Sure, here’s a messy and human-like reimagining:
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Oh man, where to even start? So, I’m scrolling through the news and this one headline catches my eye. It’s about this Australian company… never thought I’d be so into something like this, but here we go. Anyway, they’re called xReality Group, right? Super sci-fi name if you ask me. And their offshoot, Operator XR (sounds like some kind of superhero gadget), landed a deal with the Texas Department of Public Safety. I mean, Texas? That’s pretty huge.
So, they’re rolling out this wild VR police training setup across the state. The numbers are mind-boggling—like AUD $5.71 million. Can’t wrap my head around it, but that’s big money, especially from where I’m sitting, sipping coffee that probably costs way too much.
Their OP-2 system or something like that, it’s supposed to help cops make better fast decisions and work better as a team. Not that I really know what goes on in those high-pressure situations. I mean, I get stressed when there’s no WiFi. And, here’s the kicker, Texas DPS is deeply into it. They’ve got a lot of people to look after, like 30 million or something. Hard to imagine that many folks in one place, but there you go.
Then this Wayne Jones guy—CEO of xReality—he’s all excited, talking about strategic milestones and whatnot. ‘Strategic milestone,’ makes you feel all important just saying it, right? Anyway, he’s dropping hints that this deal could lead to more deals with other states. Like, he’s got big dreams.
Okay, pause. Let’s talk about money again. The first slice of the deal? It’s AUD $4.3 million, covering all the tech stuff and two years of tech support. Starts in Q2 2026… which feels forever away, but time flies, man.
They’ve got some optional stuff that could push the deal up to $5.71 million. Not that it affects me directly, but still interesting! Just last month, they also got a boost—a grant from the Australian Government. AUD $2.1 million for more AI developments. Must be nice, huh?
What’s that cash for? Real-time feedback, automatic scenarios (sounds fun and terrifying), and something about global certification. So, yeah, big moves down under. Who would’ve guessed VR training would be such a thing? Now I’m just wondering if I’ll ever strap on one of those headsets instead of hitting the keyboard. Anyway, it’s a wild ride, and I’m oddly invested in how this plays out.
