. YBVR tech enables a new immersive & interactive dialogue with sport fans, especially the new generations. YBVR cloud-based tech empowers sport and music event organizers and right holders with new assets for monetization. Fans can decide when, how, what and with whom to enjoy live streams with premium viewing experience on mobile and other XR devices in real-time. Multi-camera viewing, zero-buffering camera changes, immersive replay and co-viewing are just a few features fans will never want to miss again. YBVR headquarters are in California with development team in Madrid and commercial presence in Japan and Australia. About Verizon Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) was formed on June 30, 2000 and is one of the world’s leading providers of technology, communications, information and entertainment products and services. Headquartered in New York City and with a presence around the world, Verizon generated revenues of $128.3 billion in 2020. The company offers data, video and voice services and solutions on its award-winning networks and platforms, delivering on customers’ demand for mobility, reliable network connectivity, security and control. About Wayra (Telefonica) Wayra is the most global, technological and connected open innovation hub in the world. Wayra is present in 7 innovation hubs in Europe and Latin America with a clear objective: to help startups grow on a global scale. Wayra has a portfolio of more than 400 startups and more than 100 are already working to provide disruptive solutions to Telefónica and its global network of 350 million customers. About TCA Tech Coast Angels (TCA) is one of the largest angel investor groups in the U.S, with over 450 active members, with the Los Angeles network (TCA:LA) boasting over 100 members. Tech Coast Angels actively seeks great startups to fund and for members to join our prolific network.

YBVR, Verizon, and AWS

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technology update

Businesses and developers can build and deploy applications with AWS Wavelength Companies as YBVR are already testing their edge solutions in AWS Wavelength zones at the edge of Verizon’s 5G network in multiple locations. Businesses and developers can build and deploy applications with AWS Wavelength at Verizon’s 5G Edge in three new locations: Atlanta, New York and Washington, DC. Verizon and AWS launched the mobile edge computing (MEC) platform last month in Boston and the Bay Area and plan to add five more cities by year end. Mobile edge computing moves the data and processing done by the applications and services we use closer to the end user at the edge of the network. This shortens the roundtrip data needs to travel, reducing lag time, or latency. By moving AWS compute and storage services to the edge of Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband network, innovators can develop applications with ultra-low latencies that will support next-generation use cases ranging from self-driving cars to autonomous industrial equipment. Customers are already testing their edge solutions in AWS Wavelength zones at the edge of Verizon’s 5G network in multiple locations. YBVR is building a next-generation VR video platform and is testing how they can utilize 5G and Wavelength to stream live 8K Ultra HD (UHD) video to sports fans and concertgoers, allowing simultaneous users to choose various camera views with ultra-low latency. “Leveraging the powerful combination of Verizon 5G and AWS Wavelength will enable us to put the ‘fan in control’,” said Sebastian Amengual, YBVR co-founder and Chief Technology Officer. “With 5G and MEC, fans should be able to enjoy 8K live streams on mobile and XR devices in real-time and have their own, personalized watching experience which was not feasible before.” Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband network will enable throughput at least 10 times faster than 4G; deliver ultra-low latency and offer very high bandwidth. Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband is expected to eventually enable 100 times larger data volumes than 4G; and the ability to connect more than a million devices per kilometer. “Watching businesses build transformational applications on the world’s first 5G mobile edge computing platform with AWS Wavelength shows how our 5G Ultra Wideband network matters to customers TODAY and is already impacting how businesses operate and consumers live, work and play,” said Tami Erwin, CEO of Verizon Business. “When it comes to innovating on 5G and MEC, we’re only scratching the surface.” Learn more information about Verizon 5G Edge and Verizon’s 5G technology. For more information for developers, visit here.

SEGITTUR and YBVR explore VR and 5G applications for tourism

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Segittur

SEGITTUR has selected Yerba Buena VR (YBVR) to deploy a VR tourism experience over 5G, included in the 5G-EVE project. SEGITTUR (Sociedad Estatal para la Gestión de la Innovación y las Tecnologías Turísticas, S.A.) attached to the Spanish Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism and reporting to the National Department of Tourism, is responsible for promoting innovation (R+D+i) in the Spanish tourism industry, in both the public (new models and channels for the promotion, management and creation of smart destinations and so on) and private sector (support for entrepreneurs, new, sustainable and more competitive business models, export of Spanish technology). 5G EVE is the European 5G validation platform for extensive trials. It is one of three 5G PPP infrastructure projects started on 1st July 2018. The goal is to implement and test advanced 5G infrastructures in Europe. YBVR is developing with SEGITTUR two use cases related with tourism, video VR and 5G. “Immersive tourism” is the first use case, defined to give an immersive experience of a real event through video VR. YBVR technology is used to capture and replay the event and, using streaming over 5G, broadcast the experience to different locations, on live or on demand models. Small spaces, non-accessible places, far-away events… can be captured by VR video to create an immersive experience. Handicap people, potential tourists or new experiences seekers can be the preferred audience for the immersive tourism. “Virtual tickets” is the second use case to be defined. Limited capacity of venues cannot be more a limitation to sell tickets and get more audience. VR video streaming can give a first-row ticket without any numbering limitation. A congress subscription, a basketball seat, a festival entrance, a traditional celebration… could be suitable to become part of this experience, selling virtual tickets for funs from other places or time-restricted followers. SEGITTUR and YBVR collaboration includes a batch of 5G testing trial, metering how 5G technology can improve the feasibility and performance of this use cases. Finally, all these concepts and technologies will be placed in the field on January 2020 into FITUR, the first appointment of the year for the world’s tourism professionals and the leading trade fair for inbound and outbound markets in Latin America.

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