VR has come a long way since the 1999 film “The Matrix”. Whilst the film version focused on an exciting concept of living between two worlds, the reality is that VR is here to stay and is set to change the way in which we live our day-to-day lives, which is something that we should be paying attention to. With the growth in VR and the advancement in technology, what is the future of VR going to look like?
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Gaming
The most obvious advancement in VR is set to be in gaming. In 2014, Facebook bought Oculus Rift, the massive virtual reality system, for a huge $2 billion. There is a lot of money involved with developing and creating VR software and headsets and Sony and Samsung are set to release their own similar VR headsets in the near future, so there’s no doubt that this will increase competition within the industry. With games and experiences becoming more immersive and intense, VR within gaming is set to become one of the biggest technological advances of the 21st century.
Medicine
VR in medicine is something that is already having a big effect on our day-to-day lives. It is much safer for training surgeons and medical students to practice in a realistic environment. VR offers students fully interactive specimens with which they can practice surgery on without the use of plastic models or people donating their body to science. With better-trained surgeons, VR is sure to be something that will benefit us all in the future.
Exploring new places
Imagine how immersive it would be to explore the world through Google Maps? With the rise in mobile app development and VR technology, VR is set to allow people to explore the world with their own eyes – without even having to leave their room. Estate agents would be able to provide potential buyers with viewings around a property or the local area, museums around the world could give tours for people unable to travel there and you could even explore the 7 wonders of the world through Google Maps from your sofa. VR is set to change the way that we explore the world with fewer limitations and boundaries.
Films and Television
Remember when watching films or TV programmes in 3D meant wearing those paper glasses with the red and blue lenses? The advancement in VR means that soon we will be able to be fully submerged in a film or TV programme from the comfort of our homes. You could be watching your favorite action movie, whilst also being able to admire it from different angles. Nature programmes and documentaries could see you being right in the center of the Amazon jungle or diving under the sea.
The possibilities truly are endless when it comes to VR technology. It has the potential to massively change the world we live in and how people live their lives. Only time can tell what impact VR will have, but it’s sure to be big.
What should we expect from VR?
The future of virtual reality is going to involve much more than game controllers and headsets, it’s set to become a lot more physical. Whilst virtual reality has been focused on the visual senses since the beginning, experts are predicting that virtual reality is set to become much more sensory oriented in the near future. With the introduction of touch controls, virtual reality is set to have a bigger impact on all of the senses.
Unfortunately, VR isn’t set to become mainstream any time soon. Experts predict that it’s still going to be several more years before it is a standard.
